TIG welding a stainless handrail submersed in a swimming pool. Info please

[jason.mcinulty]

I must TIG weld a stainless handrail submersed in a swimming pool 5mm. The pool is new and full is this practice safe?

 

[Wozzaaah]

I'm guessing the member who replied without actually posting any info thought you were thinking of tig welding underwater which I assume you aren't?
Connect the work return to the rail and make sure the set can't come into contact with any water and I can't see any problem with it.

 

[madkayaker]

lots of regs for power use near pool but use two RCD'S and your fine

 

[jason.mcinulty]

Not welding underwater its a swimming pool not the North Sea

Yes you are right. I am on the pool edge and so is the handrail. The rail is in the pool b 5mm, I.ve never carried out this practice, cheers for your help.

 

[Barney1973]

Sorry thought it was a wind up

 

[Drains]

I must TIG weld a stainless handrail submersed in a swimming pool 5mm. The pool is new and full is this practice safe?

Ah! We do this kind of work all the time - nice and easy, just like normal work on the bench, but a few important extras to remember:-

You need to put the weld set in a plastic bag sealed with rubber bands before you drop it in the water, turn the argon up to about 20lpm and have a tee with a separate outlet directly underneath the point of weld so's you flood the area with argon 20lpm there too.

You need to keep the filler rod water and chlorine-free, so coat it with wax first. The wax melts off and floats to the surface as you go, The argon stops it from reacting with the chlorine (as you know, chlorine and paraffin wax make a powerful explosive in the right concentrations).

And don't forget to wear wellies. Waders are even better (so nobody can see your Speedos). Easyyyyy.

Good luck!

 

[Paul.]

I actually did a repair like that last year, a pool ladder handrail clobbered by a floor cleaning machine, just cut out the damaged piece and weld in a new elbow and short length of tube, the risk assessment and method statement were more trouble than the job, as woz says keep the return next to the joint and make sure that the welding set cant get near the pool, we tied it off to a door frame so that it couldn't possibly move any nearer than about 2 mtrs to the water, nothing to it. just don't fall in.

 

[Rick]

5mm? Just drain the pool a little.