In the article, Inspecting Grounding and Bonding at Residential Swimming Pools by Nick Gromicko and Katie McBride, they discuss bonding pools.They discuss how all metal parts should be bonded. They also mention that, “The bonding conductor should be at least 8 AWG or larger solid copper.” They review pool shells and perimeter surface in this article as well.
I have attached a picture of a ladder at the local community center pool. The ladder treads are a uniform depth of 2 inches. The distance between the ladder treads are at least 7 inches in distance in between treads. The distance is not greater than 12 inches below the deck top.
Pool Circulation Pump: Variable Speed pump is adequate for the proper amount of turnover for the pool, and is set up with a 3-port valve to be able to turnover the spa as well. Pump is bonded, and equipped with an SVRS and is suitable for the application.
I read an article regarding pool safety alarms. One option is a wristband that the child can wear. It will send an alert if the wristband gets wet, so if a child falls in the pool or spa, the guardians will be alerted. It has a high probability of false alarms in cases when the child washes their hands, or gets the wristband wet without danger.
The electrical outlet for the above ground pool pump is wired properly (hot, ground, neutral) and has a functioning GFCI trip detector which has been tested and is working. The outlet includes a proper rain cover allowing the outlet to be used outdoors during inclement weather.
For underwater lighting, a wet niche is located 18" below the water level to ensure that sufficient water is present to cool an operating light. When connecting the insulated ground to the niche housing to bond the housing, potting compound is used to protect the connection from pool chemicals and associated erosion or weathering. The junction box that connects the pool light into a GFCI-protected circuit must be located at least 4" above ground so as to avoid pool water from the non-metallic conduit of the wet niche from getting into the junction box. When installing or re-installing a light fixture into a niche, extra cord is wrapped around the fixture within the wet niche to allow it to be readily removed and placed up on the pool deck for subsequent servicing of the pool light.
This is an image of the fence around the pool. It is 48" high from grade level. The vertical spacing between members is 4". There is a safety gate that swings outward. It has a safety latch installed. There are no defects found.
A pool barrier is required to keep curious kids out of the swimming area to prevent drowning. The minimum height from grade to top of barrier is 48", with a maximum of 4" in between vertical members. Chain link fence must have a maximum mesh size of 1 3/4". Lattice type barriers have a maximum spacing of 1 3/4". The 1 3/4" is based on the size of a child’s foot.
This swimming pool is an example of an algae growth colony. This can be solved by taking a hard wire brush, and physically scrubbing the algae off of the sides of the plaster. Meanwhile, have the filter running, and adjust all chemicals necessary to prevent the re growth of the algae.
A sump pump, also known as a pit, captures and contains any flowing water. They can be found near basements, or in various campground sites throughout the country. They must be kept clean and free of debris in order to function properly.
This is a residential pool near me that I was able to inspect. This was a visual inspection only. The perimeter fencing was inspected and found to be in good condition. The pool was clear and appeared to be functioning properly. Pool items and accessories that were examined was the railing, diving board, steps and stairs, skimmers, coping pool deck and drains. The pump, filter, plumbing and heater was inspected and was found to be functioning properly.
This is a residential pool near me that I was able to inspect. This was a visual inspection only. The perimeter fencing was inspected and found to be in good condition. The pool was clear and appeared to be functioning properly. Pool items and accessories that were examined was the railing, diving board, steps and stairs, skimmers, coping pool deck and drains. The pump, filter, plumbing and heater was inspected and was found to be functioning properly.
There are five types of drain entrapment. All of which can prove fatal. It is important to check the pool drains regularly. You should make sure they are in place and securely attached. It is also a good idea to have a second drain installed in order reduce the chance of becoming entrapped by the suction at just a single drain.
Pool lights should be installed with the top of the fixture lens installed atleast 18 inches below the surface of the water. They should also be installed in a water tight niche to minimize the chance for electrocution. This picture also shows evidence of algae growth which should also be noted on the report.
The image is of double tapped breaker inside a main electrical panel. We recommend having a licensed electrician evaluate, advise and repair or replace as needed, to prevent overheating, and potential fire risk problems from causing damage to the panel and/or occupants.
Backflow prevention is important because of the risk of polluting the water supply system with water that has returned to the clean side after use, due to a siphoning process. With backflow prevention devices such as irrigation backflow preventers, dishwasher air gap devices, and hose faucet backflow prevention devices these risks can be mitigate effectively.
State of Florida Residential swimming pool barrier requirements.
(1)A residential swimming pool barrier must have all of the following characteristics:
(a)The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside.
(b)The barrier may not have any gaps, openings, indentations, protrusions, or structural components that could allow a young child to crawl under, squeeze through, or climb over the barrier.
©The barrier must be placed around the perimeter of the pool and must be separate from any fence, wall, or other enclosure surrounding the yard unless the fence, wall, or other enclosure or portion thereof is situated on the perimeter of the pool, is being used as part of the barrier, and meets the barrier requirements of this section.
(d)The barrier must be placed sufficiently away from the waters edge to prevent a young child or medically frail elderly person who may have managed to penetrate the barrier from immediately falling into the water.
(2)The structure of an aboveground swimming pool may be used as its barrier or the barrier for such a pool may be mounted on top of its structure; however, such structure or separately mounted barrier must meet all barrier requirements of this section. In addition, any ladder or steps that are the means of access to an aboveground pool must be capable of being secured, locked, or removed to prevent access or must be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of this section.
(3)Gates that provide access to swimming pools must open outward away from the pool and be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching locking device, the release mechanism of which must be located on the pool side of the gate and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap.
(4)A wall of a dwelling may serve as part of the barrier if it does not contain any door or window that opens to provide access to the swimming pool.
(5)A barrier may not be located in a way that allows any permanent structure, equipment, or similar object to be used for climbing the barrier.
The Federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act requires public pools to have approved drain covers installed and one other feature (there are several options) to prevent entrapment. Florida law is more restrictive and requires a gravity drainage system.
Circulation / Suction Entrapment and Pool Drain Safety
When using any swimming pool:
If any drain cover is broken or missing, do not enter drainor allow anyone else to enter the pool. Notify the pool owner or call your pool professional immediately to make necessary repairs.
Do not allow anyone, child or adult, to play with or sit on any suction outlet (drain) or wall vacuum fittings!
Pull long hair back into a ponytail or a bathing cap.
Remove jewelry before entering the pool.
To ensure your pool is safe:
Ask a licensed professional to inspect all suction outlets. Ask that drain covers be ANSI/APSP-16 certified and wall vacuum fittings be self closing/self latching.
Replace any broken covers, missing covers or uncertified covers with ANSI/APSP-16 certified drain covers.
Have a licensed pool professional inspect your pool. If it has a single drain, retrofit it in accordance with the ANSI/APSP-16 standard. Options include converting the drain to a single unblockable suction outlet or installing a cover/grate certified to the ANSI/APSP-16 standard and at least one of the following: an additional suction outlet(s), gravity flow system, vent system, safety vacuum release system (SVRS), converted suction outlet to return inlet, and/or disable the suction outlet and provide a skimmer capable of the full system flow.
Post a list of rules and require anyone entering the pool to read the rules. Remind everyone not to play with drains.
Periodically have a licensed professional evaluate and, if necessary, maintain all drains and outlets.
When you have a pool built:
Speak with the pool company to ensure they are knowledgeable on suction entrapment and will build your pool to the ANSI/ APSP 7 standard as required by the Florida Building Code.
Only use a properly licensed company.
Discuss and understand your circulation, drain and drain cover options.
The federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act requires say that as of Dec. 20, 2008 only ANSI/APSP-16 drain covers can be sold in the U.S. Request only ANSI/APSP-16 certified covers be installed.
Types of circulation / suction entrapment:
Hair: Hair entrapment occurs when a persons hair becomes entangled in a drain cover and cant be pulled free. 28.7% of cases.*
Limb: Limb entrapment occurs when an arm or leg becomes stuck in a drain. The cover must be broken or missing for this to occur, but it does not require suction. 25.6% of cases.*
Body: Body entrapment occurs when a drain is completely covered by any part of a persons body and suction holds them in place. 29.8% of cases.*
Evisceration / Disembowelment: This occurs when someone sits on a drain that has suction, and a broken or missing cover, and injuries or disembowelment occurs. This can occur in a fraction of a second. 3.1% of cases.*
Mechanical: Mechanical entrapment occurs when an item on the person becomes entangled or stuck on a drain or drain cover (i.e. jewelry, bathing suit). 5.6% of cases.*
The vinyl liner for this 16’ x 32’, in ground pool has reached the end of its serviceable life and is in the process of being replaced. The vinyl was pliable above the water line, and very brittle below - from years of chemical exposure/ treatments.
Ant Inspection by Nick Gromicko. The article covered distinguishing ants from termites, ant behavior, nesting preferences, inspection techniques, and exclusionary practices for homeowners to mitigate ant related issues/ damage. When inspecting, the most common areas I find ant activity is at the corners of the building (roof drainage termination points) and generally frass is observable best at crawlspaces; areas of poor siding clearance from grade (wood rot has occurred); and occasional nesting in attics (areas where trees/ vines have overgrown). In addition, very common for nesting to occur in the wall plenum where nesting occurs in the insulation - evidence of frass is not always observable in these nesting locations.