Pool Establishments

Public Pool Pre-opening Requirements and Maintenance

Pool Safety

Pool Operator Certification

New Federal Swimming Pool and Spa Requirements

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act went into effect December 19, 2008.  This federal law is intended to stop entrapment or evisceration of children, adults or the elderly, by pool drains in public or private pools.  This is a federal law that will be enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.  If found in violation it could result in criminal penalties including fines.  For further information you can contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission or toll free at 1-800-638-2772.

The Consumer Health Protection Division under the Environmental Health Department will not be enforcing this law.  The City's position on enforcement, is outlined in the attached memorandum mailed in January to all pool operators that service public and semi-public pools within the City's jurisdiction.

VGB Pool Owners Official Notification Letter

Plan Review

Plans and specifications for any new construction, reconstruction, or design alteration of public pools and spas must be submitted to the Construction Services Section, before the project is started. The Plan Review office is located at 600 Second NW, and may be reached at 505-764-1693.

Permits

Final approval and processing of a permit application is necessary for new construction and changes in ownership. A pre-opening inspection and permission to operate is required on all seasonally operated facilities before the expected opening date. An appointment should be requested several days in advance, to allow scheduling. Year-round pools under regular inspection do not require a special appointment.

Checklist

The following checklist will assist you in preparing for your pre-opening inspection or checking your year-round facility for compliance.

Pool Inspection Checklist (174kb)

Safety Equipment

• Two or more U.S. Coast Guard-approved ring buoys a minimum of 457mm (18 inches) outer diameter and attached throw line 6 mm (1/4 inch thick) approximately 0.50 (1/2) pool width plus 3.1 m (10 feet)
• Life line with floats (for depths greater than 1.5 mm (5 feet)
• One pole with life hook - 3.7 m (12 feet) or longer
• Safety signs conspicuously posted included: WARNING - No lifeguard service is provided. All children under the age of twelve must be accompanied by an adult within the barrier area. In case of emergency, contact ___________; Emergency phone numbers;
• Pool capacity/bather load - 2.3 ms (25 sq. ft.)/person, Class A, B, C; Resuscitation chart.
• First Aid Kit--American Red Cross 24 unit or equivalent
• Pool chemicals stored properly
• If gas chlorine is used, contact the Environmental Health Department for additional requirements
• Telephone on premises

Operational

• National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) approve disinfectant dispenser--must be working
• Appropriate Test Kits--chlorine (DPD type), pH, and stabilizer (cyanuric acid) test kit
• Pump, hair and lint strainer, pressure gauges, flow meters, skimmer strainer baskets, and weirs present, in good condition and working properly

Miscellaneous

• No animals allowed within the barrier, except service animals
• Grounds, buildings, dressing rooms, walkways, etc. clean and sanitary
• A responsible person must be on the premises at all times that the pool is in operation or accessible by phone or pager.
• Daily operating records are to be maintained. All accidents are to be recorded.

Water Quality

• Stabilizer (cynauric acid) concentration less than 100 ppm
• pH between i7.2 and 8.0
• Clarity - main drain clearly visible from the runway around the deep area
• Free chlorine;
  • Non-stabilized chlorine between .4 and 1.5 ppm;S
  • Stabilized chlorine residual between 1.0 and 4.0 ppm;
  • Combined chlorine:P 0.4 PPM maximum;
  • Bromine between 2.0 and 6.0 PPM
• Wading and Whirl Pools shall be disinfected to maintain a minimum disinfectant residual (free chlorine) higher, i.e., Stabilized: 1.5 - 4.0 PPM, Unstabilized: 0.6 - 1.5 PPM
• Total dissolved solids shall be lower than 3000 PPM or 2000 PPM over naturally occurring TDS levels

Spas

• Hot Water Precaution sign
• Temperature 40 °C (104 °F) max;
  • Shatterproof thermometer;
  • Jets on 15 minute timer or clock visible to swimmers
• Spas with built-in seating shall indicate depth of seating level, as well as the maximum depth
• Pool capacity - 0.9 m (10 sq. ft.)/person

PRECAUTION: A child should never be left in a spa. The temperature of a spa is usually 104 °F. After only 10 minutes in a spa, a child's temperature may be the same as the temperature of the water. Pregnant women should be reminded that the same is true of a fetus.

Certification

A certified operator must oversee pool operation and maintenance. For certification, operators must successfully complete an approved training course/test. Call 505-768-2638 for details.