Grounding of fiberglass pool deck

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brantmacga

brantmacga

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Question:

I've been doing the electrical on custom gunite pools for quite some time, but recently picked up a couple of contractors doing fiberglass shells.

Typically, there is no steel reinforcement in the decks and I just ground the handrails. I have one now that has no handrail, but has a concrete stem wall along the outer edge of the deck that is reinforced w/ rebar. It does not come into contact with the shell of the pool, and the nearest the rebar gets to the outer wall of the shell is approximately 4 feet. I don't' see the code as saying this needs to be grounded to the equipment. Is that right?

Thanks;
 
brantmacga said:
Question:

I've been doing the electrical on custom gunite pools for quite some time, but recently picked up a couple of contractors doing fiberglass shells.

Typically, there is no steel reinforcement in the decks and I just ground the handrails. I have one now that has no handrail, but has a concrete stem wall along the outer edge of the deck that is reinforced w/ rebar. It does not come into contact with the shell of the pool, and the nearest the rebar gets to the outer wall of the shell is approximately 4 feet. I don't' see the code as saying this needs to be grounded to the equipment. Is that right?

Thanks;
Click to expand...


I would agree, only metallic parts of the pool structure, including the reinforcing metal of the pool shell, coping stones, and deck shall be bonded.
 
thanks guys. let me ask you this; if the entire deck was reinforced and you had a fiberglass shell, would you bond it? The rebar wouldn't be reinforcing the pool shell, but it is attached to the deck. To me it seems unlikely that you would need it, but I didn't find any specific mention of fiberglass shells in the code, so I'm wondering if they mean for you to bond the deck anyway.
 
That's what I'm thinking the intent was, as I couldn't find any fiberglass exemption. Thanks for the reply.
 
If the deck doesn't have reinforcing metal are we not required to install something in its place?

In the 2008 code are we not required to bond the water?
 
jwelectric said:
If the deck doesn't have reinforcing metal are we not required to install something in its place?

In the 2008 code are we not required to bond the water?
Click to expand...

We're still on 2005.
 
If the shell is non-conductive you don't bond the shell, but you still have to bond all metal parts and the perimeter deck.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
If the shell is non-conductive you don't bond the shell, but you still have to bond all metal parts and the perimeter deck.
Click to expand...

Don, below is an image of what the pool looks like. Would you have bonded this rebar? It was a fiberglass shell dropped in the ground, and the poured a concrete lip around the top to hold it in the ground. They poured this morning. When we do the gunite pools, the inspector comes to check the rebar to make sure it is all tied; they didn't come inspect this one.

fiberglasspool.JPG
 
yes concrete deck all the way around the pool, but no rebar. the rebar in the stem wall was not within 3' of the pool.
 
If the rebar is in the concrete more than 3' away from the pool that part of the concrete does not require bonding. The concrete within 3' of the pool wall does requrie grounding, and if there are no metal parts in contact with the water, you will have to provide at least 9 square inches of bonded metal in contact with the water to bond the water under the 2008 code. The method permitted to bond the deck is much easier under the 2008 than under the 2005.
 
There's actually 3 possible codes, choose the one that applies in your area
'05
'05 with the TIA
'08

For the 3' paved perimeter it makes no difference which of the 3 your state is on.

The '05 has bonding requirements for basically everything.
The '05 with TIA exempted adding a bonding grid underneath a nonconductive pool shell contour if there wasn't already metal under/in the pool shell.
The '08 is a complete rewrite but basically it takes the '05 with TIA and expands perimeter bonding to unpaved surfaces within 3' of the pool [680.26(B)(2)] and water bonding [680.26(C)].

But there's no difference between the 3 possible codes for paved perimeter bonding. . If there's metal within 3' of the pool, you are required to bond it. . If there's no metal within 3' of the pool, you are required to add metal and then bond it. . 680.26(B)(2)(a) says the equipotential bonding is to reinforcing steel [if no reinforcing steel then the alternate means].

680 doesn't define a structural equipotential grid or define reinforcing. . It only defines the alternate *** if there is no metal structural grid/reinforcing [680.26(B)(2)(b)]. . 547.2 + 682.2 both say a structural equipotential grid can consist of "wire mesh".

You're required to bond the rebar [or wire mesh] if it's within 3' of the pool. . If there's no metal in the paved perimeter within 3' of the pool then you have to add rebar [or wire mesh] or an alternate ***.

alternate *** for '05 is a copper grid pattern with max 16" squares
alternate *** for '05 with the TIA is also the copper grid pattern with max 16" squares
alternate *** for '08 is a wire loop in a specified location, the grid pattern is still applicable for under the pool contour shell [680.26(B)(1)(b)].
 
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brantmacga said:
yes concrete deck all the way around the pool, but no rebar. the rebar in the stem wall was not within 3' of the pool.
Click to expand...

No matter which code cycle your on, the perimeter must have metal in it which must be bonded. . There's no difference over adding bonding for a metalfree paved perimeter. . The only perimeter differences are what you are required to add, a whole grid or just a loop. . The other main differences are in how you handle unpaved perimeters and how you handle the pool shell/contour.

OOPs ! . Had to edit !
 
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