Pool and Spa Inspection Checklist | Construction and Final Checks

What a pool and spa inspection covers

A pool and spa inspection checks a pool, spa or hot tub installation against what was designed and what is required where it is built. The work is usually split across the stages of construction so that each item is confirmed while it is still visible and correctable. A good inspection covers: - **Site and layout:** the position of the pool or spa according to the site plans, all existing structures, walls and features adjacent to the pool, spa or hot tub area, any electrical wires in the pool area, the mandatory setback distances for the pool or spa, including width and length, and the position of the pool equipment and all deck equipment. - **Structure and reinforcement:** the reinforcing steel bars against the structural design drawings or other specified information, including their layout and details, the type of construction - gunite, poured concrete, prefabricated or other - and the soil engineer's approval where one is necessary. - **Bonding:** the brass conduit or other approved material installed from the pool lighting niche, the bonding of the steel reinforcement to the lighting niche with #8 solid copper wire, and the continuous #8 solid copper wire bonding the pool reinforcement up to the pool equipment position, along with the bonding of all metal parts within 1.5 m of the pool. - **Piping and rough-ins:** all piping that will be covered with gunite, all underground electrical conduits, all underground plumbing and gas piping, and confirmation that gas piping will not be installed under any structure. - **The enclosure and access:** the height and positions of the pool enclosure, the spacing of horizontal and vertical openings in the fence, self-closing and self-locking access gates with the latch located inside the barrier and opening away from the pool area, self-closing and self-locking garage doors leading to the pool area, and approved door or pool alarms or approved pool or spa covers for doors leading from the house. - **Equipment and electrical:** the location and condition of the panel, motors, pumps, blowers, heaters, covers and associated wiring, the height of the pool lights and their wiring, the GFI, the junction box above the maximum water level, the drainage around the pool, the pool equipment drain connection to the sewer system, the electrical supply, and the GFCI installation.

When to carry out a pool and spa inspection

The checks follow the order of the build. The preliminary inspection establishes the site, the layout and the intended construction. The pre-plaster inspections confirm the reinforcement, bonding and piping before they are covered. The final pool inspection confirms the equipment, covers, enclosure and electrical supply and re-checks the work after construction is complete. Each item is answered **Yes**, **No** or **N/A**, and the record captures the date the inspection was conducted, who prepared it, the location, the actual start and end dates, and a closing signature.

Frequently Asked Questions

A pool and spa inspection is the process of checking a pool, spa, or hot tub and its surrounding installation against the design documents, construction requirements, and safety rules that apply to it. The inspections cover the position of the pool according to the site plans, existing structures and features next to the pool area, electrical wires in the area, and the mandatory setback distances. They also address the type of construction - gunite, poured concrete, or prefabricated - the reinforcing steel, the piping that will be covered with gunite, bonding, the enclosure, doors and gates, electrical conduits, plumbing and gas piping, and the pool equipment.

The inspections can be used both during and after construction. They move through four stages: a preliminary inspection, pre-plaster inspections, and a final pool inspection. Each stage checks the work at the point where it can still be verified or corrected - verifying the position of the pool and the reinforcing steel before plaster, confirming the enclosure, gates and alarms, checking underground electrical, plumbing and gas piping, and re-verifying the equipment, covers, enclosure and electrical supply at the end.

Checking the installation as it is built means problems are caught while they can still be corrected. The inspection verifies the reinforcing steel against the structural design drawings, confirms the bonding of the steel reinforcement and of metal parts within 1.5 m of the pool, and checks the position of the equipment. It covers the pool enclosure, including the height and position of the barrier, the spacing of horizontal and vertical openings in the fence, self-closing and self-locking gates, and the latch position. It also covers the mandatory setback distances for the pool or spa, including width and length, and the requirements for the pool lights, the GFI and the junction box above the maximum water level.

A complete inspection covers the position of the pool or spa according to the site plans, and the existing structures, walls and features next to the pool area. It verifies the reinforcing steel bars against the structural design drawings, the type of construction, and the bonding of the steel reinforcement and of the pool lighting niche. It checks the piping that will be covered with gunite, the approval of underground electrical conduits, and the approval of underground plumbing and gas piping, including confirming that the gas piping will not be installed under any structure. It covers the pool enclosure, gates, doors, alarms and covers, the pool equipment and its drain connection, the drainage around the pool, and the electrical supply, GFCI and bonding of metal parts within 1.5 m of the pool.

Start with the preliminary inspection. Check that the construction panel is displayed and visible from the street and correctly filled in, verify the position of the pool or spa against the site plans, and note existing structures, walls, features, electrical wires, and the mandatory setback distances. Check the position of the pool equipment and deck equipment, the reinforcing steel against the structural design drawings, the type of construction and any soil engineer approval, and the bonding of the reinforcement and lighting niche. Verify the piping to be covered with gunite, the enclosure height and positions, the fence opening spacing, and that gates, garage doors, doors and alarms meet their requirements. Confirm the approvals of underground electrical conduits and plumbing and gas piping, that gas piping is not installed under any structure, and the pool equipment drain connection. Carry out the pre-plaster inspections, then the final pool inspection, re-verifying the pool equipment, covers, enclosure and electrical supply and checking the GFCI installation. Record the inspection dates and the signature, and use the checklist to work through each item.

Written by

Arne Reis

Founder

Process optimizer with 25 years of expertise, focused on operational excellence in quality, maintenance, EHS, and commissioning. Emphasizes innovative solutions and top-quality standards.

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