Originally Posted by
Nick Ostrowski
The line is always get from builders is that putting in the access panel would ruin the appearance of the tile work on the surround outside the tub. Then they try to show you where you would take a utility knife to score the grout and remove the panel (if it actually exists).
Yeah, but ... that's not allowed either.
From the 2008 NEC (but it's been in there for years). (underlining is mine)
680.73 Accessibility.
Hydromassage bathtub electrical equipment shall be accessible
without damaging the building structure or
building finish.
In other words, there must be an access panel, and it must be able to be removed without causing *any* damage to *anything*.