Pool Bonding covered by concrete without physical inspection. Photos only.

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Grotonbank

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Cortland
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Electrician
I recently bonded a fiberglass pool. We supplied the #8 solid copper around the pool in a complete loop, coming up by the pump.The pools ladder cups were the only conductive material within arms reach, we connected with a split bolt and pool lugs as we always have.The Mason used reinforced fiber concrete.
We've done atleast 100 inground pools in the past five yrs.
I have great pictures to document our work, but unfortunately the work was covered with concrete and my inspectors owner won't accept pictures as proof . Looking for advice for an inspection?
 
I have had some that would allow us to use pictures with some specific rules and some that matter of factly would not accept them. We always cleared it before covering. I know that is not any help but was my experiences
 
Grotonbank said:
I recently bonded a fiberglass pool. We supplied the #8 solid copper around the pool in a complete loop, coming up by the pump.The pools ladder cups were the only conductive material within arms reach, we connected with a split bolt and pool lugs as we always have.The Mason used reinforced fiber concrete.
We've done atleast 100 inground pools in the past five yrs.
I have great pictures to document our work, but unfortunately the work was covered with concrete and my inspectors owner won't accept pictures as proof . Looking for advice for an inspection?
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What does inspector's owner mean? Privately owned inspection company? If so can you hire someone that will accept it, even if that ends up being difficult to find the right person? If a municipal/city/state inspection agency you may be out of luck if they want to be firm on this. Then comes whether or not you were at fault or if the concrete guys weren't cleared to proceed and who pays for what.
 
Grotonbank said:
I have great pictures to document our work, but unfortunately the work was covered with concrete and my inspectors owner won't accept pictures as proof . Looking for advice for an inspection?
Click to expand...
Whose error was the pour before the inspection? (Covers who pays, as mentioned above)

Have you had pictures suffice for inspections before? (Sets precedent for you relying on pics.)

You could ask why pics won't work. (Could be from another job? Are there clues in the pics?)

For this one, your only option may be to appeal to the inspector's supervisor or authority.

FWIW, I ask if pics will do before relying on them, such as burial depth for a hazardous trench.
 
LarryFine said:
Whose error was the pour before the inspection? (Covers who pays, as mentioned above)

Have you had pictures suffice for inspections before? (Sets precedent for you relying on pics.)

You could ask why pics won't work. (Could be from another job? Are there clues in the pics?)

For this one, your only option may be to appeal to the inspector's supervisor or authority.

FWIW, I ask if pics will do before relying on them, such as burial depth for a hazardous trench.
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Good question. We have been through all conditions, no questions based on passed practice. This woman chose not to pay us, is where things got complicated. Now my regular inspector is running?
 
If an engineer was involved I’ve seen in New York the inspector accepting their review of the pictures and writing a letter approving the installation. This does seem to happen in New York a lot, I bet the engineering firms around there are used to having to do this sort of thing. After you establish who messed up , maybe have them pay a local engineer to write a letter. Since you have photos for the review it may be ok even if they aren’t the EOR.
 
Ive hired an enginner, It worked out well for me.
Charged said:
If an engineer was involved I’ve seen in New York the inspector accepting their review of the pictures and writing a letter approving the installation. This does seem to happen in New York a lot, I bet the engineering firms around there are used to having to do this sort of thing. After you establish who messed up , maybe have them pay a local engineer to write a letter. Since you have photos for the review it may be ok even if they aren’t the EOR.
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This is what I would do. It would give you some basis if non payment ended up in court. Perhaps a continuity test video taped or in person between the equipotential bond and the ladders.
Or just bust it up . It's not the end of the world. I hope you got a substantial deposit.
 
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Option that had been suggested in past for this was to have a company with the proper testing equipment to come in and verify bonding and EQP.
Question had been which would cost more, cutting and repair of concrete or the testing company.
Not sure where OP is but a quick Google search pulled up several in NJ that would certify EQ and bonding.

Now AFA pictures as proof, if you're new with that AHJ likely a no go for pictures, but if you've had an established a good track record with the particular inspector I've seen them accept pictures as proof of compliance.
 
Communication gap somewhere with the GC or whoever is responsible for the pool to understand the inspection needed to be performed prior to the pour.

I had an inspector years ago tell me about another pool job where he reminded the contractor to call before the patio went in so he could do the inspection. Well, the contractor never called and the patio had to be torn up. Fortunately it was pavers so not a bad fix.

Try appealing to the inspector based on your previous work.

Good luck
 
Grotonbank said:
I recently bonded a fiberglass pool. We supplied the #8 solid copper around the pool in a complete loop, coming up by the pump.The pools ladder cups were the only conductive material within arms reach, we connected with a split bolt and pool lugs as we always have.The Mason used reinforced fiber concrete.
We've done atleast 100 inground pools in the past five yrs.
I have great pictures to document our work, but unfortunately the work was covered with concrete and my inspectors owner won't accept pictures as proof . Looking for advice for an inspection?
Click to expand...
If you are supposed to get an inspection prior to the concrete pour and someone failed to notify the inspector before authorizing the pour, it sounds to me like that someone is on the hook to deal with the problem financially.
 
petersonra said:
If you are supposed to get an inspection prior to the concrete pour and someone failed to notify the inspector before authorizing the pour, it sounds to me like that someone is on the hook to deal with the problem financially.
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If concrete contractor is someone who regularly does pools, they should know better.

Possible OP's concrete contractor doesn't do pools on any regular basis? Even if told was told, had it in writing, etc. could have ignored it figuring it isn't his problem, though it likely is now.
 
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