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RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS

 

Residential Swimming Pool Requirements and Guidelines

 

All swimming pools located in the City of Easley must conform to the following requirements per the 2006 IBC section 3109 “Swimming Pool Enclosures and Safety Devices" and the 2002 National Electric Code Article 680.

 

All swimming pools must be enclosed by barrier/gates meeting the requirements of the above referenced codes prior to being filled with water. All barrier/gates will be inspected at the time of the final pool inspection. A final inspection will not be performed until these requirements are in place. This web page is to be used only as a guideline and is not intended to be all inclusive.

 

If the installation of the fence is by any one other than the permit holder, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to make sure that the fence is in place before the final inspection is done and that it meets all requirements.

If the electrical work is done by someone other than the pool company, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure that the electrician obtains a building permit to do this work.

 

 

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the issuance of fines.

  • A permit is required prior to beginning construction or installing pool. The City of Easley permits both above-ground and in-ground pools. 

  • Receptacles on the property shall be located at least 10 feet from the inside walls of the pool.

  • Where a permanently installed pool is located at a dwelling unit, at least one 125-volt receptacle shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from and not more than 20 feet from the inside wall of the pool.

  • All 125-volt receptacles located within 20 feet of the inside walls of a pool shall be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.

  • Lighting fixtures, lighting outlets, and ceiling fans shall not be installed over the pool or over the area extending 5 feet horizontally from the inside walls of a pool unless no part of the lighting fixture or ceiling fan is less than 12 feet above the maximum water level.

  • Lighting fixtures and lighting outlets installed in the area extending between 5 feet and 10 feet horizontally from the inside walls of a pool shall be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter unless installed 5 feet above the maximum water level and rigidly attached to the structure adjacent to enclosing the pool.

  • The following parts shall be bonded together for protection against electrical shock:

    • a. All metallic parts of the pool structure, including the reinforcing metal of the pool shell, coping stones, and deck

    • b. All forming shells and mounting brackets of a no-niche fixture.

    • c. All metal fittings within or attached to the pool structure.

    • d. Metal parts of electrical equipment associated with pool water circulating system, including pump motors.

    • e. Metal parts of equipment associated with pool covers, including electric motors.

    • f. Metal-sheathed cables and raceways, metal piping, and all fixed metal parts that are within 5 feet horizontally of the inside walls of the pool and within 12 feet above the maximum water level of the pool, or any observation stands, towers, or platforms, or from any diving structures, and that are not separated from the pool by a permanent barrier.

  • Steel tie wires shall be considered suitable for bonding the reinforced steel together.

  • Welding or special clamps shall not be required. These tie wires shall be made tight. These parts shall be connected to a common bonding grid with a solid, copper conductor, insulated, covered, or bare, not smaller than No. 8. Connection shall be made by pressure connectors or clamps of stainless steel, brass, copper, or copper alloy. The common bonding grid shall be permitted to be any of the following:

    • a. The structural reinforcing steel of a concrete pool where the reinforcing rods are bonded together by steel tie wires or the equivalent.

    • b. The wall of a bolted or welded metal pool

    • .c. A solid, copper conductor, insulated, covered or bare, not smaller than No. 8.

  • The following equipment shall be grounded:

    • a. Wet-niche and no-niche underwater lighting fixtures.

    • b. Dry-niche underwater lighting fixtures.

    • c. All electrical equipment located within 5 feet of the inside wall of the pool.

    • d. All electrical equipment associated with the re-circulating system of the pool.

    • e. Junction boxes.

    • f. Transformer enclosures.

    • g. Ground-fault circuit interrupters.

    • h. Panel boards that are not part of the service equipment and that supply any electrical equipment associated with the pool.

  • The following areas require ground fault circuit interrupters

    • ​​a. All outside outlets require GFCI protection.

    • b. Lighting fixtures and lighting outlets installed in the area extending between 5 feet and 10 feet from the inside wall of the pool.

    • c. Power for a water pump motor.

    • d. In the branch circuit supplying fixtures operating at more than 15 volts.

    • e. Underwater lighting fixtures operating at more than 15 volts.

    • f. Electrical equipment including power supply cords (on storable pools_.

  • All in-ground and above-ground pools shall be completely enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet in height or a screen enclosure. Openings in the fence shall not permit the passage of a 4” diameter sphere. The fence or screen enclosure shall be equipped with self-latching and self-closing gates. The fence MUST be in place at the time the pool is filled with water.

 

NOTE: This is only a partial list of things required for an inspection and should not be construed as being all-inclusive.

 

NUISANCES

**The following information regarding “pool maintenance” has been abstracted from the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code, which you may see in it’s entirety by clicking on the ordinance.

 

SECTION 303

 

SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS AND HOT TUBS

 

303.1 Swimming pools.

Swimming pools shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair.

 

303.2 Enclosures.

Private swimming pools, hot tubs and spas, containing water more than 24 inches (610mm) in depth shall be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least 48 inches (1219 mm) in height above the finished ground level measured on the side of the barrier away from the pool. Gates and doors in such barriers shall be self-closing and self- latching.  Where the self-latching device is less than 54 inches (1372 mm) above the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate.  Self-closing and self-latching gates shall be maintained such that the gate will positively close and latch when released from an open position of 6 inches (152 mm) from the gatepost. No existing pool enclosure shall be removed, replaced or changed in a manner that reduces its effectiveness as a safety barrier.

 

Therefore, to be in compliance with ordinances adopted by the City of Easley,

  • Make sure that the water is clean and not green.

  • Be sure that if pool is not operable that it is covered or the water is emptied.

  • Do not allow your pool cover to trap and hold water, which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

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