The essay that I choice was pool drain hazards. I learned while reading the essay that most pool drains have a suction of at least 350lbs of pressure. Pool safety especially for familys with small kids can be an issue if the child isnt taught the damages that can happen. As a child once myself I use to play with those all the time. I will definitely be teach my chil not to mess with them.
The heating system Im writing about is a Heatpro. The system had Adequate clearances. The area was well maintained. The plumbing was in serviceable condition. The btu rating for the system is 110,000. The unit was located about 60 feed down from the pool area on a sloop.
The image that I have attached is a gate leading to the pool area at residential inspection that I did a while back. The gate did not open away from the pool, did not have a operational self closing device, was not equipped with a lock, and the vertical bars did not meet the maximum spacing requirements of a safety barrier. Additionally, the sliding door leading from the residence to the pool area did not have a functional lock or any type of alerting device (alarm) that sounded when the door was opened.
I really enjoyed the septic system articles and also the septic system training course. There are tons of them here in Texas. I tend to exclude them from my inspection reports due to the licensing requirements here but I do understand more how they work and can answer questions that my clients might have. Oddly, most septic contractors here in Texas wont even perform an an in depth inspection on the systems. They just want to drain them.
The most important aspect of pool inspections in in regards to the combination of electricity and water and the deadly potential the two have together. Special care and precaution should be used by the inspector to ensure his own safety as well as establish the pool environment doesnt have deficiencies that are inherently dangerous.
Providing the client with the assurance of a properly Grounded and bonded pool and its supply equipment is at the very heart of pool inspections. Aside from perhaps the baluster railing spacing and auto latching gates to keep children out, no greater danger exist.
The surrounding in-ground residential pool area with sliding glass doors and screens were not equipped with an audible warning alarms when opened. This alarm should sound for a minimum of 30 seconds, within 7 seconds of the door being opened, with a minimum sound-pressure rating of 85 dBA at 10 feet. For safety purposes, a recommendation of these alarms be installed for safety.
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We often think of gates, fences, and alarms around protecting the pool area, but what about medical emergencies that happen within the pool area? Are we prepared for that medical emergency? Do you have onsite and ready with a buoy, reach pole, first aid kit, phone, or even CPR instructions around for such incidences.
The surrounding in-ground pool area of sliding glass doors with screens were not equipped with an audible warning alarms when opened. This alarm should sound for a minimum of 30 seconds within 7 seconds of the door being opened. For safety purposes, a recommendation of these alarms should be installed for safety.
We often think of gates, fences, and alarms around protecting the pool area, but what about medical emergencies that happen within the pool area? Are we prepared for that medical emergency? Do you have onsite and ready with a buoy, reach pole, first aid kit, phone, or even CPR instructions around for such incidences.
Last spring I decided to build an in ground pool myself, bad idea. Mistake #1 bring in fill dirt to raise surface of the pool deck about 3 feet. Mistake 2 attempt to use pool kit on unsettled clay. Mistake 3, have my wife help me mix 540 bags of favorite with a 1 bag mixer. Mistake 4, install liner by myself. Remedy have cousin (who actually builds pools) walk me through fixing all the problems. I will be draining my pool this week and adjusting the liner, but should have it up and running by June.
Pool safety
Pool fencing should be 48" tall from grade and not allow a 4inch sphere pass through or under any part. Gates should open away from the pool and should be self closing and latching. I bought a motion sensing security light that follows a trespassers (neighborhood kid) and deer if they decide to clime or jump the fense at night. I also ordered a lifesaver ring that even my kids know they can throw it in if someone is struggling.
Pool pump motors are located on the dry end of the pump and convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. A motors main purpose is to power the pumps impeller, which is the device that moves the pool water into and through the pump. A properly sized and well-maintained motor can last for 8-10 years. A single speed motor runs at the same speed all the time. A dual speed motor has two settings: low and high. The low setting is best for basic pool circulation while the high speed setting is great for use while vacuuming or operating water features. Because there is the option to ramp up the speed on demand, these pumps use less energy, extend the life of the motor, and save money on electricity bills.
To understand how a pool or spa works, follow the path of the water. Water flows from the pool through the plumbing, to the pump, filter and heating system, and then returns to the pool. A typical residential pool has one or two main drains and one or two skimmers. The water is sucked out of the pool through the main drains and/or through the skimmer(s). Water it routed through the pump and filter then through the heaters (optional) before returning to the pool. Pool cleaning equipment can be pressure or suction side.
This pool/spa has NO safety features present. Two of the following seven options should be installed to comply with the Pool Safety Act:
An enclosure that isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home.
Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.
An approved safety pool cover.
Exit alarms on the private single-family homes doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning, such as a repeating notification that the door to the pool is open.
A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the private single-family homes doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F2208 Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms, which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared type alarms. A swimming protection alarm feature designed for individual use, including an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water, is not a qualifying drowning prevention safety feature.
Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features set forth above and has been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those features established by the ASTM or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
This pool/spa has NO safety features present. Two of the following seven options should be installed to comply with the Pool Safety Act:
An enclosure that isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home.
Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.
An approved safety pool cover.
Exit alarms on the private single-family homes doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning, such as a repeating notification that the door to the pool is open.
A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the private single-family homes doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F2208 Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms, which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared type alarms. A swimming protection alarm feature designed for individual use, including an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water, is not a qualifying drowning prevention safety feature.
Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features set forth above and has been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those features established by the ASTM or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
This is a picture of my ceiling on my lanai/porch. Just above is a flat roof. About a month ago I noticed the drywall starting to bulge. I got on the roof (flat roof) and noticed a huge puddle of water just sitting there. It had to have been there for over 24 hours. Well the water ended up penetrating the roof surface. Obviously Its been there quite sometime because I had a lot of wood rot.
I read an article on A Garage Inspection. The roof on the garage was poorly put together. Nothing was right about that roof above the garage. The trusses should not touch or bear any weight on the inside walls. Not only that the metal connectors and fasteners were not the right kind. What I also learned from this article is that if a neighbor or client offer some information about anything pertaining to the house you are inspecting. You might want to take a closer look.
This is an image of a pool pump system. Inside this picture, the pump/motor to the pool is leaking water. It is assumed the water leaking is coming from the inlet portion of the pipe and is due to a loose fitting.
I chose a pool lighting diagram to study. I now know that the pool light needs to be a minimum of eighteen inches below the water level. It should be GFCI protected and housed in a rigid nonmetallic conduit unit.