Pool Plans - mail order structural engineering

Mail order pool plans have a major problem... they do not comply with all of the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC).  

How can this be?

Site Conditions

The IBC requires that all structures (including swimming pools) be designed to resist any site conditions and surcharges.  "Site conditions" are features of the location that may influence the performance of the structure.  "Surcharges" are things that may exert pressure upon the structure.

Site conditions can be the downward pressure (surcharge) of a nearby up slope, weakness of an adjacent down slope, ocean waves (storm or wind driven), surcharges of seasonal snow loads, surcharges of prevailing or storm wind loads, expansive soil surcharges, weak or incompetent soils, high water tables or other nearby structures (retaining walls, building foundations, etc.).

With out reviewing the actual site, topographical map (for sloping properties), a site plan and a soils report, there is absolutely no way for the mail order structural engineer to comply with the conditions of the IBC.

Soil Conditions

The IBC also requires that structural engineering be designed to overcome any soils conditions.  With out reviewing a geological report (aka: soils report), the structural engineer has no way to know if his structure will survive.

Soils may be too loose or sand to support the weight of a structure.  The soils may be expansive soils that want to compress the structure when they expand in the presence of water.  The earth may have fissures or vertical sheer planes that will tear the structure apart.  A hillside may be unstable or of uncompacted fill, unable to bear the weight of a structure.

Without a proper, thorough and competent review of the requisite reports by the structural engineer, generic mail order structural engineering has no place in any construction project.

Paolo Benedetti, SWD, Principal Aquatic Technology Pool and Spa 

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