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Key points

  • Pool: a four-sided fence of at least about 1.2 m with a self-closing gate, free chlorine of at least 1 ppm, and testing at least twice daily.
  • An evaporative cooler uses far less electricity in dry air but needs relief openings and weakens in humidity.
  • Tanks need a tight cover and cleaning and disinfection when needed, and an evaporative cooler is drained and dried completely when shut down for the season.
  • Outdoor electrics with suitably IP-rated fittings, and sockets and outdoor mobile equipment protected by a 30 mA RCD.
Written for:Owner

A rest house is not a small home: it is used in seasons and holidays, stays closed for weeks, and has larger open spaces. That changes the priorities for maintenance and safety.

1) The pool first

  • A four-sided fence at least 4 feet (about 1.2 m) high with self-closing, self-latching gates, and a designated adult supervising children1.
  • Free chlorine at least 1 ppm (2 with stabiliser), pH 7.0–7.8, tested at least twice a day, and more often when many people use the pool2.
  • Details: home pools.

2) Cooling and shade

  • For majlis areas and open spaces in dry air, an evaporative cooler can use about a quarter of the energy of central AC, but it needs relief openings and weakens on humid days3.
  • For closed rooms: choosing an AC type and size.
  • Shades: ask the municipality before installing, and ask for wind calculations for large shades. See shades and screens and sun protection.

3) Outdoor power and lighting

  • Fittings with an IP rating suited to dust and spray. Mobile equipment used outdoors and general-use socket-outlets get additional protection by an RCD of no more than 30 mA4. See outdoor lighting.
  • Automatic gate: inspect it every 30 days to make sure it works properly, and test the reversing feature with a 2x4 in its path5. See gates.

4) Between seasons

  1. Evaporative coolers: maintenance at least twice a year (at spring start-up and at shutdown), and when shutting down for the season, drain and dry them completely and remove mineral deposits3.
  2. Tanks: a tight cover, and cleaning and disinfection before the season when needed6. See water tanks.
  3. Unused traps and drains dry out and let odours through; pour water into them7.
  4. Walk round for termites and mud tubes, and do not stack firewood by the building8. See building pests.
  5. Roof and gutters before the rains. See the maintenance plan.
  6. Close the main water valve and unneeded breakers during long closures (practical advice).

5) Yard and water

Slope the yard away from the building, and keep irrigation and cooler outlets away from walls and foundations. See yards and interlock and water around the building.

Sources

The number next to a statement points to its source in this list. Sources back the general information; anything marked “practical advice” is editorial experience, not a quoted source. Anything that affects safety, structural design or electrical installations needs a licensed professional, and in Saudi Arabia the binding reference is the Saudi Building Code.

  1. 1Preventing Drowning — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  2. 2Home Pool and Hot Tub Water Treatment and Testing — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  3. 3Evaporative Cooling Systems (Building America Solution Center) — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory / U.S. DOE
  4. 4IEC 60364-4-41 — Protection against electric shock — IEC — copy published via iTeh Standards
  5. 5Non-Reversing Automatic Garage Door Openers Are a Hazard (Safety Alert, Pub. 523) — U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
  6. 6Technical Note 3: Cleaning and disinfecting water storage tanks and tankers — World Health Organization (WHO) / WEDC
  7. 7What's That Smell? Understanding Sewer Odors and P-Traps — South Davis Sewer District
  8. 8Termites: How to Identify and Control Them — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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This guide is for general information and planning, based on standards and technical guides. Standards are revised periodically; in Saudi Arabia the binding reference is the Saudi Building Code and the instructions of the competent authorities. For design and execution, use a licensed engineer or technician. Found an error? Tell us.