purchased my first pool 3 weeks ago from the great escape. They havent contacted me yet on the install due to weather. I've been reading about electrical codes this whole time and totally understand that the metal parts of the pool, frame, walls, water, and pump must be bonded with #8 bare copper wire attached to 4 equally distant points on the pool at 6" below grade using direct bury lugs and connected by split bolts with a specific db rating. I'm fairly sure I've got a good bead on that. However, my city electrical inspector who retires in 2 weeks thinks I need to use a 3' perimeter of 1'x1' #8 copper bonding grid in addition. Most of what I have read states that this is required under concrete decking or pavers. I have no plan to do either of those within 6+feet and plan to build a small 1/4 deck of composite decking around one end of the round part with 2 steps and a small deck level with the trim. The rest of the pool will be surrounded by decorative grasses, shrubs, etc, and mulch. The million dollar question is do I need a 3' 1'x1' bonding grid by code if I have no concrete anywhere near there other than the footings for my deck? I ordered a custom built grid from aquabond.com 3 weeks ago. Said 5-7 days to ship but has almost been a month and they don't reply to emails. I want my pool to be safe But this grid thing seems excessive since I'm doing the bonding with the single #8 bare copper around the perimeter. Anybody able to "decode" the electrical code? Thanks!!