Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island
Table of Contents Preface...Page 2 Acknowledgements...Page 2 Introduction...Page 3 Section 1: Operating Procures...Page 4 1.1 Bather Load 1.2 Lifeguard to Bather Ratios 1.3 Program Ratios 1.4 Record Keeping & Documentation 1.5 Cleanliness Section 2: Equipment...Page 7 2.1 First Aid Kit 2.2 Lifesaving/Rescue Equipment Section 3: Water Quality...Page 8 3.1 Water Clarity 3.2 Water Chemistry 3.3 Pool Contaminations Section 4: Emergency Procedures...Page 9 4.1 General Procedures 4.2 Circumstantial or Facility Specific Procedures 4.3 Content of Procedures 4.4 Contacting Emergency Medical Services Section 5: Personnel & Supervision...Page 10 5.1 Training & Orientation 5.2 Qualifications 5.3 Lifeguard Scanning 5.4 Signage Appendix I: Swimming Pool Rules & Regulations Appendix II: Swimming Pool Test Guidelines Appendix III: Commercial Spa Test Guidelines
Preface The following guidelines have been prepared for the guidance and convenience of all owners and prospective owners of regulated swimming pools in Prince Edward Island. The booklet was redesigned in 2014 to complement the PEI Public Health Act - Swimming Pool and Waterslide Regulations. Acknowledgements Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island (2001) has been revised by Recreation PEI. To complete this booklet, the organization worked in partnership with a working group consisting of representatives from: PEI Office of Environmental Health, Division of Sport, Recreation and Healthy Living, Lifesaving Society PEI Branch, City of Charlottetown, City of Summerside, CARI Complex, Town of Cornwall and Provincial Parks of Prince Edward Island. We also wish to thank the many recreation and pool professionals who participated in the development of these guidelines. RESOURCE LIST Environmental Health...(902) 368-4970 Toll Free in PEI...1-800-958-6400 Occupational Health and Safety Office...1-800-237-5049 Poison Control Centre...1-800-565-8161 Recreation PEI...(902) 892-6445 PEI Red Cross Division...(902) 628-6262 Lifesaving Society PEI Branch...(902) 368-7757 2 Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island
Introduction Recreation PEI Inc. is a volunteer, not for profit, provincial association dedicated to: promoting and encouraging all facets of recreation, physical activity, facilities and parks; enhancing opportunities for all Islanders to live healthy, active lifestyles; and increasing public and political awareness of the detrimental effects of physical inactivity in Prince Edward Island. Recreation PEI has developed the following guidelines for owners, operators and staff of pools within the province. The purpose of the booklet is to assist facilities in providing a safe and healthy swimming environment for their patrons. The document is designed to complement the new Swimming Pool and Waterslide Regulations for PEI. The information contained in this booklet may not fit every circumstance in every pool facility. If you require additional copies of this booklet, information or clarification regarding any of the topics addressed in the guidelines, please contact Recreation PEI at (902) 892-6445; or Environmental Health at (902) 368-4970, or (toll-free in PEI) 1-800-958-6400. Yours Truly, Beth Grant Executive Director Recreation PEI Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island 3
Section 1: Operating Procedures 1.1 Bather Load The maximum bathing load in a swimming pool or other water recreational facility shall not exceed one person per 1.5 square meters of pool surface. 1.2 Lifeguard to Bather Ratios The following chart outlines the recommended minimum number of Lifeguards to provide safe levels of supervision to the average environment. Number of bathers on the deck & in the Minimum number of lifeguards on duty pool 0-40 1 41-80 2 81-140 3 141-200 4 201 and beyond One additional lifeguard for each additional 100 bathers or fraction thereof NOTE: The bather-to-lifeguard ratio represents a minimum standard. Circumstances (e.g., pool size, depth, design, equipment usage, ability of patrons) may require more lifeguards to be on duty to maintain a safe level of supervision. Where there is only one lifeguard on duty, the owner/operator shall ensure that there is at least one other individual on the premises who is within call of the lifeguard and who is able to provide emergency assistance when requested. 1.3 Program Ratios For facilities providing programming, the facility manager should ensure ratios are followed according to the program provider. If no ratios are available the recommended maximum guideline for instructor student ratio is 1:10. To ensure the safety & supervision of program participants, facility management should implement systems/policies that include: Defined meeting locations where students meet their instructor/coach; Procedures to safely guide students out of the pool area after completion of the program; Supervision practices for instructors designed to provide continuous observation of all students. It is recommended that lifeguards be on duty during programming (in addition to the supervision of the instructors/coaches). 4 Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island
1.4 Record Keeping & Documentation The operator must keep the following records for at least a seven-year period: Total number of bathers per swim/per day; All emergencies and rescue reports; Minor And Major First Aid; Minor And Major Water Rescues; Patron And Staff Incident Forms; Shift Report Forms; Fatality Reports; Any and all other emergency incidents; Equipment checklist; Daily check of facility rescue and first aid equipment; Test buttons were activated for ground fault currents; Alarms and emergency switches checked; Telephone for emergency use was checked; and A photocopy of required staff qualifications. The following items should be tested and documented regularly: Free Available Chlorine (FAC) (at least 4 times daily) Combined Chlorine (at least once daily) ph (at least 4 times daily) Total Alkalinity (at least once a week) Cyanuric Acid (at least once a week) Water Temperature (at least once daily) Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island 5
1.5 Cleanliness Pools and their surrounding areas require a considerable amount of maintenance in order to keep them clean. The cleanliness of a pool can seriously impact the number of patrons attending the pool, as well as their swimming experience. It is recommended that a maintenance plan be created that ensures that all areas of the pool are cleaned on a regular basis, and that identifies which cleaning products are safe to use in the pool area. There are already a number of chemicals being used in the pool area and most people walk around on bare feet, so it is important to select the proper cleaning agents. The following information may be useful when designing a cleaning schedule/plan: As the number of pool users increase (increased bather load), so should the frequency of cleaning. It is the responsibility of the pool operator to create a cleaning schedule that meets the demands of the particular facility. Pool Deck Disinfect the pool deck frequently Puddles on the pool deck may become contaminated very quickly and should be cleaned up quickly. Hosing, sweeping, vacuum cleaning or wet mopping are generally best done after pool closes for the night so that the facility appears dry, clean and fresh in the morning. Locker Rooms and Showers These public areas demand great attention Major cleaning to be done after pool hours or before opening in the morning During periods of heavy use, hourly cleaning should occur Cleaning to be performed every two hours during normal use Floors must be kept as dry as possible and well disinfected to help prevent the spread of disease such as athlete s foot Benches are to be disinfected at least once a day 6 Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island
Section 2: Equipment 2.1 First Aid Kit Operators must provide fully stocked first aid kits as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Prince Edward Island (Section 9.11 of Occupational Health & Safety Act). 2.2 Lifesaving/Rescue Equipment Operators must ensure that the following list of equipment be available on or around the pool deck area (according to the Swimming Pool and Waterslide Regulations): Spinal board with head/neck immobilizers with neck straps (for Class A and C pools where lifeguards are present). Section 21 (f) Two buoyant throwing aids, each of which has securely attached to it a rope of at least 0.6 centimetres in diameter and of a length not less than ½ the width of the pool plus three metres. Section 21 (c) For pools smaller than 500 square metres, an electrically insulated or non-conducting reaching pole not less than 365 centimetres in length; or for pools 500 square metres or larger, two reaching poles as described above. Sections 21 (a) and 21 (b) Signaling device or surveillance system (phone, buzzer, bell, video camera, etc.). Section 21 (e) First Aid Kit as mentioned above Section 21 (d) Other suggested lifeguard equipment includes: One whistle, per lifeguard on duty; Emergency blanket(s); Personal protective equipment (gloves, mask etc.); AED; and Oxygen. Section 3: Water Quality 3.1 Water Clarity Every owner and operator of a pool shall ensure that the pool water is of a clarity level to permit: a black disc 15 centimeters in diameter is visible when located in the deepest part of the pool. OR Section 10 (b) the cover of the main drain located at the deepest part of the pool is visible; Section 10 (a) Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island 7
3.2 Water Chemistry Every owner and every operator shall ensure that the pool water is treated with chlorine, a chlorine compound, or a bromine compound. Alkalinity The total alkalinity value of the water shall be within the range of 80 to 120 mg/l. This range protects against rapid ph change. Test once a week. ph levels The ph value of the water shall be within the range of 7.2 to 7.8 the disinfectant is effective only in this range and it also provides for bather comfort and reduces wear on equipment. Test at least 4 times daily Free Available Chlorine For swimming pools, other than a whirlpool or wading pool, the Free Available Chlorine level should be maintained within the range of 1.0 mg/l to 3.0 mg/l. For whirlpools, the free available chlorine level must be a minimum of 3.0 mg/l or equivalent. Level of FAC should never go below 1.0 ppm during operating hours. When FAC is kept within the right or recommended range, germs will be killed quickly and effectively. Test at least four times a day. Testing frequency may also need to increase during periods of high bather load, or in sunny weather as the sun can affect the effectiveness of the disinfectant. Combined Chlorine Test at least once daily (more frequently depending on bather load). Concentration to be kept below.02 mg/l (ppm) for both swimming pools and whirlpools as combined chlorine is a poor disinfectant, creates a bad odor (characteristic chlorine smell) and irritates the eyes. Superchlorinate or shock as needed, to remove combined chlorine. Calcium Hardness The calcium hardness of the water should be within the range of 150 mg/l to 375 mg/l. For whirlpools, 150 mg/l to 200 mg/l. This protects the pool surface and the equipment. Test on a weekly basis Cyanuric Acid The cyanuric acid in the water shall not exceed 100 mg/l in the swimming pools, and 60 mg/l in whirlpools. Concentrations higher than this will over stabilize the water and reduce the ability of the disinfectant to kill bacteria. Test on a weekly basis Water Temperature Test at least every 24 hours 8 Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island
3.3 Pool Contaminations Every public aquatic facility shall adopt a procedure to deal with a pool contamination incident. This procedure shall be able to provide for the removal of the contaminating material and provide effective disinfecting of the pool. A pool fouling incident may involve the release of feces, vomit, blood, or other organic, potentially infective material into the pool water. Operators should keep a water contamination response log outlining pertinent information during pool contamination incidents. Measures shall be implemented that minimize the probability of a pool fouling incident. Children who have not been toilet trained shall be required to wear either a cloth diaper covered by an impermeable pant with closures that seal around the leg and waist openings, or pool diapers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Swimming Pool Foundations both have resources available for recommended pool fouling procedures. Section 4: Emergency Procedures Each facility must have documented emergency procedures available to all staff and volunteers. Procedures will be set forth as per the facility layout and design. Facility operators should have a policy and procedures manual in place, and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) should be addressed within this manual. This manual should be reviewed on a regular basis. 4.1 General Procedures These are generalized procedures which can be adapted to a variety of incidents or injuries. Minor Emergencies adequate pool coverage can be maintained at all times by one or more lifeguards (eg. Simple first aid, public relations, etc.) Major Emergencies adequate pool coverage cannot be maintained and pool(s) must be cleared until lifeguard attention can be directed back to pool supervision (eg. Multiple victims, serious first aid, pullout requiring, resuscitation). To develop emergency procedures for your pool, the Lifesaving Society lifeguarding manual Alert, Lifeguard in action is an excellent resource. This manual also provides excellent guidance for many of the safety practices that are required for a safe environment. 4.2 Circumstantial or Facility Specific Procedures Circumstantial or facility specific procedures are designed to address very specific situations that may require very clear, detailed procedures. These situations may include events which threaten multiple individuals such as a fire or a gas leak. Other situations such as the treatment of possible spinal injuries benefit from developing very clear and detailed procedures which can be practised and developed to a competent and consistent level of skill. Facility management and staff should analyse the types of situations that would benefit from specialized procedures and develop the appropriate emergency procedures. Examples of common specialized procedures include: Fire Evacuation Police, theft, assault, bomb threats etc. Missing Persons Water Quality Issues Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island 9
Chemical Emergencies Emergency Shut off Procedures Power Outages 4.3 Content of Procedures Emergency procedures should include and document at least these elements: Emergency signals Procedures for clearing the pool Roles of all responding staff Roles of bystanders Procedures for contacting emergency services Defined focal points for removing a victim from the water and providing treatment Emergency equipment required Procedure for notifying any other persons (eg. Management, victim s family members etc.) Procedure for dealing with media inquiries (or media contact person) Procedure for dealing with social media 4.4 Contacting Emergency Medical Services Facility operators are responsible for ensuring that the lifeguards and/or staff have access to an emergency telephone which is easily accessible from the pool deck. Emergency contact telephone numbers & the address of the facility should be posted next to the emergency phone. Section 5: Personnel & Supervision 5.1 Training & Orientation Operators must ensure that lifeguards and assistant lifeguards who may be on duty at any pool are trained in emergency and operational procedures. It is recommended that regular in-service training is conducted by the operator to maintain skills and knowledge relating to the policies & procedures of the facility for all staff. 5.2 Qualifications Every operator shall ensure that any lifeguard who is on duty at the operator s pool is: not be less than 16 years of age; be trained in emergency and operational procedures for that pool; trained in water rescue, first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; trained in the procedures and in the use of the equipment provided pursuant to section 21 of the PEI Pool and Waterslide Regulations. 10 Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island
5.3 Lifeguard Scanning When only one lifeguard is on duty, at least one backup person trained in emergency procedures is recommended. Backup personnel must be trained and within verbal call to assist with delivery of emergency procedures. A greater number of lifeguards is desirable, and in some situations, is required to safely supervise the swimming area. When establishing the number of lifeguards required, the operator must take several factors into account: lifeguard requirements and factors effecting lifeguard scanning. The Lifesaving Society recommends a 10-30 second scanning window the time it should take a lifeguard to complete a full and effective scan of his or her designated supervision zone. This scanning window provides for the typical variables that affect scanning time such as: type of facility, size of zone, number of bathers and their activities, and equipment used by bathers. Scans must take in: o Areas of bather congestion o Fixed and portable equipment o Hazards, blind spots, pool basin edges and corners o Hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms o Other lifeguards on duty o The surface, middle and bottom of pool basins The pool bottom must be a priority during visual scanning. Lifeguards should respond immediately to any unusual shadows, smudges or dark objects below the surface. Disturbance of the pool surface caused by swimmers, splashing, wind or rain for example can distort or completely obscure the lifeguard s view of a victim on the bottom. Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island 11
5.4 Signage Operators are responsible for posting adequate signature to convey the following messages to bathers: (a) that no breakable articles are allowed in the pool or on the deck; (b) that running is not permitted on the deck; (c) that proper swim attire is required in the pool; (d) the maximum number of bathers permitted on the deck and in the pool as indicated by the operating permit; (e) that bathers must shower before entering the pool; (f) where lifeguard services are not provided, that children under 12 years of age are not permitted to swim without adult supervision and that bathers swim at their own risk; (g) where there are part-time lifeguard services provided, the hours of the lifeguard service; and (h) that no person shall enter a pool who: (i) is obviously ill; (ii) has an open wound or sore (iii) has any untreated fungal infection of the skin or nails; (iv) has sore or infected eyes; (v) has a discharging ear or nose; or (vi) has any communicable disease. 12 Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island
APPENDIX I: Swimming Pool Rules & Regulations No breakable items in the pool or on the deck No running on the deck Proper swim attire must be worn Maximum number of persons in the pool is Bathers must shower before entering pool Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult if no lifeguards are on duty Swim at your own risk Hours of lifeguard service (if there are lifeguards) posted. From to (Dates), from to (hours of operation) No swimming if you have signs of an infectious or contagious illness No use of alcohol around the pool No splashing, pushing or horseplay Inappropriate language will not be tolerated No smoking in or around the pool No throwing foreign matter (grass/rocks/etc.) into the pool Diving Board and Area Rules No double bouncing One diver on the diving board at a time Divers should not jump towards the side Divers must wait until the previous diver has reached the deck Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island 13
APPENDIX II: Swimming Pool Test Guidelines Test Why Test When to Test ph = 7.2 to 7.8 Ideal 7.4 to 7.6 Free chlorine mg/l* to 3.0 mg/l or equivalent Combined chlorine = 0 to 0.2 ppm Total alkalinity = 80 to 120 mg/l Calcium hardness (concrete) 150mg/l to 375mg/l (tile and vinyl) 150 to 225 ppm Cyanuric Acid = 25 to 50 ppm A maximum of 100 mg/l *l = litre Disinfectant works within ph range only. Bather comfort. Less equipment wear at ideal ph. Kills germs quickly. (Max. 5 ppm) Poor disinfectant, bad odor, irritates eyes. Superchlorinate or shock as needed to remove. Prevents rapid ph change. Protects pool surface and equipment Prevents chlorine loss in sunlight. (outdoor pools only) Four times daily Four times daily Once daily; depends on bather load Once weekly Weekly Weekly Please Note: these are general recommended levels of pool chemicals for safe operation. For information on balancing pool chemistry, consult your chemical sales representative. 14 Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island
APPENDIX III: Commercial Spa Test Guidelines Test Why Test When to Test ph = 7.2 to 7.8 Ideal 7.4 to 7.6 Minimum of free chlorine 3.0mg/l* or equivalent Combined chlorine 0 to 0.2 ppm Total alkalinity 80 to 120 mg/l Skin, eye irritation. Low ph: staining and vinyl liner wrinkling. High ph: scaling, cloudy water. Disinfects spa water and kills germs Poor disinfectant, bad odour, irritates eyes. Super chlorinate or shock as needed to remove. Prevents rapid ph change Four times daily Four times daily Daily Once weekly Temperature (maximum 40 C/104 F) Hyperthermia As needed Calcium hardness 150mg/l to 200mg/l Cyanuric acid A maximum of 60 mg/l *l = litre Protects pool surfaces and equipment Prevents chlorine loss in sunlight. (outdoor pools only) Weekly Weekly Please Note: it is recommended to raise the sanitizer level in spa to 10 ppm at the end of each day. Guidelines for Owners of Regulated Swimming Pools in Prince Edward Island 15
Communications PEI 2015 15HW41-41201