Above ground pool bonding 4 points

[sclavette]

Ran into an above ground pool inspection recently where the contractor only bonded one spot on an above ground pool, the bracket where the wall connects to itself. The shell of the pool is a steel wall encased in vinyl or something similiar. The uprights/posts were all plastic and I wasn't pulling them apart to search for metal and didn't see a metal ring around the top or bottom.

The rest of his bonding was correct but he said that there's no spots on the pool for him to bond to for him to comply with 680.26ish for the 4 point requirement and that vinyl liners are exempt. But the code says nothing about a metal shell encased in vinyl or something similiar.

What do you do in this situation? Ideally I'd like to see one of the posts pulled apart to show there's no metal parts to bond to. But if there isn't how do you comply with the 4 point requirement?

 

[ICE]

how do you comply with the 4 point requirement?

California Electrical Code
Based on the 2020 NEC


680.26 Equipotential Bonding.
(B) Bonded Parts.
The parts specified in 680.26(B)(1) through (B) (7) shall be bonded together using solid copper conductors, insulated covered, or bare, not smaller than 8 AWG or with rigid metal conduit of brass or other identified corrosion-resistant metal.

(2) Perimeter Surfaces.
The perimeter surface to be bonded shall be considered to extend for 1 m (3 ft) horizontally beyond the inside walls of the pool and shall include unpaved surfaces and other types of paving. Perimeter surfaces separated from the pool by a permanent wall or building 1.5 m (5 ft) in height or more shall require equipotential bonding only on the pool side of the permanent wall or building. Bonding to perimeter surfaces shall be provided as specified in 680.26(B) (2) (a), (B) (2) (b), or (B) (2) (c) and shall be attached to the pool reinforcing steel or copper conductor grid at a minimum of four points uniformly spaced around the perimeter of the pool. For nonconductive pool shells, bonding at four points shall not be required.
(a) Structural Reinforcing Steel. Structural reinforcing steel shall be bonded in accordance with 680.26(B) (1) (a).

(b) Copper Ring.
Where structural reinforcing steel is not available or is encapsulated in a nonconductive compound, a copper conductor(s) shall be utilized where the following requirements are met:
(1) At least one minimum 8 AWG bare solid copper conductor shall be provided.
(2) The conductors shall follow the contour of the perimeter surface.
(3) Only listed splicing devices or exothermic welding shall be permitted.
(4) The required conductor shall be 450 mm to 600 mm (18 in. to 24 in.) from the inside walls of the pool.
(5) The required conductor shall be secured within or under the perimeter surface 100 mm to 150 mm (4 in. to 6 in.) below the subgrade.

(c) Copper Grid.
Where structural reinforcing steel is not available or is encapsulated in a nonconductive compound, copper grid shall be utilized where the following requirements are met:
(1) The copper grid shall be constructed of 8 AWG solid bare copper and be arranged in accordance with 680.26(B) (1) (b) (3).
(2) The copper grid shall follow the contour of the perimeter surface extending 1 m (3 ft) horizontally beyond the inside walls of the pool.
(3) Only listed splicing devices or exothermic welding shall be permitted.
(4) The copper grid shall be secured within or under the deck or unpaved surfaces between 100 mm to 150 mm (4 in. to 6 in.) below the subgrade.