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POOLS & SPAS - SCOPE ITEMS

POOLS & SPAS - FIELD & QC ITEMS

POOLS & SPAS - SCOPE ITEMS

  1. If design-build pool/spa, hire peer review from Aqua Dynamics or Curtis Sinclair (local firm) to check the design from your design-build pool contractor.
  2. Coordinate if pool/spa heaters have gas or electrical feed.
  3. Coordinate points of demarcation with plumbing and electrical scopes both at the pool and in equipment rooms.
  4. Coordinate pool/spa dimensions between Architectural, Pool and Structural drawings.
  5. Buy remote spa controls on timer; emergency cut-off switches with audible alarm.
  6. Coordinate if pool coping is in pool package or pool deck hardscape scope.
  7. Verify that pool is sized for number of building occupants per HRS requirements.
  8. If post tension design, identify any anticipated deflection that could affect the pool (e.g. finish, tile, waterproofing, etc).
  9. Confirm compliance with Child Safety Act (e.g. perimeter protection, fencing, doors with access control, approved alarms on all doors or windows that access the pool deck).
  10. Shower must be located 20’ from water’s edge.
  11. Verify requirement of hose bibs at pool and pool bathrooms.
  12. Pool bathrooms must have proper coefficient of friction on floor tile with cove base and proper drainage, baby changing stations are required as well (one each in men’s and women’s).
  13. Verify the need for handicap access to pool and/or spa.  Rule of thumb at the time this was issued: if transient occupancy (hotel, or residents stay for one month or less), handicap access is required.  If apartment or condo, handicap access is not required.  Be sure to verify with pool contractor, designer, and current laws/statutes.
  14. Verify if pool on grade requires pilings.  If the project is located east of the Coastal Construction Control line, pilings are required by code.
  15. Buy waterproofing product that will warrant against leaking and delamination of the pool finish.  Obtain written manufacturer acceptance (and details if necessary) of tie-in between deck waterproofing and pool waterproofing.  Be sure to have the Architect add these details to the Contract Documents. 
    1. Obtain written documentation verifying compatibility of waterproofing product and finish material.
  16. Stainless steel pools are highly recommended over occupied space.
  17. Buy pool heater vent piping from plumber if not shown on plans.  Exhaust is typically shown, but vent piping is typically missed.
  18. Gunite can only be pumped so high (approx. 70’ to 80’), verify gunite versus secondary pour for pool walls.
  19. Verify if pool will be used at night.  If so, all requirements of Chapter 64E-9 of the Florida Administrative code for night swimming must be met.
    1. For night swimming, overhead lighting must provide for a minimum of 3’ foot candles of illumination at the water and deck levels.  Verify that photometrics meet egress requirements, as required based on Life Safety design.

POOL & SPA – FIELD & QC ITEMS

  1. Verify required clear access around pool (FHA vs ADA).  4’ required at handrails.
  2. Verify skimmer, lighting, etc. are not in conflict with structural elements.  Identify all sleeving requirements.
  3. Verify 2% minimum, 4% maximum slope away from pool/spa.  Slope shall be continuous with no breaks for a 4’ wide apron around pool perimeter.
  4. Any trellis or overhead elements must provide a minimum of 7’ clear above the finished pool deck (allow for topping slab, setting material, and pavers or other hardscape material).
  5. Allow 90 days for Department of Health permitting, then allow time for local building department permitting.
  6. Gutter must be level; HRS tolerance is 1/8” in 100’.
  7. Review HRS checklist.
  8. Follow the National Plaster’s Council (NPC) 28-day start-up requirements and be sure to document daily.  Ensure pool maintenance company documents all maintenance and water chemistry.  This is critical to maintaining the warranty from the waterproofing and pool finish manufacturers.
  9. Verify that the pool shower, hose bibs, and bathrooms are within the required distance from the pool.  Pool shower and hose bib must be 20’ from water’s edge, and bathrooms must be within a 200’ walking distance from the pool.
  10. Distribution of food and drink within 12’ from the water’s edge.
  11. FHA requires a 3’ accessible route around the perimeter of the pool.
  12. A minimum of 4’ wide clearance is required at the handrail.
  13. Verify construction of steps meets code.
  14. Obtain manufacturer’s waterproofing details for treatment of penetrations.
  15. Verify all elevations (structural slab, top of coping over topping pour, water level elevation – this is critical relative to the collector tank elevation on gravity fed commercial pool designs).
  16. All public pools shall be surrounded by a minimum of 48” high fence.  Be sure that horizontal members cannot be used as a step, which would require the fence to be 48” above the horizontal member.  The fence shall be continuous around the perimeter of the pool area that is not otherwise blocked or obstructed by adjacent buildings or structures and shall adjoin with itself or abut to the adjacent members.  Access through the barrier, other than from door exits of adjacent building(s) shall be through self-closing, self-latching, lockable gates of 48” minimal height with the latch located a minimum of 54” from the bottom of the gate, or at least 3” below the top of the gate on the pool side.  If the self-closing, self-latching gate is also self-locking and is operated by a key lock, electronic opener, or integral combination lock, then the operable parts of such locks or openers shall be 34” minimum and 48” maximum above the finished floor or ground.  Gates shall open outward away from the pool area.