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Pool Equipment Safety
1. Keep the skimmers basket clean & in place.
2. Visible & Electrical Equipment & Wiring including pool lights
in good physical condition.
3. Pump Suction -from the main circulating pump.
» There must be at
least two suction outlets from the pool to the main circulating
pump. Each outlet must have a cover fastened down with screws.
Either one of these outlets should be able to supply the pump by
itself without exceeding the flow rating of its cover. (Many
above-ground pools use the skimmer as the suction outlet and
have no main drain; these pools don't require a second suction
outlet.) Read the pump owners manual for flow requirements for
your installation.
»
All suction outlet covers (for instance, grates, anti-vortex
covers, etc.) must be designed so that they won't trap body
parts or hair. Plastic deck and drain covers may deteriorate and
crack or break from exposure to sunlight or weather. Routinely
replace them every 3-4 years.
»
An emergency shut-off switch for the pool circulation pump
should be in an easily accessible, obvious place near the pool.
Bathers should know where it is and how to use it. Use the
switch in case of emergency.
»
Most pool cleaners and all pool vacuums use the pump suction
to clean the pool. Because of the strength of the suction and
the possibility of entrapment underwater, keep everyone out of
the pool during cleaning or vacuuming. Read the cleaner or
vacuum owner's manual for safe operating information. Never play
with the pool cleaner, the vacuum, or their hoses - they are not
toys.
4. Electricity - Mixing electricity and water is always
hazardous. In a pool situation, underwater lights, deck lights,
the motor on the circulating pump, or any other accessory
requiring electricity may pose a safety threat to people in the
water if the wiring is incorrect or faulty. Read the owner's
manual for each piece of equipment to get information about
electrical requirements. To make sure your pool is electrically
safe, ask your pool builder or professional service person to
verify these points:
»
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs):
The power supply circuit for each piece of electrical equipment
should include a GFCI for protection against tiny - but
dangerous - leaks of electricity to ground ('ground faults'). If
these tiny ground faults travel through the human body, they can
damage the nerves controlling the heart and cause cardiac arrest
(heart failure). A GFCI will sense ground faults and disconnect
the power supply. This protects you from a dangerous and
possibly fatal electrical shock.
»
Codes: All electrical equipment and wiring must meet the
requirements of the local and national codes which apply.
»
Grounding and Bonding: All electrical equipment must be
grounded. All metal objects (ladders, diving platforms, etc.)
must be electrically bonded together.
»
Extension cords: Never use extension cords around a pool or
spa. If they get wet, it's an invitation to a shock - possibly a
fatal
By using a little common sense, taking proper safety precautions
and having your pool professional do regular maintenance and
safety inspections, your pool mechanical equipment should
provide trouble-free enjoyment for years to come.
5. Compressed air trapped in the system
- Water under pressure doesn't present much of a hazard. But the
piping and filtering systems on pools can trap and hold large
bubbles of air until they build up enough explosive potential to
blow the tops off of filters, strainers. The owner's manual for
your filter, and pump will tell you how to safely bleed the air
out of your filter system. For safety's sake, review the
following points:
» Read the owner's manual carefully to learn how to operate your
filter system safely. Never try to adjust or service your pool
filter unless you have read the owner's manual and understand
how to release all pressure from the system (shut off the power
and release the pressure first).
» When starting up the system after a period of non-use (for
instance, after a winter shut-down), read the start-up
instructions in the owner's manuals for the equipment involved
so that you can purge all the air from the system before it
builds up to dangerous pressures.
» Never connect your pool filter system to a household water
system -the pool equipment is designed to run at much lower
pressures and may split or burst if subjected to household water
system pressures.
» To avoid a dangerous pressure buildup in the filter, make sure
that any shutoff valves downstream of the filter always remain
open during system operation.
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