Pool and recreational water safety

Recreational Water illnesses (RWIs)

• caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols

• having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools

Public pools plans must be ______.

submitted to local health department for review and approval before beginning construction

The plan is usually prepared by an ______.

registered professional engineer or registered architect

Things EH professionals look at on pool plans:

• pool gates are a minimum of 4ft/48 inches high → prevent accidental drowning

• gates swing outward

• self-closing gates

• glass in fence must be safety glass or plastic

• maximum of 4 inch openings on pool gates

• maximum 2 inches from grade

• bathhouse and the equipment room

• pool accessories

• layout of the chemicals storage room → must use watertight containers

• Specifications of all treatment equipment

• layout in the equipment room

• Must have telephone in pool enclosure

• water supply and wastewater disposal systems  

• well location and backwash water disposal  

Prior to issuance of the operation permit there must be a ______.

• statement signed by a registered architect or  registered professional engineer 

• “construction is complete and in accordance with approved plans..”

EH professionals have 30 days to ______.

review pool plans for approval or disapproval

• approve, disapprove

• provide written comments on plans and specifications  

If construction is not initiated ________.

within one year from the date of approval, the approval shall be voided.

Upon completion of construction, the contractor shall notify the local health department and the owner.

Most indoor pools use _______.

bromine for disinfectant → concerns of chlorine gas

Public Swimming Pool Operation Permits

• No public swimming pool shall commence or continue operation unless the owner or operator has an operation permit issued by the local health department 

• Must have one for each public swimming pool.

• Unless suspended or revoked Operation permit shall be valid for the period of operation specified in the application but in no event shall it be valid for more than 12 months

• A separate permit application is submitted for each pool → apply annually then inspection

Public Swimming Pool Operation Permits are ______.

only good for 1 year

• must have an annual inspection for a new permit

Different types of pools

• Swimming Pools 

• Spas 

• Wading Pools – No deeper than 24 inches.

• Specialized Water Recreation Attractions

• Special Purpose and Therapy Pools: Float Tanks, Exercise Therapy and Treadmill Pools and water resistance exercise therapy, scuba training pools, and swim spa training pools

• water recreation attractions: Water Slides, Wave Pools, lazy rivers and Rapid Rides   

• Interactive Play Attractions: splash pads, spray pads, and spray grounds

• Special Purpose Therapy Pools → for therapeutic treatments and physical training and fitness

What is the flow of water once it leaves the pool?

Leaves by the main drains and skimmers → pumped to the filter → disinfected → sent back to the pool by inlets or jets

Proper water chlorination

Protect swimmers from germs that can make swimmers sick. 

Spray grounds

• No standing water 

• Splash pad constantly drains

• Underground collection tank

• filter, chlorinator and a circulation pump

• 30-minute turnover – or less

Concerns with RWIs

• diarrhea, respiratory illness

• ear and skin infections

• Children, pregnant women, compromised immune systems can suffer from more severe illness 

• caused by germs like Cryptosporidium, Giardia, E. coli 0157:H7, and Shigella  

• major cause = Inadequate disinfectant levels

• some have lasted 2-3 months...all pool season

What is the US Federal Law that covers main drains and suction entrapment prevention?

The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act

• Across the country, enough children have died or been injured in what are called suction-entrapment accidents in pools.

Due to suction entrapment of pool drains _______.

we now use anti-vortex drains covers

• pulls water in from the sides

Suction entrapment

• begins with poor or old pool design

• incorrect inspection or inadequate correction

• end with endangerment and even death

Congress passed a federal law requiring mandatory changes in _____.

public pools, including replacing old flat drain covers with new anti-entrapment designs

• Only for public" pools -- ones in neighborhoods, hotels and apartment complexes.

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act specifies ______.

• Drain covers must meet specific performance requirements. 

• Public swimming pools, wading pools, spas and hot tubs must meet requirements for installation of compliant drain covers.

• Additionally, in certain instances, public pools and spas must have additional devices or systems designed to prevent suction entrapment.