Stools in a pool? - InspectionNews

JD Johnson · #1 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:02 PM

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a prohibition against stools in a pool? Today I inspected a home with these stools integrated into the pool. The stools formed a bar area, that viewed a large flat panel tv. My only concern is, that some little kid, (or tipsy adult) jumps into the pool and lands on one of these submerged stools.

So, while I noted it as a potential safety hazard in my report, I was wondering if any one had any code citation to reinforce the prohibition?

Thanks in advance, and good inspecting -

Scott Patterson · #2 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD Johnson

I was just wondering if anyone knew of a prohibition against stools in a pool? Today I inspected a home with these stools integrated into the pool. The stools formed a bar area, that viewed a large flat panel tv. My only concern is, that some little kid, (or tipsy adult) jumps into the pool and lands on one of these submerged stools.

So, while I noted it as a potential safety hazard in my report, I was wondering if any one had any code citation to reinforce the prohibition?

Thanks in advance, and good inspecting -

I have seen them before in homes and in resorts. I doubt that you will find anything that would regulate them and you can't regulate a person's stupidity.

Rick Hurst · #3 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:30 PM

As a safety rule, there should be no jumping from the pool deck in the pool in the first place.

As long as the stools can be distingushed from the surface, I see no or know of any problem with them.

rick

Nick Ostrowski · #4 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:35 PM

A faux stool in the pool got the pool shut down in Caddyshack

.

Jerry McCarthy · #5 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 03:46 PM

My goodness, when I saw the title of this thread I thought you meant human stools and hesitated opening it up fearing a close-up photo?

If the stools are wood they will rot annd if metal rust, so who cares? Looks like another Darwin candidate.

Jerry Peck · #6 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 04:01 PM

To my knowledge, they are not allowed as an underwater swimmer could bump into them, banging their head, and drown.

I'd have to check the actual wording, as I recall it more applies to projections from the walls below the water line, but those stools would create the same hazard.

Michael Larson · #7 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 04:06 PM

YouTube - It's no big deal - Caddyshack (1980)

Rick Hurst · #8 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

To my knowledge, they are not allowed as an underwater swimmer could bump into them, banging their head, and drown.

I'd have to check the actual wording, as I recall it more applies to projections from the walls below the water line, but those stools would create the same hazard.

Jerry,

I've tried to call several contractors that I know that build pools and no one can give me a code or restriction against the stools. No they are not a great idea, but someone could bump their head just as easily into the wall I believe.

JMHO

rick

Jerry Peck · #9 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I'd have to check the actual wording, as I recall it more applies to projections from the walls below the water line, but those stools would create the same hazard.

From my ANSI/NSPI-5 1995 American National Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools: (the bold was there in the book)

5.8 Entrapment Avoidance: There shall be no protrusions or other obstructions in the swimming are, which may cause the entrapment or entanglement of the user.

Somewhere I had something worded differently, but that should cover it.

Rick Hurst · #10 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 06:05 PM

Would a stool though constitute entrapment?

Just thinking here.

rick

Jim Robinson · #11 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 08:17 PM

I think it looks like a great time. I'm thinking about watching the football games or hockey playoffs in the pool. A pool by nature has danger. Diving boards are already a thing of the past. Try finding a high dive at a public pool. I hate seeing America legislate a good time away from all of us. Be responsible for yourself and your own kids. I know, it'll never happen.

You'll want that extra chlorine when you realize the guy next to you has had 8 beers and hasn't left his pool stool once.

Jon Randolph · #12 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Would a stool though constitute entrapment?

Just thinking here.

rick

I can envision someone swimming between them and the wall, possibly getting stuck.

Remember that stupid people need protection too. Now you can't buy a cup of coffee without the warning that it is HOT!

Aaron Miller · #13 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

Would a stool though constitute entrapment?

Just thinking here.

rick

Rick:

That would depend on the size of the stool's occupant's bikini, I think. Of course Peck would prohibit anything that could ostensibly be prohibited. The IBC (International Ban on Concubines) would put the veritable wet blanket on all human activity.

We'd be left with just buildings and vertiginous Jerry sitting atop the tallest of them with his code books.

Aaron

JD Johnson · #14 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 05:37 AM

Thanks for all your replies. My major concern is that this home will most likely be used for rental purposes, and vacationeers often leave their common sense at home, and I just want to protect them from themselves, and my client from being sued.

Scott Patterson · #15 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD Johnson

Thanks for all your replies. My major concern is that this home will most likely be used for rental purposes, and vacationeers often leave their common sense at home, and I just want to protect them from themselves, and my client from being sued.

JD, this is a nice thought on your part but we as home inspectors need to work on what is going on now and not what might happen in the future.

If this was really keeping me from getting a good nights sleep; I would most likely report the stools in the pool and add a section that any swimmer should exercise caution as to not swim into them and become caught or injured.

As I do not inspect pools and I sub it out to a pool contractor, this would not even make my report. I let the pool pros do this type of work as the average in-ground pool in my area range in price from $50,000 to $200,000 on many of the homes I inspect. I have a pool company that charges $100 to $500 for a full pool inspection and they just bill the client and I'm out of the picture so to speak.

Jerry Peck · #16 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Patterson

JD, this is a nice thought on your part but we as home inspectors need to work on what is going on now and not what might happen in the future.

Scott,

????

If you find a 'bad roof' and it is not raining, do you then say that it is okay today as it is not raining, and not mention that it *might be* a problem "in the future"?????

I know you don't do that ...

Those stools *are* 'potential' death traps, just like poorly constructed stairs are 'potential' trip and fall and get injured traps. You would write up a missing landing on a 13' vertical stair run, wouldn't you? Or missing guardrails? Missing handrails? Even though no one has fallen and been injured in that house to date?

Mike Schulz · #17 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 04:13 PM

I believe if you have it posted on a sign you should be covered.
No diving.
No under water swimming at stools
No blowing nose and spitting.
No glass.
No food.
No dummies.

Have fun!