Pool Standards 2014 (Amended 2017)

Pool Standards 2014 (Amended 2017)

How Did We Get Here? Continued Challenge: Respond to New Evidence Provincial Aquatic Committee (AHS) Two anti-entrapment workshops Meetings with Industry: Anti-entrapment Safety and Supervision Monitoring steam rooms 2

Updates and Resources Regulation did not change Revised title: Pool Standard 2014 (Amended 2017) 2 The Pool Standards, July 2014 published by the Department, as amended from time to time, are declared in force. Letter / email to operators Pool Standards Update for Operators resource http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-poolstandards-operators.pdf 3

Exclusions, Additions Options Float tanks excluded Not intended for constructed beaches Two major changes Outdoor pool fecal response Assessment of entrapment Increased flexibility for operators 4

General: Dry Sauna / Steam Sauna Change: Dry sauna and Steam sauna. Rationale: Aligns with common definitions Note: No intent to make facilities change signage that refer to steam rooms. 5

General: Cleaning and Sanitation Change: Modify the requirement for disinfection in cleaning schedules. 13.1 A General Sanitation Plan for a public swimming pool premises must list the chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection, and specify a routine schedule for adequate cleaning, and where necessary, disinfecting of.. Rationale: Expectation is surfaces are kept clean No identified target organism Prevents development of AROs Note: Disinfectant should only used for an intended purpose (blood, vomit, fecal, other). 6

New Definitions Blockable Suction Outlet Anti-entrapment Device Maximum Flow Rate Assists with Assessment of Entrapment Secondary Disinfection Added from MAHC Means a disinfection process or system designed to achieve minimum 3-log reduction (99.9%) reduction in the number of infective cryptosporidium oocysts. 7

Crypto Benchmark: Outbreaks in US 1978-2012 8

Secondary Disinfection Crypto is the pathogen of concern 80% of outbreaks in the US in the last 10 years have been cryptosporidium Resistant to chlorine particularly in the presence of cyanuric acid MAHC added secondary disinfection to facilities used by high risk populations children using water spray parks and wading pools, and susceptible populations using therapy pools Ozone or ultraviolet light (with chlorine residual) to achieve 3 log reduction of crypto Draining pool can possibly achieve a 3-log reduction 9

New Section 2.8 Shower Exceptions Change: Showers used strictly for cooling off / rinsing between pools do not need to have soap or be maintained between 35 and 45 o C. Changes noted to Sections 2.1 and 2.6 Rationale: Clarifies what was intended in 2014 Standard Note: Water Spray Decks exemption 10

Section 2.5 Monitoring Length of Stay Changes: Allow reasonable provisions to assist in monitoring length of stay for steam and dry saunas Remove strict requirement for a clock Rationale: Clocks malfunction in steam saunas Other options exist which meet original intent sounds or lights Notes: Clocks remain required for whirlpools Intent is not that facility monitors each patron s usage 11

Clocks in Steam rooms 12

Section 3.1.2 Lower turnover rates in older pools Change: Water slides and whirlpools (built prior to November 30, 2006), can have lower turnover rates Chlorine, ph, ORP, clarity and microbiological requirements must be acceptable Rationale: No health risk if healthy outcomes can be maintained Note: No exception here for wading pools 13

Section 3.1.3 Turnover period for connected basins Change: Added water slide receiving pools to the list of water features captured by swimming pool turnover time Rationale: Water slide receiving pools had been unintentionally omitted. 14

Section 3.3.1 Filtration Rate Change: Apply the maximum filtration rate for pools (10 L/s/m 2 or 15 GPM/ft 2 ) to water slide receiving pools, wading pools and recirculating water spray parks also. Rationale: Clarifies an unintentional omission Facilitates approval of water spray park plans 15

Section 3.3.2 Filtration Rates for Older Pools Change: Allows higher filtration rates for pools constructed prior to November 30, 2006, if manufacturers specifications and water quality criteria are met Rationale: High rate sand filters only Gives flexibility where safe outcomes are being demonstrated and specifications are being followed Note: Any upgrade to filtration requires AHS approval and modern rates would apply 16

Section 4.5.1 Total Alkalinity Changes: Suggested total alkalinity range revised to 60-180ppm Can be outside this range where water quality can be maintained Rationale: MAHC expanded range Range can be challenging to maintain in unique systems, yet water quality remains acceptable 17

Section 5.1 Records for Pump Maintenance Change: Additional clarity around the requirement to keep operating records for pump modifications. Rationale: Important to track and record work on pumps Maintenance can affect flow rate, recirculation and entrapment risk. 18

Anti-Entrapment 19

Main Submerged Suction Outlet Section 9.3.1 Changes: Date for compliance extended to 2019 Remove reference to cover in favor of outlet Rationale: Timeframe extended to recognize burden on facilities, without sacrificing safety Suction outlets are comprised of cover and sump 20

Main Submerged Suction Outlet Section 9.3.2 Changes: Removes outdated reference to velocity at cover in favour of system flow rate Calculation accounts for maximum flow rate over all interconnected drains Rationale: Flow rate (not velocity) critical in assessing entrapment risk Note: Anti-Entrapment Compliance Audit Tool being developed by Aquatic Committee 21

Schedule C Flow Capacity Requirements for Suction Outlets Changes: Remove calculation of velocity through suction outlets Maximum flow rate now used Delete reference to pools constructed after November 30, 2014 Note: Potential burden on some older facilities (pre 2014) to ensure that if one drain is covered, the remaining outlets must be able to accommodate 100% of the flow. 22

Table to support Section 9.3.2 2 outlets in total 3 outlets in total 4 outlets in total 5 outlets in total 6 outlets in total >6 outlets in total Percent of maximum flow rate through each outlet. 100% 50% 33% 25% 20% 100% / [# of interconnected outlets 1] 23

Main Submerged Suction Outlet Section 9.3.3 Changes: Maximum flow rate of the system will be required to be calculated by an engineer if operator cannot easily determine Rationale: Some systems will not be easily measurable Gravity drainage Secured systems 24

Maximum Flow Rate 101 25

Maximum Flow Rate 101 Maximum Flow Rate Circulation Rate Assume worst case scenario Have to take into account all pumps connected to the suction outlet Eg) Whirlpool may have a circulation pump and jet pump Further resources (webinar and guidance document) in development 26

Section 9.4 Single or Interconnected Submerged Suction Outlet Changes & Rationale: Extend compliance date to 2019 The term blockable replaces unblockable Preferred terminology by certifying agencies Clarify distances between suction outlets 26 inches (outside to inside) 27

Section 9.4 Single or Interconnected Submerged Suction Outlet Changes and Rationale: Gravity feed systems with one drain or insufficient distance would be acceptable if approved by an engineer Complicated calculations More options for operators Suction outlets with less than 26 distance are exempted if the outlets are on different planes Not in a seating area (back and butt) 28

Outlets on Different Planes 29

Section 9.5 Other Submerged Suction Outlets Changes: Addition of notwithstanding clause to exempt equalizer and vacuum lines from suction outlet requirements in 9.3 and 9.4 Still need a cover to prevent risk of entrapment Rationale: Clarifies that these covers are different Section 9.6.1 speaks to safety of these outlets 30

Section 9.6 - Damaged Submerged Suction Outlets Changes: Specify that all covers (including equalizer and vacuum) must be checked daily EHO to conditionally allow a swimming pool to remain open if cover is in disrepair Never a wading pool or whirlpool 31

Section 9.6 - Damaged Submerged Suction Outlets Rationale: Extremely onerous to close a pool. Risk might be acceptable if appropriate measures are put in place that satisfy EHO. Not an indefinite approval 32

Section 10 Written Policies and Plans Changes: Pool Safety and Supervision plans continue to be developed based on current best practices but removed specific reference to Lifesaving Society. Rationale: Continue to emphasize industry best practices. Allows reference to Lifesaving or Red Cross as well as internal resources. 33

Section 11.1 Patron Education and Notification Changes: Remove prescriptive requirements for what a plan must address (formerly 11.1.2) use of pictures, signs, notices, other languages Exempt water spray parks from signage requirements. Introduce convey and remove understood by all Rationale: Intent is to allow flexibility in how messages are conveyed to patrons Difficult to ensure information is understood Prescriptive sign requirements weren t meant for spray parks. No street footwear, no glass, bather load, etc 34

Schedule A Diarrhea-Contaminated Water Former Lower ph to 6.5 and raise FAC to 40ppm for at least 30 hours or an equivalent CT Value. Note: Equivalent CT removed- not a linear relationship. New In water where CYA is present, lower CYA concentration to 15ppm, and raise free chlorine to either: 20 ppm for at least 28 hours, 30 ppm for 18 hours or 40ppm for at least 8.5 hours. 35

Crypto Resistance and Cyanuric Acid Chlorine conc (ph 7.6) Cyanuric Acid CT for Crypto (3 log reduction) Hours 38.3 ppm 15 mg/l 19,400 8.5 hours 21 ppm (ORP 653 mv) 48 mg/l 76,500 1 log removal 61.9 hours 20 ppm 100 ppm 6 days (0.8 log reduction) 40 ppm 100 ppm 72 hours (1.4 log reduction) MAHC is reviewing cyanuric acid reactions in pools 36

Next Steps: Alberta Health Contact with Associations/Other Ministries Municipal Affairs regarding the Alberta Building Code Provincial Committee work with AHS Alberta Health Services Letter / Email to operators 37

Future Issues? 38

Thank you Debra Mooney, Health Protection Branch, Alberta Health 780.427.8273 debra.mooney@gov.ab.ca Jason MacDonald, Health Protection Branch, Alberta Health 780.641.9588 jason.macdonald@gov.ab.ca 39