Swimming Pool Expert Witness

A little effort and attention to detail can eliminate preventable pool cracks.

Pipes should be ran OUTSIDE of the thickness of the pool shell.

Displacing concrete with PVC creates a weak plane in the shell. It will promote cracking, much like a control joint that is scored into flatwork.

A 3” pipe in a 6” thick wall is 50% of the wall! A bundle of pipes is even worse, as there will be voids & honeycombs around the pipes.

I realize that no one likes to dig. It’s human nature to avoid effort.

The solution is simple.
Over excavate for the decks & dig your plumbing trenches during excavation with a mini-excavator.

Under floor plumbing should be placed in trenches, under the thickness of the floor or in the gravel. I prefer outside of the gravel to prevent angular rock from potentially cracking a pipe.

This doesn’t take a lot of effort. A 3-inch pipe only needs a 4-inch trench under the shell.

STOP being lazy and creating pools destined to crack along the length of the pipes.

Double curtains of steel, engineered to contain pipes & conduits between the layers of steel are an exception. Free standing or spa walls are an example.

Design your projects to minimize the pipes & conduits in thin walls & floors. Pipes should run perpendicular through the wall when ever possible.

In spas, run your filter & water loops in the thick benches.

OZONE - The INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE has very specific requirements when ozone generators are installed indoors.

If the unit has the ABILITY to produce 9 grams per hour (226 grams/24 hours) then the following requirements apply:

1. Detectors are mandatory in rooms with ozone generator equipment, typically installed 18–24 inches above the floor to detect, as ozone is heavier than air.

2. Trigger Levels: Systems must activate when concentrations exceed the permissible exposure limit (PEL), usually 0.1 ppm.

3. System Action: Upon detecting high ozone levels, the detector must:
Sound an audible and visible alarm.
Automatically shut down the ozone generator.
Activate emergency ventilation (minimum 30 air changes per hour).

4. Sensitivity Standard: Sensors must be capable of measuring in the range of 0-2 ppm or higher.

5. Safety Features: Rooms must be clearly marked with Oxidizer warning & hazmat signs
A manual shutdown must be located within 10 feet of the door.

Ozone Generator Design Rules:

A.,Ozone gas generators should be designed, manufactured, and tested in accordance with NEMA 250.

B. Generator Location: They must be located in approved cabinets or specialized ozone generator rooms.

C. Signage: Cabinets must display a sign that reads: OZONE GAS GENERATOR – HIGHLY TOXIC – OXIDIZER.

How many indoor pool ozone installations comply with these requirements of the IFC?