Health Inspectors, Logbooks, Liability & Commercial Pools - Steve & Wayne - Talking Pools Podcast | Lyssna här

Send us Fan Mail

This week on Thursdays with Wayne & Steve, the guys dive into one of the least glamorous—but most important—aspects of operating commercial swimming pools: documentation, compliance, and dealing with health inspectors. What starts as Steve covering pools while his service manager attends a college graduation quickly turns into a discussion about inaccurate logbooks, misunderstood regulations, and the real-world consequences of bad record keeping.

Steve shares a surprising encounter involving a health inspector allegedly advising a technician to record “ideal” water chemistry values instead of actual test results. The conversation explores why accurate reporting is essential, why documenting corrective actions matters just as much as recording test results, and how falsified records can create serious liability issues for operators and service companies alike.

Wayne and Steve discuss the reality that not all health inspectors interpret regulations the same way. Drawing from decades of experience, they explain why building strong relationships with local health departments is critical and why operators should remain present during inspections whenever possible. The hosts also examine situations where inspectors have provided conflicting information and discuss the importance of understanding the actual code rather than relying solely on verbal guidance.

The conversation expands into the growing controversy surrounding Swimply and other pool-sharing platforms. As more homeowners rent their pools to the public, some states are beginning to classify those facilities as commercial pools. Wayne and Steve break down what that means from a regulatory standpoint and discuss the additional requirements, safety equipment, signage, inspections, and liability concerns that could accompany such a classification.

Woof Woof: The Insurance Interlude

In this week's insurance segment, Steve is joined by Pat Grignol of the California Pool Association to tackle an unusual situation involving dog daycare facilities operating swimming pools for canine recreation and swim programs. The discussion explores insurance implications, bonding and grounding concerns, installation versus service liability, and the many questions pool professionals should ask before agreeing to maintain unconventional aquatic facilities.

Pat offers practical guidance on how service companies can protect themselves, including recommendations regarding pool installation responsibilities, contractual protections, and the importance of ensuring proper insurance coverage when servicing specialty facilities. The conversation highlights just how quickly liability can escalate when commercial activities involve animals, customers, and water.

Also Discussed in This Episode

Why cyanuric acid deserves more frequent testing than many operators realize
Commercial pool logbooks and legal documentation requirements
The difference between recording readings and recording corrections
Common inspection issues involving depth markers, handrails, and safety equipment
Why health inspectors often interpret regulations differently
Appealing questionable inspection findings
The shortage of health inspectors in many jurisdictions
Commercial pool requirements triggered by pool rental services
Insurance concerns for specialty pools and animal recreation facilities
Why communication with manufacturers can sometimes be as valuable as consulting regulators
The importance of education and continuing training for inspectors and operators alike