Safety Requirement - Lifesaving Equipment
- At any time a pool with more than 2,250 square feet of water surface is operated primarily for unorganized use, the pool must have an elevated lifeguard platform or chair. In a pool with 4,000 square feet or more of water surface, additional elevated platforms, or chairs must be located to provide a clear, unobstructed view of the pool bottom in the area under surveillance.
- Except for a spa pool or wading pool, not less than one unit of lifesaving equipment as described below, must be at every public pool. One unit must be provided for each 2,000 square feet of water surface or fraction thereof.
- One unit of lifesaving equipment shall consist of the following:
a ring buoy to which shall be attached a 3/16-inch manilla rope or
equivalent material rope 1 ½ times the width of the pool, but
not over 60-feet in length; and life pole or shepherd’s crook-type
pole having blunted ends and a minimum fixed length of 12 feet; where
a lifeguard is provided, a rescue tube may be used instead of a ring
buoy. Closure
of Pools When any of the conditions in Items A to E are found, a public
pool must be immediately closed to use when so ordered by the commissioner. The
owner of the pool or the owner’s agent must place a sign at the
entrance to the pool indicating that the pool is closed. The pool must
remain closed until the condition is corrected and approval to reopen
is granted by the commissioner. A pool must be closed when:
- the required units of lifesaving equipment are not provided;
- the water clarity must be clear enough so the bottom drain is easily visible;
- the required disinfectant residuals stated above must be met;
- the pool has been constructed or physically altered without approval of plans; or
- there is any condition that endangers the health or safety of the public.
Swimming pools must be continually disinfected with a chemical which imparts an easily measured, free available residual effect. When chlorine is used, a free chlorine residual of at least 0.5 parts per million (ppm), but no more than 5.0 PPM, must be maintained throughout the pool. When bromine is used, a residual of at least 1.0 PPM, but no more than 10.0 PPM,must be maintained throughout the pool. The minimum chlorine and bromine levels are 1.0 PPM and 2.0 PPM respectfully when cyanuric acid exceeds 30 PPM, pH is greater than 7.7, the water temperature is greater that 84 degrees Fahrenheit, or the pool is a wading pool. For spa pools, the minimum allowed disinfectant residual is 2.0 PPM free chlorine or 4.0 PPM
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