Pool deck bonding

[raider1]

Here is a picture of a pool deck that I went to inspect this morning. The re-bar in the pool deck extended out past and under the forms for the concrete deck. The clamps were attached outside of the pool deck in what will be the dirt off the side of the concrete deck. Any problems?



Chris

 

[augie47]

I don't see where that would be much different than if the had elected not to have the concrete deck and just had grass.
(You would, of course have your #8 bond, but bonding to the steel would still just be in the dirt)

 

[raider1]

I don't see where that would be much different than if the had elected not to have the concrete deck and just had grass.
(You would, of course have your #8 bond, but bonding to the steel would still just be in the dirt)

The steel is the perimeter equipotential bonding grid and the clamp connects an isolated metal fitting for connecting a slide or diving board. If the rebar rusts away then the connection to the metal fitting will be lost.

Chris

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I agree. The rebar needs to be off the dirt but bonding to the rebar is fine.

 

[Little Bill]

The steel is the perimeter equipotential bonding grid and the clamp connects an isolated metal fitting for connecting a slide or diving board. If the rebar rusts away then the connection to the metal fitting will be lost.

Chris

Ok, fill us (me in particular) in on what all needs to be done here.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Ok, fill us (me in particular) in on what all needs to be done here.

Bill the rebar is sitting in the dirt. In time it will rot away as rebar is not listed for that. If the rebar is used to bond then the connection will be lost over time after the rebar disintegrates. The rebar needs to be off the dirt. If it is off the dirt then it is fine.

 

[pete m.]

As I understand it the ACI (American Concrete Institute) does not condone rebar in direct contact with soils. Of course, this is from a structural standpoint but the rebar will eventually rust away and the bond, as Chris pointed out, will be lost.

Pete

 

[Little Bill]

Bill the rebar is sitting in the dirt. In time it will rot away as rebar is not listed for that. If the rebar is used to bond then the connection will be lost over time after the rebar disintegrates. The rebar needs to be off the dirt. If it is off the dirt then it is fine.

Thanks, I have zero experience with swimming pools and very little with rebar.

 

[raider1]

As I understand it the ACI (American Concrete Institute) does not condone rebar in direct contact with soils. Of course, this is from a structural standpoint but the rebar will eventually rust away and the bond, as Chris pointed out, will be lost.

Pete

Correct, ACI 318 does not permit steel reinforcing bars to be located with 2" of the soil. That is why I failed the inspection, for the rebar to meet 680.26(B)(2)(a) it must be located within a concrete slab with a minimum cover of 2" or the rebar will rust away.

Chris

 

[Little Bill]

Correct, ACI 318 does not permit steel reinforcing bars to be located with 2" of the soil. That is why I failed the inspection, for the rebar to meet 680.26(B)(2)(a) it must be located within a concrete slab with a minimum cover of 2" or the rebar will rust away.

Chris

Were you doing the electrical or building inspection? If building, how do you like to see the rebar held up so that it gets encased?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

usually a rebar is driven into the ground vertically and the horizontal rebar is tied to it. Once the concrete sets the vertical pieces don't matter.

 

[david]

Why is connecting dissimilar metals together ok when it comes to copper / steel rebar why can?t split bolts listed for direct burial with a divider be used to separate the copper to steel connection.

 

[raider1]

Were you doing the electrical or building inspection? If building, how do you like to see the rebar held up so that it gets encased?

Both, I am a combination inspector.

There are plastic rebar chairs or just a chunk of concrete block under the rebar.

Chris

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Why is connecting dissimilar metals together ok when it comes to copper / steel rebar why can?t split bolts listed for direct burial with a divider be used to separate the copper to steel connection.

I assume the copper and steel don't have a problem. We use copper to ground rods all the time.

 

[augie47]

How does one address when the pool shell rebar is turned out and there is no concrete deck ? (grass or pavers )
I know we establish an equipotential bond with a #8, but what about the connections to the rebar ? Make them concrete encase the bar ?

 

[raider1]

How does one address when the pool shell rebar is turned out and there is no concrete deck ? (grass or pavers )
I know we establish an equipotential bond with a #8, but what about the connections to the rebar ? Make them concrete encase the bar ?

That is a very good question Gus.

As far as ACI 318 is concerned structural reinforcing steel must be encapsulated in concrete so that the nearest point of the steel is at least 2" from the earth.

So if the steel in the pool shell is structural reinforcing and ACI 318 is applicable then the bar can't just run out into the dirt.

Chris

 

[raider1]

Update

Update

Here are some pictures of the fix for the pool bonding.

They used pieces of concrete block to lift up the rebar so it is in the slab.

Chris