Les, as I understand it, government and their officials have an absolute immunity as to their actions, absent something as outrageous as corruption. I don't think the AHJ has any liability exposure.
As "The Watt" has pointed out, there have been problems with the suction ports (something that never came up with swimming pools); this led to the NEC requirement for a disconnect near commercial installations.
"Commercial installation" differs from "residential" in that such spas are frequently constructed on site, have more powerful pumps, lack the convenient spa-side controls, and even have to pumps and controls located elswhere, and locked up.
