Free NPC pool start-up procedure card

What makes this start-up card worth keeping on every truck

Industry-standard guidance Developed by the National Plasterers Council, the foremost authority in cementitious interior pool finishing. These are the procedures the industry trusts.

Covers the full 28-day window The first 28 days are the most critical for a new finish. This card walks through fill day, days 1–3, days 4–7, and the ongoing maintenance phase step by step.

Includes a water chemistry reference The back side covers post-28-day maintenance targets and an LSI calculator with worked examples, so technicians have what they need without pulling up a separate resource.

Built for field use Compact, clearly organized, and designed to be referenced quickly on the job.

What's inside the NPC start-up procedure card

Side 1: Start-up procedures

• General considerations for protecting a new interior finish
• Pool filling day checklist, including hose placement, fill rate, and equipment startup sequence
• Day 1 protocol: pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness testing and adjustment; brushing requirements; sequestering agent guidance
• Day 2 protocol: water chemistry retesting, calcium hardness adjustment, and continued filtration requirements
• Day 3 protocol: chlorine introduction guidelines (including salt water system notes) and brushing schedule
• Days 4–7: daily testing, directional eyeball guidance, CYA introduction, and calcium hardness targets
• Days 7–28: transition to observation-based brushing once plaster dust is cleared

Side 2: Water chemistry and maintenance

• Post-28-day maintenance targets for free chlorine, pH, carbonate alkalinity, calcium hardness, CYA, TDS, and salt level
• Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) formula and factor table
• Worked LSI calculation example
• Chemical safety reminders

Procedures developed by the National Plasterers Council. Advisory and non-binding. NPC does not regulate or monitor conformance.

How to use this reference card

1. Download and print Print the card double-sided and laminate it for field durability, or save it to a device your techs can access on the job.

2. Review before fill day Walk through the general considerations and fill day checklist before water goes in the pool. The first hours matter.

3. Follow the daily protocol Work through each day's steps in order. The card is explicit that each step should be completed before moving to the next.

4. Use the chemistry reference on day 4 and beyond Once CYA is introduced and the plaster dust clears, shift to the water chemistry side to track ongoing balance targets and calculate LSI.

5. Keep it on file with the job record Document your test results at each stage. The card prompts you to record results at key intervals.

Frequently asked questions

Is this card really free?

Yes, 100% free. Enter your contact details to download it.

Who developed these procedures?

The National Plasterers Council (NPC), a trade organization recognized as the leading authority in cementitious interior pool finishing. The procedures reflect common trade practice and are reviewed periodically. This version is dated March 2023.

Are these procedures mandatory?

No. NPC notes that these procedures are advisory and non-binding. That said, they represent widely accepted industry practice and are referenced by plasterers, service technicians, and manufacturers across the country.

Do these procedures apply to all pool finishes?

They are written for cementitious interior finishes. NPC notes that fill water chemistry, including calcium hardness, pH, and total alkalinity, may require modifications to the standard protocol depending on local water conditions.

What's the LSI and why does it matter?

The Langelier Saturation Index measures whether pool water is scaling or etching. NPC recommends maintaining LSI between 0.0 and +0.3 during ongoing maintenance, particularly within the first six months after start-up, to protect the finish surface.

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