01
The purpose
What does this calculator estimate?
Check your water parameters against health-code pass/fail ranges before the inspector arrives.
Commercial Pools · G6
Commercial Pool Inspection Compliance Tool
Check your water parameters against health-code pass/fail ranges before the inspector arrives.
Measure the inputsTest and log water chemistry on the schedule your health department requires.
Read the full resultKeep records — inspectors check your logs as well as live readings.
Check the boundaryDepth markings, safety equipment, and signage are inspected, not just chemistry.
Useful forCommercial PoolsPlanningComparisonVerification
Live calculation
Inspection inputs
✓ Checked May 2026
Enter your current readings to check against code.
Reference result
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Enter all five water readings to run the reference check.
Enter the known values. Let the engine handle the calculation.
✓ Formula checked↻ Live result○ No account needed
Planning estimate only. Confirm product labels, equipment specifications, qualified-professional advice and local requirements before acting.
The result, explained
Use the Commercial Pool Inspection Compliance Tool result with context.
Check your water parameters against health-code pass/fail ranges before the inspector arrives.
02
The tool
What information does it use?
- Free chlorine: ppm
- pH: enter a measured or verified value
- Total alkalinity: ppm
- Calcium hardness: ppm
- Cyanuric acid: ppm
- Pool type / jurisdiction: Sets the applicable ranges.
03
The method
How to use this calculator
- Free chlorineppm
- pHEnter the value you can verify.
- Total alkalinityppm
- Calcium hardnessppm
- Cyanuric acidppm
- Pool type / jurisdictionSets the applicable ranges.
04
The relationship
The formula in plain English
Each reading is checked against the code pass/fail range for that parameter
MAHC ranges: FC 1–10, pH 7.2–7.8, TA 60–180, CH 150–1000, CYA 0–90 ppm.05
Worked through
A worked example: FC 0.8, pH 7.9, TA 100, CH 250, CYA 30
- FC 0.8 → FAIL (below 1 ppm)
- pH 7.9 → FAIL (above 7.8)
- TA, CH, CYA all within range → PASS
| Parameter | Acceptable range | Ideal target | Fail if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free chlorine | 1–10 ppm | 2–4 ppm | < 1 or > 10 |
| pH | 7.2–7.8 | 7.4–7.6 | < 7.2 or > 7.8 |
| Total alkalinity | 60–180 ppm | 80–120 ppm | < 60 or > 180 |
| Calcium hardness | 150–1000 ppm | 200–400 ppm | < 150 |
| Cyanuric acid | 0–90 ppm | 0–50 ppm | > 90 |
06
Why it matters
How the result supports the next decision
Test and log water chemistry on the schedule your health department requires.
Keep records — inspectors check your logs as well as live readings.
07
Good inputs
Improve the estimate before relying on it
- Test and log water chemistry on the schedule your health department requires.
- Keep records — inspectors check your logs as well as live readings.
- Depth markings, safety equipment, and signage are inspected, not just chemistry.
- Borderline readings can fail — aim for the middle of each range, not the edge.
- Fix any out-of-range parameter before opening, not after the inspector flags it.
08
The boundary
How to interpret the result
The enforcing authority and the facility operating plan override this general reference.
The engine reports invalid inputs and safety warnings beside the result. Resolve those messages before using the estimate.
09
Before acting
What should override this estimate?
- Measured site conditions and current test results
- Product labels and manufacturer specifications
- Qualified-professional advice and applicable local codes
10
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What do pool inspectors check?
They verify water chemistry against code ranges — free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid — plus operational items like turnover compliance, lifeguard staffing, depth markings, safety equipment, signage, and recordkeeping. A pool can pass on chemistry yet fail on a missing safety device or incomplete logs.
What are the MAHC water chemistry ranges?
Common Model Aquatic Health Code ranges are free chlorine 1 to 10 ppm, pH 7.2 to 7.8, total alkalinity 60 to 180 ppm, calcium hardness 150 to 1,000 ppm, and cyanuric acid 0 to 90 ppm. Local jurisdictions may tighten these, so always confirm the exact thresholds your health department enforces.
How do I prepare for a pool inspection?
Test and balance the water into the middle of each code range ahead of time, verify all safety equipment and signage are present and correct, confirm turnover and staffing meet the standard, and have your testing and maintenance logs complete and up to date. Walking through this checklist before the visit avoids surprises.
Can a pool fail inspection on chemistry alone?
Yes. An out-of-range free chlorine or pH reading is a common reason for failure or immediate closure, because it directly affects swimmer safety. But chemistry is only part of it — missing safety equipment, inadequate staffing, or incomplete records can also fail an inspection even when the water tests perfectly.
Why aim for the middle of each range?
Readings drift between tests, and a value sitting at the very edge of an acceptable range can slip out of compliance by the time the inspector measures it. Targeting the middle gives a buffer, so normal fluctuation doesn't push a parameter into failing territory during the inspection.
What chemistry do pool inspectors check?
FC, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and CYA, against code ranges, plus logs and safety items.
What is the legal free chlorine range for pools?
MAHC allows 1–10 ppm free chlorine; many jurisdictions narrow this — confirm locally.
Can a pool be closed for failing inspection?
Yes — out-of-range chlorine or pH, or missing safety equipment, can trigger immediate closure.
Primary sources
Use the result with current guidance.
These official references support safe planning context. Product labels, local requirements and qualified-professional advice take priority over a general calculator estimate.