Saskatchewan Health S A WHIRLPOOL DESIGN/OPERATIONAL T C H E W STANDARDS. Updated 02/00

Transcription

1 Saskatchewan Health S A S K A T C H E W A N WHIRLPOOL DESIGN/OPERATIONAL STANDARDS Updated 02/00

2 FOREWORD These standards should be read in conjunction with The Swimming Pool Regulations, Saskatchewan Health, with the assistance of the local health districts, has developed design/operational standards to assist operator/owners of aquatic facilities in meeting the requirements of The Swimming Pool Regulations, While the design/operational standards in themselves should not be considered law, provisions of the standards become legally binding when they are attached as a condition or term of a licence to operate. Consequently, it is expected that all aquatic facilities will be constructed and operated in accordance with the design/operational standards. The format of the standards is such that all pools covered by the regulations are expected to comply with the general pool design/operational standards and any other applicable design/operational standards (water theme facility; swimming pool facility, or whirlpool facility). Existing swimming pools, water theme facilities and whirlpools which do not meet the design/operational standards may continue to operate provided that the pool is operated in compliance with The Swimming Pool Regulations, 1999 and that a health hazard does not exist. Alterations to existing pools and equipment are to be carried out in accordance with the standards. Judicious use of these standards should result in the provision of bacteriologically and physically safe swimming pools, water theme facilities and whirlpools in this province.

3 WHIRLPOOL DESIGN STANDARDS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 In addition to the general pool design/operational standards the following whirlpool design/operational standards are to apply to a whirlpool which is governed by The Swimming Pool Regulations, CONSTRUCTION Chemical Feeding Equipment 2.1 (1) Whirlpools over 9,500 litres are to be equipped with: a mechanical device with an adjustable feed rate to dispense the appropriate chemical required to maintain the disinfectant residual and ph of the water within the recommended range; and a mechanical device which will continuously monitor the disinfectant residual and ph of the water, and automatically control each of the feeding devices. (2) Whirlpools under 9,500 litres, unless otherwise required by a public health officer, may manually adjust and monitor the disinfectant residual and ph of the water. Circulation 2.2 (1) Each whirlpool with a water volume of 3800 litres or less must be equipped with a filtration system capable of turning the water over once every 20 minutes or less. (Revision 02/00) (2) Each whirlpool with a water volume greater than 3800 litres must be equipped with a filtration system that: has a filter rate of not less than 3 litres per second; and is capable of turning the water over once every 30 minutes or less. (3) Each filter system should contain a device to permit the regulation of the filter rate to meet the filter manufacturer's recommended flow rate. (4) The filter should be of a type that will permit thorough cleaning of the internal components and internal surfaces.

4 Deck Areas 2.3 (1) Each whirlpool is to be provided with a slip resistant impervious deck that is solely for the use of swimmers and: (c) is at least l.8 metres in width; subject to (2) extends entirely around all sides of the pool; is essentially flush with the walls of the whirlpool, such that the deck does not overhang the water edge by more than 50 millimetres. (2) In the case of whirlpools less than 10 square metres in surface area, the deck may be reduced to 20 millimetres for up to 75% of the perimeter, but access to the whirlpool should be from a walkway 1.2 metres or greater in width. Dimensional Design 2.4 (1) Unless otherwise approved by a public health officer, the maximum water depth should be 1 metre, measured from the water line. (2) The maximum depth of any seat or sitting bench should be.5 metre, measured from the water line. (3) The free board of the whirlpool (the distance from the water surface to the top of the coping) should not exceed 300 millimetres. Main Drains 2.5 (1) There should be a minimum of two main drains located either on the pool bottom or on the poolside within 300 millimetres of the bottom, physically separated by a minimum distance of 300 millimetres. (2) Water outlets should be designed so that each pumping system in the whirlpool (filter system(s) or jet system(s) if so equipped) provides one of the following alternatives: two outlets whose pipe diameter sizes are equal and are inserted into the system so that neither one of the two outlets is cut out of the suction line by a valve or other means; or one antivortex drain that does not present a tripping or stubbing hazard and has a minimum 300 millimetre x 300 millimetre square grate or any other approved means that guards against outlet entrapment. 2

5 (3) The drain covers should present no sharp edges to the adjacent surfaces. Each cover should be so secured that the removal requires the use of a tool. Overflow Fittings 2.6 (1) In order to compensate for the displacement of water caused by swimmers entering the whirlpool, each whirlpool is to be equipped with either: an overflow fitting that is set slightly above the normal operating level of the pool, and discharging directly to waste via an appropriate air gap; or adequate floor drains in the immediate area surrounding the whirlpool. (2) In lieu of an overflow fitting, an adequately sized surge tank may be used. The surge tank should have a capacity related to the capacity of the whirlpool. Skimmers 2.7 A skimmer is to be installed for every 9 square metres of pool surface area or part thereof. Steps 2.8 (1) Step treads should have a minimum unobstructed horizontal tread depth of 250 millimetres for a minimum continuous width of 300 millimetres. (2) Riser heights are not to be less than 180 millimetres, nor greater than 300 millimetres. When the bottom tread serves as a bench or seat, the bottom riser may be a maximum of 355 millimetres. (3) Step treads shall have slip-resistant tread surfaces. (4) Each set of steps is to be provided with at least one handrail to fully serve all treads and risers. (5) Handrails should be so secured that the removal requires the use of a tool. (6) Seats or benches may be considered as part of the steps. 3

6 Temperature Control 2.9 (1) Each whirlpool shall be equipped with a high limit cut-off switch limiting the maximum temperature to 40 o C. This should be a tamper proof device and independent of the normal pool water temperature thermostat. 3.0 SAFETY (2) Valved piping should be provided for regulating flow through the heater and for bypassing or isolating the heater. Emergency Shut-Off Switch 3.1 (1) Each whirlpool shall: be equipped with an emergency shut-off switch capable of immediately shutting off the hydrojet pumps; and have the emergency shut-off switch clearly marked and visible from the whirlpool. (2) Whirlpools installed and operational at the time The Swimming Pool Regulations, 1999 come into force are exempt from the requirements of (1) for one year from the day these regulations come into force. Handrail 3.2 Where the whirlpool edge is adjacent to areas of concentrated traffic flow, or where the whirlpool is raised above the surrounding deck area, a handrail or similar barrier should be installed. 4

7 WHIRLPOOL OPERATIONAL STANDARDS 1.0 WATER QUALITY CONTROL Alkalinity 1.1 Alkalinity should be maintained within the range of mg/l. (Errata 02/00) Calcium Hardness 1.2 Calcium hardness should be maintained within the range of mg/l. Combined Chlorine Residual 1.3 The combined chlorine residual should not be more than 50% of the total chlorine residual. Cyanuric Acid 1.4 (1) Cyanuric acid should be maintained within the range of mg/l. (2) Cyanuric acid shall not be used for indoor whirlpools. Disinfection Residual 1.5 A disinfection residual shall be maintained during operational times in all portions of the whirlpool. The water in a whirlpool shall have: a minimum 3.0 milligrams per litre of free chlorine residual; a minimum 4.0 milligrams per litre of total bromine residual; or ph Concentration an oxidation reduction potential of at least 650 millivolts and a minimum residual at all times of 0.6 milligrams per litre of free chlorine or 1.0 milligrams per litre of total bromine. 1.6 The operator shall control the ph within a range of 7.2 and

8 Testing and Records 1.7 (1) Each operator shall test and record the disinfection and ph levels as well as the oxidation reduction potential level if in use, one half hour prior to swimmers being admitted to the pool, and thereafter at two hour maximum time intervals during the hours of operation of the pool. (2) Testing and recording for levels of alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids, cyanuric acid if used and any other parameter a public health officer considers to be appropriate shall be conducted and recorded as directed by a public health officer. Total Dissolved Solids 1.8 With the exception of whirlpools that make use of salt water disinfection methods, it is recommended that the operator not allow the total dissolved solids level to exceed 2500 mg/l. Turnover Rate 1.9 The entire volume of water used at a whirlpool shall be circulated through the filter and disinfecting equipment every thirty minutes or less. 2.0 SAFETY Caution Sign 2.1 A caution sign should be mounted adjacent to the entrance to the whirlpool. It should contain the following warnings: (c) (d) (e) (f) Pregnant women; elderly persons; and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high or low blood pressure should not enter the whirlpool tub without prior medical consultation and permission from their doctor. Do not use the whirlpool tub while under the influence of alcohol, or drugs that cause drowsiness or that raise or lower blood pressure. Do not use at water temperatures greater than 40 C. Do not use alone. Unsupervised use by children is prohibited. Enter and exit slowly. 6

9 (g) (h) Observe reasonable time limits (10-15 minutes), then leave the water and cool down before returning for another brief stay. Long exposure may result in nausea, dizziness, or fainting. Emergency Equipment 2.2 When in the opinion of a public health officer the whirlpool is of a size that warrants emergency equipment, there shall be provided in places conveniently located for emergency use: (c) one or more electrically insulated or non-conducting reaching poles at least 3.7 metres long; two or more buoyant throwing aids, each having securely attached to it a 6.5 millimetre diameter rope of a length of not less than one-half the width of the pool plus 1.5 metres; a spine board equipped with a device capable of preventing movement of the head which has adjustable fastening straps at shoulder, waist and feet areas. General Sign 2.3 At the general entrance to the whirlpool a sign should be posted advising swimmers that: (c) No food or beverages shall be brought into or consumed in the designated whirlpool area. Those wishing to smoke are requested to do so only in the areas so designated. No glass containers shall be brought into the whirlpool area. Swimmer Load 2.4 Swimmer load shall be based on the following formula: Swimmer load = 1 person for each square metre of whirlpool surface area 7