The requirements in UL 1261 cover permanently installed electric water heaters, rated 600 volts or less, for heating the water supplied through plumbing to separately heated public or private pools or tubs, in which swimming, wading, bathing, or partial or total immersion of persons, may be involved. Equipment covered may or may not be intended for use with external water circulating equipment, and is intended for installation in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70.

These requirements do not cover household storage tank water heaters or other equipment covered by individual requirements.

A product that contains features, characteristics, components, materials, or systems new or different from those covered by the requirements in this standard, and that involves a risk of fire or of electric shock or injury to persons shall be evaluated using appropriate additional component and end-product requirements to maintain the level of safety as originally anticipated by the intent of this standard. A product whose features, characteristics, components, materials, or systems conflict with specific requirements or provisions of this standard does not comply with this standard. Revision of requirements shall be proposed and adopted in conformance with the methods employed for development, revision, and implementation of this standard.