Professional Swimming Pool Operator (PSPO) Exam Review

Flashcards to aid in exam review

Professional Swimming Pool Operator (PSPO)

An individual with swimming pool/spa operations knowledge, including water disinfection, water balance, pool circulation, filtration, and pool maintenance.

Reasons The Health Department Will Close Your Pool

No certified operator on duty; lifeguard with current certifications not present; chemicals out of balance; chemical feeders not operating for more than 24 hours; filtration system not working for more than 1 hour; water below skimmers; main drain not easily visible; bathrooms and deck drains not operational; facility presents a danger to patrons; flowrate insufficient; non-operational phone; Health Inspector denied access

PSPO Must test and record Chlorine and pH (main pool)

Every two hours

PSPO must test and record Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid (main pool)

Once per week

pH

Measure of how acidic or basic a solution is

Acceptable pH value

Between 7.2 and 7.8; with an ideal range of 7.4 and 7.6, goal of 7.5.

Total Alkalinity

Measure of the pH-buffering capacity, or the ability of a solution to resist change in pH.

Acceptable alkalinity value

Between 80 and 150 ppm; ideal range is 80-120 ppm, with a goal usually around 100 ppm

Calcium Hardness

Measure of the mineral content of water; most significant mineral to pools is calcium

Acceptable Calcium Hardness value

is 150-400 ppm; ideal range is 200-400 ppm

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

Sum of all soluble organic and inorganic materials dissolved in the water

Recommended TDS value

Less than 1200 ppm

Saturation Index

Numerical figure that indicates water equilibrium or water balance

Most important safety equipment at an aquatic facility

A well–trained and attentive lifeguard.

Percentage of diving accidents that happen in shallow water

95%

Rescue equipment required at all facilities

Rescue tubes, Reaching poles, Ring buoys and throwing lines, Backboards, First aid kits, Emergency alert systems, Emergency phones with current numbers posted, and Resuscitation equipment

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Step-by-step plan to handle an emergency

Pathogen

Disease-causing micro-organism

Minimum FAC with CYA being used

2.0 ppm

Shocking

General term referring to the removal of materials that have a chlorine demand, organic and inorganic contaminants.

Breakpoint Chlorination

10 times the CAC level in additional free chlorine

Hyperchlorination

Intentional and specific raising of chlorine levels for a prolonged period of time to inactivate pathogens

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl)

Primary chemical species responsible for the disinfection of pools and spas

Types of Commonly Used Chlorine

Gas, Sodium Hypochlorite, Calcium Hypochlorite, Lithium Hypochlorite, Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (Trichlor) and Dichloroisocyanuric Acid (Dichlor)

Unstabilized (Inorganic) Chlorine

Does not contain carbon and reacts to UV light

Stabilized (Organic) Chlorine

Contains carbon, NOT sensitive to UV light.