Swimming pool regulations

[coravel]

I installed an in-ground swimming pool in my garden in 1985 and now I am thinking of selling the property and moving to somewhere smaller. It occurred to me that the buyer of my property will employ a surveyor who
will ensure the pool electrics conform to regulations. I can see that section 702 refers to zones 0,1 and 2 but all my equipment is housed in a brick building near the pool which would wholly be in zone 1. The equipment is all specifically designed for swimming pools and bought from a specialist swimming pool company. All the sockets are 30mA rcd and there is also a gas boiler. Can someone please tell me if I am in compliance with the regulations? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ruston]

Not wishing to sound like a broken record , it is impossible to tell you if you installation complies without a comprehensive inspection and test . If your pool was installed by a reputable company it would of probably complied at the time .

Only an up to date test by a competent person will tell you if it does now.

 

[coravel]

Thanks very much Rushton for your lightning quick reply. Yes, it was installed by a pool company but and I appreciate that only an inspection by a competent electrician will suffice. If it complied in 1985 I assume that it's still OK today and that more recent regs only apply to newer installations. Also, it appears to me that 702 refers to equipment installed in the open as opposed to being properly housed in a brick building.

 

[ruston]

But when you get that " does not comply with the 17th edition" on the EICR it seems to satisfy the bayings of the estate agents and bargain hunters. Look out you are in for the long haul.
Take the lighting ( if you have it) for one example.

 

[Marvo]

If it was installed in 1985 I assume extra work was done since and the RCD's were fitted at this time ?

 

[Mr Hehound]

702 will apply. The only pools that it doesn't apply to are those like reservoirs, natural lakes etc that are sometimes used to swim in but are not designated as swimming pools specifically.

 

[coravel]

Yes, the rcd's were installed by a qualified electrician much later. Originally mcb's were installed. But if the equipment is wholly installed in a waterproof building that was built
at the same time as the pool, do the zones to which 702 refer apply? Pool equipment is designed to remain in the open and many pool owners don't have a protective building.

 

[ruston]

It's the electrics within the zones that you are concerned with whether they are in a building or not , if your pool has no electrics it does not need to comply to electrical regs. If it has electrics then it has to comply . If you have access to 702 this is quite clear , whether it complies to a previous edition will not matter one ---- to the corporate ---- pots that will manipulate the price of your property because they have a lever.

 

[coravel]

OK, many thanks Ruston, this is not good news for me and I have been right to be concerned. Not really certain how I can get around this without major works.

 

[trev]

Why don't you get your own inspection of the swimming pool and it's associated equipment done. This will enable you to get an idea of the likely cost of bringing it up to current regs and will also mean that the buyers can't use their own survey report as a stick to beat you with.

 

[Sharpend]

Could I suggest that either some comprehensive pictures are put up to support this post or alternatively you employ the services of a local spark whom would have the benefit of seeing the said install. With all the knowledge that exists on the forum, we are unable to give a clear informed decision. you clearly have some reference material/knowledge relating to the install and the appropriate regs, so I'd recommend a one to one with a local spark(not one from the pub!).
He/she may be aware of something that you perhaps have overlooked.

 

[ruston]

ELV lighting and equipment that are suitable for the zones and 30ma rcd's are usually all that is required , unless you have equipment that is totally unsuitable I cannot see an upgrade costing enough to give you grief. A change of equipment is probably all you need ,get yourself a good local sparky to give you advice.

 

[ruston]

A few good sparks on here are not to far from you , if you are interested in their opinion say so , I am sure they will help you out .

 

[ian.settle1]

£200-300 to have a EICR done compared to what you may get for the house don't think there is much of a choice is there?

 

[trev]

I don't think it would cost that much. It's only the swimming pool he wants looking at.