The field problem
High-Rise Swimming Pools
Pools on the upper floors had no dedicated local equipotential-bonding concept for conductive parts around the water environment.
why the obvious answer can be misleading
Water locations require special attention to simultaneous-touch potentials. Lightning, PE faults and conductive building elements can create dangerous local differences even when a building-level LPS exists.
Why it failed
Water locations require special attention to simultaneous-touch potentials.
Lightning, PE faults and conductive building elements can create dangerous local differences even when a building-level LPS exists.
Follow the engineering
Switch between the field condition and the engineering concept. Trace the path and examine what changes.
Inspect the engineering detail
What changes
Provide local equipotential bonding for accessible conductive parts such as rails, ladders, structural steel and relevant services, integrated with PE/LPS architecture and the pool electrical design.
Correction & verification
Provide local equipotential bonding for accessible conductive parts such as rails, ladders, structural steel and relevant services, integrated with PE/LPS architecture and the pool electrical design.
Verification recorded in the case
- Continuity testing and inspection of concealed bonding are required before finishes make the network inaccessible.
- Record as-built topology and connection points.
- Repeat the measurement or functional test under a defined condition.
- Confirm continuity and mechanical integrity of the corrected path.
- Document instrument/setup, environmental condition and test method.
- Close the NCR/case only when evidence supports the conclusion.
References & project context
References are reproduced from the PIS casebook. Select the governing edition and project acceptance criteria before using them for a design. The diagrams explain the concept, rather than define construction dimensions.
IEC 60364-7-702; IEC 62305 coordination where relevant.
PIS reviewed field handbook · PIS-CS-027
View the original social cardThe engineering lesson
Building-level protection does not replace local equipotential safety in water environments.
Take the lesson into your next design review.
