How to Inspect Pools and Spas Course

Welcome to InterNACHI's free, online How to Inspect Pools and Spas Course.

Take the free, online course now.

Goal:

The goal of this course is to teach home inspectors how to inspect residential pools and spas.

Objectives:

The objectives of the course are that upon successful completion of this course, the student shall be able to:

provide accurate and useful information pertaining to pools and spas for their client;
describe how pools and spas work;
inspect circulation, heating and filtering systems and components;
inspect electrical components;
explain the water chemistry;
identify safety issues;
list common maintenance recommendations; and
follow an inspection procedural checklist.

The primary focus of the training is on the water and the parts of the pools and spas that move or change it.

An inspection procedural checklist and maintenance schedule is provided within the course.

Course includes:

27,756 words;
student book;
inspection and writing assignment;
research and writing assignment;
61 quiz questions in 12 quizzes;
75-question final exam (drawn from a larger pool);
instant grading; and
downloadable, printable Certificate of Completion.

How to Inspect Pools and Spas Course Course # 3612 nachi.org/pool-spa-course
Activity	Assignments	Estimated hours for the average student
Academic Engagement	Reading online course instructional material at 140 words per minute	3.3
	Taking quizzes	1.9
	Taking the exam	2.3
	Conducting a directed and independent inspection study performed according to the Standards of Practice, including the development of an inspection report	4.0
	Submitting an inspection and writing assignment	0.5
	Submitting a research and writing assignment	0.5
	Total	12.5

Preparation	Studying and reviewing instructional material in preparation for taking quizzes and exam	5.0
	Reading the downloaded student course book including taking the quizzes with the book	3.0
	Reading, research, and studying related to completing the research and writing assignment	4.0
	Studying and preparing for inspection processes according to a Standards of Practice, including capturing and storing digital images with a camera or device, making observations, evaluating conditions, deducing, formulating opinions, communicating observations in written form, attaining competency in performing inspections and using an inspection checklist or software and other inspection tools in producing a report.	10.0
	Total	23.0
	Sub Total	35.5
Overall Total		36.0 hours / 0.8 SCH

And, in keeping with InterNACHI's commitment to Continuing Education, this pool and spa inspection course is open and free to all members, and can be taken again and again, without limit.

Reminder to members: InterNACHI's Code of Ethics 1.10 requires that you comply with all government rules and licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where you conduct business. InterNACHI's courses and Standards generally exceed the Standards of Practice that you are required to abide by locally.

This course has been approved by:

The course covers the following categories:

Safety First
The Basics
How Big is It?
Square or Rectangular
Circular
Irregular
Parts Per Million
Types of Pools and Spas
Concrete
Vinyl-Lined
Fiberglass
Above-Ground
Wood
Construction Process
Plumbing
Follow the Path of the Water
More Drains
Skimmers
Gutters
Pipes
Support
Rubber Fittings
Size
Return Inlets
Water Levels
Valves
3-Port Valves
Shutoff Valves
Check Valves
Unions
Solar Heating Systems
Pumps and Motors
Nameplate
Turnover Rate
Inspection Tips
Electrical
Dry-Niche Luminaire
Forming Shells
No-Niche Luminaires
Underwater Luminaires
Wet-Niche Luminaires
Luminaire Location
Flexible Cords
Receptacles
GFCI Protection Required
Spa or Hot Tub GFCI
Receptacles for Indoor Spas and Hot Tubs
Switches
Panel Fans and Luminaires Overhead
Overhead Conductor Clearances
Underground Wiring
Grounding and Bonding
Panelboards
Permanently Installed Radiant Heaters
Filtration
Sand and Gravel Filters
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters
Cartridge
Pressure Gauge
Air Relief
T-Fitting
Backwash Valve
Backwash Water
Backwash Sight Glass
Pool Heaters
Ignition Types
Standing Pilot
Mid-Efficiency
High-Efficiency
Intermittent Pilot
Thermocouple
Thermopile
Mercury Flame Sensor
Gas Pressure Regulator
Disconnects
Fireman’s Switch
Thermostats
Gas Valves
Vent Connections
Flue Pipe
Flue Details
Draft Hood
Size of the Pool Heater
Other Components and Devices
Timers
Time Clocks
Twist Timers
Electronic Timers
Remote Controls
Air Blowers
Diving Boards
Slides
Ladders
Automatic Pool Cleaners
Lighting
Pool Covers
Safety Barriers
Indoor Swimming Pool
Barrier Locations
Exemptions
Water Chemistry
pH
pH Adjustment
Controlling pH
Increasing pH
Lowering pH
Total Alkalinity
Calcium Hardness
Scum Line
Temperature
Total Dissolved Solids
Testing
Disinfection
Chlorine
Non-Chlorine Shock Treatments
Algae
Repairs Needed
Commercial Pools
Inspection Tips
Pool/Spa Inspection Checklist
Maintenance Schedule

Upon completion of this course and passing of the 75-question final exam (drawn from a larger pool), the student can download and print their own Certificate of Completion, which is auto-generated in their own name.

The student's (InterNACHI member's) information is recorded on InterNACHI's servers for membership compliance verification, and automatically logs completion into InterNACHI's online Continuing Education log.

Non-members may view only the first page of the course.

Members will need their username and password. If you have forgotten your password, CLICK HERE (instant response) or email fastreply@internachi.org and request it (don't forget your name).

InterNACHI... #1 in inspection education.

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Other inspection courses.

Some features which make InterNACHI's courses superior to existing continuing education options:

The course is free for all InterNACHI members.
The course is written in pure XHTML code for quick loading. The course loads fine on old computers and loads fast, even with dial-up.
The course is designed using a hierarchal menu coupled with a sequential page navigation. This provides the student with the option to easily repeat areas of weakness.
The course permits the student to start, stop and restart any part of the course as often as desired.
There are a variety of images within the course, including diagrams, illustrations and photos.
The illustrations can be enlarged for clearer viewing by clicking on them.
The text is integrated into InterNACHI's Inspector Glossary. Rolling over blue-colored terms provides their definition.
The final exam uses multiple-choice questions that reference the images.
The course's quizzes and final exam have numerous advantages over traditional exam systems:
1. The course, quizzes and final exam incorporate built-in intelligence which identifies and strengthens each student's unique subject weaknesses.
2. Not only is each question weighted with regard to score, but each answer is weighted, as well as the correctness of each answer being weighted.
  1. Answers to easy questions are weighted such that the student is penalized, in terms of score, for answering incorrectly, but rewarded modestly for answering correctly.
  2. Answers to difficult questions are weighted such that the student is rewarded, in terms of score, for answering correctly, but not penalized for answering incorrectly.
  3. Answers to questions regarding basic safety, or questions every inspector should know the answer to, are weighted such that the student is severely penalized, in terms of score, for answering incorrectly.
Upon passing the final exam, the student can print out a Certificate of Completion which is auto-generated in their own name.