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The Commissioning Guide

The swimming pool commissioning guide is a point by point guide on how to reopen your swimming pool for summer. If you have closed your pool down over the winter it is essential that when you reopen the pool that all the correct methods are followed.These instructions will ensure that your swimming pool is filtrated properly and kept clean and sanitised:

1. Make sure the pool is full of water, it is difficult to prime the pump if the pool is only three quarters full or less.
2. Remove any debris from the pool with leaf net.
3. Replace all drain plugs in heater, filter, pump etc. Reconnect any pipework.
4. Remove any plugs, etc from pool shell fittings.
5. Select "backwash" position on multiport, prime up pump and start filter pump. Run for approx. three minutes to remove any debris and commence filtration.
6. Following the winter there will usually be an accumulation of dust or debris on the pool bottom that requires vacuuming to waste. Select “waste” position on the multiport and prepare the pool vacuum. The pool vacuuming can now be carried out and the dust and debris discharged to waste.
7. Check pH of the water and adjust as necessary.
8. Commence and follow manufacturers instructions in regard to disinfection routine. This will usually involve shock dosing the pool with the disinfectant before using a maintenance dose and the addition of an algaecide.
9. If required switch on pool heating.
10. Cover pool with solar cover if applicable.
11. Leave pool circulating on "filter".

The Pump Priming Guide

1. Make sure the pool is full of water, it is difficult to prime the pump if the pool is only three quarters full or less.
2. Close all valves in front of pump.
3. Set the multiport to "waste" (or backwash).
4. Remove the top of the coarse strainer and fill to the top with water. Replace top firmly.
5. Switch on the pump and immediately open one of the valves (usually the sump valve). After a minute or two the pump should start pumping and the pressure gauge will rise. If this does not happen within three minutes or so, switch off and go through the procedure again. When the filter is operating satisfactorily with this one valve open the second valve can be opened very slowly. If the pressure gauge immediately drops to zero, shut off the second valve until the pressure has risen to normal and slowly open again. Continue in this manner until the gauge is constant with both valves fully open.
6. If the pump will not prime then there is probably an air leak in front of the pump. It could be that the top of the coarse strainer is not sealed correctly, or the socket union between the pump and the valves not fully tightened or that the rubber gasket has not been replaced in the socket union. On older pumps, if priming is difficult there may be a leak between the pump and the pump motor. A worn pump seal will suck air and make priming difficult and should be replaced.