Monday, December 1, 2014

Swimming Pool Rebar Clips - Expert evaluates suitability for swimming pool reinforcment steel

Not all products are suitable for their intended purpose.  Take plastic clips used securing reinforcement steel for instance.

Plastic is non-conductive


Because the plastic is not electrically conductive, the clips isolate the pieces of rebar from each other.  Why is this bad?

Electrocution.

Bonding grid



An equipotential bonding grid is required around all swimming pools and spas.  This includes ALL of the steel in the pool structure and surrounding concrete decks.
swimming pool expert witness
Non-compliant plastic rebar clips - cannot be used around swimming pools
Using plastic clips to secure the rebar, electrically isolates the bars from each other, defeating the continuity of the bonding grid.

Liability

Just because a salesman demonstrated their ease of use, and said that they were approved by the building codes, does not make it so.
If it cannot be proven that every bar is electrically bonded, then there exists a potential for electrocution.

This is exactly why epoxy coated rebar is not permitted for use in swimming pools - the epoxy (plastic) coating isolates each bar from the next.

Go ahead any use plastic rebar clips - if you want to pay to to remove and replace the entire pool someday.  It's your gamble...

Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal

Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 
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If you want to ask a question of Paolo Benedetti, you may email him at: info@aquatictechnology.com