TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS
Julia & Thomas Powers, 6 Chamberlain Run, Hingham
As you learn about the various aspects of this pool and its equipment, take notes on the topics outlined
below. If you have any questions, please interrupt and ASK!!!
Before leaving the Office:
Review your paperwork!
-
What type of service (Sales Order) is this?
-
Are there any Job Notes? Why are these important?
-
Is there any information in the customer’s Pool Profile you need to know?
-
Are there any relevant Service Notes?
The SERVICE notes say to shock the waterfall basin at Weekly Maintenance visits to prevent
algae growth.
Should you be bringing any parts or products to this call?
-
Arrival:
 Where should you park?
~ It’s best to park on the side of the road in front of the house since they have a narrow driveway to
the garage that would be easy to block.

Fill out your Arrival Time.

How does the pool look?
o Is the water clear?
o Is the water level ok? What is optimum level for this pool?
o Is there any algae in the pool?
o Is there a tint to the water color? Are there any stains on pool surfaces?
o If the pool is cloudy or has algae, text Rich (Maintenance Mgr.) immediately to let him know
that the pool will need another visit.

Identify all suction openings and explain whether they are safely covered.
~ There are 4 drain covers in the pool and 2 in the spa, all properly covered.
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TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS

How would you measure and calculate the volume of the pool?
~ This pool is more complicated due to its ‘free-form’ design. This is a great example of why you
shouldn’t get hung up on using exact measurements. The gallonage calculated here is an educated
estimate that gives us a reasonable, usable number, which could be off by a couple thousand
gallons!
You need to obtain an average length, average width, and average depth. To do this, it’s best to
measure the approximate width and length at multiple points of the pool and then average these
measurements. The length here can be approximated down the middle of the pool since it’s
relatively consistent. The width should be measured across the deep end and across the shallow
end, with these measurements added together then divided by 2. The depth should be measured at
the shallow end, and then the middle of the deep end, with the average calculated. Record the
measurements on the Pentair Pool Volume Calculator printout. The website for the volume
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TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS
calculator will calculate the volume, which should then be multiplied by 0.85 to account for steps,
curves, and angles. The volume can be calculated manually using the formula: [Length x Width x
Depth x 7.5 x 0.85]. Don’t forget to add the spa volume too! You’ll need to measure the depth and
diameter to calculate the volume of this round spa. Divide the diameter by 2 to obtain the radius
and then record your measurements on the Pentair Volume Calculator sheet to calculate. You can
do this manually using the formula: [πr2 x Depth x 7.5 x 0.85]

Identify the following:
o type of filter – Cartridge, Sta-Rite System 3 Modular Media 450ft2
o type of pump – Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro, 2.5hp 48Y / Sta-Rite Max-E-Pro, 2.5hp 48Y (Please
update profile!!! Two pumps, not enough info)
o type of heater – Sta-Rite Max-E-Therm 400, Propane
o type of feed system – Jandy AquaPure salt water chlorine generator

Draw a diagram showing how water flows through this system.
Equipment:
AUTOMATED CONTROL SYSTEM / SWITCHES
 Where are the circuit breakers located for this equipment system?

How do you change the mode on the Jandy Aqualink control system? ~ Open the panel and push the
grey button to the left, underneath the labels for ‘Auto’, ‘Service’, and ‘Time Out’. The selected
mode will have its red light lit up next to it.

What is the purpose of each mode?
o Auto – this will run the scheduled programming and allow control of the system from the
homeowner’s control unit (in this case it’s a handheld unit, but others may have a wall
mounted control panel somewhere, access via an internet connection, or access with a
smartphone app)
o Service – this will disable the programming and external controls, only allowing control of
equipment by pushing the buttons underneath their labeling in the control box. This is very
important! While in Service mode, the homeowners’ controls will not work, keeping them
from switching equipment on or off while you are working with it!
o Time out – this will activate ‘Service’ mode for a period of 3 hrs during which the ‘Time Out’
light will flash, and then revert back to ‘Auto’ mode. This is useful if you need to insure that
chemicals are circulated properly, or that equipment is left off, for a short period of time,
but aren’t going to make a follow up visit to reset the system to ‘Auto’.
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TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS

How would you turn the filter pump on/off?

How do you turn the waterfall on/off? How is this pump different from the filter pump? ~ With the
Aqualink system in ‘Service’ mode, push the button underneath ‘Waterfall’. This pump pulls water
in, from two pool ‘main drains’, and returns to the top of the waterfall, without going through a
filter, heater, chemical feeder or any other equipment.

How do you turn on the Polaris cleaner on/off? ~ With the Aqualink system in ‘Service’ mode, push
the button underneath ‘Cleaner’
CARTRIDGE FILTER

How do you clean a cartridge filter? ~ Turn off the filter pump, open the air bleed atop the tank to
allow the water to drain down, loosen the clamps that hold the tank together, and then lift the top
half of the cover off. The cartridges can be lifted out vertically. Be careful lifting the cartridges out
since they will be wet and dirty, making them heavy and awkward to lift out of the tank. Then hose
them off using a strong jet nozzle with a garden hose to remove dirt and debris. It may be helpful to
spray on Filter Blaster or another type of filter cleaner detergent, allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes,
and then spraying the cartridges. Then reassemble the filter, making sure that the o-rings and
cartridges are in securely, turn the pump back on, and bleed the air out of the tank. Make sure to
note the ‘new’ filter pressure!
GAS HEATER (PROPANE)

How do you turn on the heater? ~ This heater should be fully controlled by the Aqualink system, so
pushing the ‘Heater’ button on the panel should ‘enable’ the heater and it should turn on. To turn the
heater off, the same ‘Heater’ button should be pressed inside the Aqualink control panel. The controls
on the heater itself should always be left in Pool On or Spa On and set to 104 degrees with this type
of set-up so that the Aqualink is in complete control.
If the heater is turned off using the touchpad on the heater itself, the Aqualink cannot turn it back
on. If the heater’s set temperature is only set to, for example, 85 degrees, the homeowner can set the
Aqualink to have the Spa heated up to 100 degrees, but the heater itself will shut off once it reaches
85. The homeowner using the Aqualink system will see a display saying that the heater is ‘on’ and
heating to ‘100’, when in actuality it will be permanently ‘off’, or only heating to ‘85’, and they will
call us saying that their heater isn’t working.
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TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS

What is the order of ignition sequence for the heater? ~ If the heater is enabled and there is a
demand for heat (set temp higher than actual temp), the ‘Heating’ light will start flashing, the fan
turns on to purge any gas left in the system and create proper air flow through the heater, the hot
surface igniter heats up, the gas valve will open with an audible click, and then the igniter should
light the gas that flows into the burner chamber. If the heater lights and runs properly, the orange
‘Heating’ light will remain solid.

What do the lights on the heater mean?
– If the ‘Pool On’ or ‘Spa On’ lights are illuminated, the heater is on and will heat up to the set
temperature and then maintain that temperature as long as the pump is running. This pool
needs the ‘Heater’ light in the Aqualink control on as well to enable the heater.
- Solid ‘Heating’ light means that the heater is currently on and heating, flashing ‘Heating’ light
means that it is going through its ignition start-up sequence
- ‘Service System’ usually means that the heater doesn’t have enough water pressure to run
safely, so the filter pressure, baskets, and valves should be checked to ensure that there is good
water flow going through the system
- ‘Service Heater’ could indicate a number of problems with the heater, but if it comes on after
the heater has run through its entire ignition sequence, it’s generally a closed gas line or low
propane in the tanks (this pool uses propane, so check the tanks! If it’s less than 30%, they may
have low gas pressure until the tanks are refilled)
AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANER

How do you know whether or not a Polaris is operating properly? ~ With the booster pump running,
the cleaner should be driving around the pool with its tail sweeping from side to side, and then
periodically lift and reposition as the back-up valve engages
SALT WATER CHLORINE GENERATOR

What is a SWCG unit? ~ A Salt Water Chlorine Generator uses a small amount of electric current run
between metal plates in the “salt cell” in the plumbing to break apart salt that’s added to the pool
and release chlorine into the water. This is an alternate method of chlorinating a pool that can
replace the use of slow-dissolving chlorine tabs.
o [uses electrolysis in the presence of dissolved sodium chloride (NaCl) to create
hypochlorous acid (HClO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) which sanitize the water]
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TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS

How do you test the salinity at the SWCG unit? Record the measurement here. ~ Press the button
that looks like a salt shaker, and the salinity will be displayed in grams per Liter. Multiplying by 1000
will convert this to parts per million.

How do you test the salinity with a test strip? Record the measurement here. ~ Follow the directions!

Compare the results of the two tests above. What should you do if they differ significantly? ~ Inspect
the salt cell and clean if necessary, then take a water sample back to the shop and re-check with the
electronic tester.

How do you remove the salt cell and examine for scaling? What would scaling look like? ~ Turn the
pump off, undo the unions on either side, then look straight through the cell at the metal plates.
Scaling looks like white chalky buildup.

How do you adjust the SWCG to increase or decrease chlorine generation? ~ This unit has up and
down arrows on the control box that will increase or decrease the % run time by 5% with each push,
which will be the default display on the display.
VALVES / PLUMBING

How do you adjust the valves so water goes to the floor returns? ~ Flip the toggle switch underneath
the valve actuator on the 3-port diverter valve between the floor and wall return pipes to the pool.

Is the water in the spa the same or different from the water in the pool? How can you tell this?

How do you put the system in spa mode manually? ~ Flip the toggle switches underneath the valve
actuators on the intake and return 3-port valves. Make sure to properly set these valves to sync with
the Aqualink before you leave!

How do you put the system in spa mode using the Aqualink? ~ Push the button in the Aqualink
control box to the far right to change the light from ‘Pool Mode’ to ‘Spa Mode’. This should
automatically flip the intake and return valve actuators.

How could you lower or raise the level in the spa? ~ Pushing the same Aqualink button to the far
right, you can set the valves to ‘Spa Drain’ or ‘Spa Fill’ as well. These will alternately set the valves to
pull the water from the spa and return to the pool, or pull from the pool and return to the spa.
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TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS
Cleaning

How do you…
o empty all skimmer baskets and dispose of materials appropriately? - You may empty the
skimmer baskets when the pool is running, however shutting the pump off first will make it
easier to pull out the baskets and keep debris from going down the pipe and into the pump
basket while the skimmer basket is removed. Dumping debris behind the pool shed is
recommended.
o
empty the pump baskets and dispose of materials appropriately? The pump must be turned
off, the lid has two knobs that can be loosened and then moved aside, allowing the lid to be
removed and then the pump basket removed. The basket can then be emptied in the
bushes, put back in, and the lid clamped back on. Make sure that the lid gasket is seated
properly before tightening the cover.
o
brush the pool ? – attach a brush to the pool pole and scrub. At the opening and initial
cleanings, a pool needs to be thoroughly brushed to loosen dirt and algae from the pool
surfaces. At a weekly maintenance it should also be brushed briefly but paying close
attention to where algae and bacteria is most likely to start growing, at the water/tile line, in
corners and on steps and lights
o
vacuum the pool? – connect the vacuum head to the pole, connect the vacuum hose to the
head, and then feed the hose straight down into the pool so as to push the air out the other
end as it is submerged. Once the hose if full of water, the leaf canister can be filled with
water, attached to the hose, and then its short hose can be placed directly into the skimmer
pipe while the pump is running. Plugging the skimmer not being used for vacuuming with a
Gizzmo or Natural Chemistry dosing cap will dramatically increase the suction through the
vacuum.
Water Chemistry
WATER CHEMISTRY * Write in Yellow Book
Free
Chlorine
(Same as
Total)
Total
Chlorine
1-3
Alkalinity
80-120
pH
7.2 7.6
Filter
Hardness
(Calcium)
200-400
Pressure: () ____
Stabilizer
(CYA)
30-50
50-80(Salt)
Salt Level
3000-3500
Phosphate
< 300
(check
system)
Retest
Chlorine if
shocked
Do not leave pool until you have acceptable FC and TC readings!!
WATER CLARITY - Note: if not 0/0 and clear call office to create follow-up
Clear
□
Excessive Surface Debris
□
Colored Water □
Color:___________
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TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS
Cloudy Rate (circle):
0
Algae/Slime Rate (circle): 0
1
1
2
2
3
3
(Filter must be cleaned if there is ANY algae)
Stains: Brown
□
Orange
□
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4
5
5
Color: ____ Location:______
Other: ________ Location:__________
CHEMICALS ADDED
P.P.&P.F.
___ caps
Metalfree/Scalefree ___ caps
Shock (circle one)
shimmer & shock insta-chlor liquid ___ bags
___gallons
Chlorine / Bromine ___tabs □ 1” □ 3” □ sticks
/Salt
□ chlorinator setting _____ □ filled chlorinator
□ brominator setting _____ □ filled brominator
□ salt generator setting ___
40 lb. bags salt
pH
___lbs up ___lbs down
Other

Product: ______________
lbs./oz.____
Product: ______________
lbs./oz.____
What type of shock should be used in this pool? WHY?
~ This pool is gunite with a dark colored plaster. Only liquid shock should be used here to avoid
bleaching and discoloring the finish.
Departure

Locate the yellow maintenance log book and review the last 3-4 entries. Be sure to add
information from today’s visit to the log.

What information should be on a door knocker? When should you leave one? - A door knocker
should inform a customer WHO was there, WHEN they were there (date and time), and WHAT
services were performed. It serves as a receipt of services and should be left at every visit to a
customer’s pool.

How do you check the equipment for drips and leaks? Where should you look? - You should
check the filter tank band and underneath the pumps for drips and leaks. It important to look at
all equipment and at plumbing unions and connections, but these are the two most common
spots. A drip or a leak can lead to a bigger problem after you leave if you do not address it when
you see it, and it will only get worse.
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TRAINEE NOTES SHEET: ROUTE 1/POWERS

Why is it important to close all doors and gates? – All gates and doors that allow access to the
pool area should remain closed at all times. After walking through, they should be closed, and
after leaving the pool, they should be closed. While working at the pool, they should remain
closed. Even if a gate is open when you arrive you should leave it closed. A customer’s or
neighbor’s child could wander in, or out, and you being the last one to open the gate would be
responsible. A dog could get in or out as well. You do not want to be responsible for a drowning
or car related accident with a pet or child! If a customer wants to leave their gate open, they can
open it themselves after you leave, but that is their decision.

Where should trash go? - All trash you create should be removed from the customer’s property
and brought back to SSPS for disposal in the dumpsters.

Why is it important to check chemical inventory at each visit? What, if anything, should be
brought to this pool on the next visit? - The maintenance technician is responsible for
maintaining the chemical stock at ‘Hassle Free’ pools. It is important that each week all
chemicals that are needed to properly balance and maintain the pool are there, eliminating the
need to return to the shop to pick up products. If a customer is running low on something that is
used routinely (shock, salt, pH-, PP+PF, MF) a new container should be put on the next week’s
order to replenish the stock for the next week. This should be done before you run out of
something.

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