Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Health Protection Branch Population Health and Wellness Division Ministry of Health
April 2011
Guideline General Floors in dressing rooms, shower stalls, toilet areas, pool basins, decks, and other walking areas, including stairs, should be: (d) made of durable material which: (i) is impervious to moisture; (ii) is designed to minimize bacterial growth; (iii) allows for thorough cleaning; and (e) retains a texture which is non-slip (slip-resistant) and causes no discomfort to bare ft; and (f) designed to: (i) slope to drain with a minimum uniform slope of 2 per cent and a maximum slope of 4 per cent, except for wheelchair (accessible) ramps; (ii) be free of tripping hazards such as uneven surfaces or changes in elevation; and (iii) be free from physical hazards that could cause injury to bare ft. Tiles Tiles proposed for all pool areas should be: a) slip-resistant and have a surface which is not conducive to slipping under contact of bare ft; b) designated by the manufacturer as suitable for walking surfaces in wet areas or for use in pool areas, and c) coved at the wall juncture for ease of cleaning.
Depth Markings
Diving into shallow water can result in spinal injury, head, brain or other traumatic injury and may result in death. A non-swimmer jumping or falling into deep water may result in drowning. Clear depth markings at poolside help increase patrons awareness of these dangers. Depth markings are to be displayed in metric and imperial measurements. Guideline Depth marks for swimming pools should: a) be visible by swimmers in the pool, as this allows those with limited swimming ability to make themselves aware that they may be moving into deeper water; b) indicate the depth of water in metric and imperial units of measurement; c) be located above the water surface on the pool wall and on the walkway at the pool edge. For deck level pools, depth markers may be located overhead or on another structure as long as the markers are in full view from all locations in the pool and at the pool edge; d) be located at maximum and minimum depth, at 30 cm (1 ft) depth increments between the shallow depth and the point of break inclusive, and at other intermediate points spaced at not more than 7.62 m (25 ft) intervals measured peripherally;
Depth markings may be omitted for hot tubs under 10 m2 (107 sq ft) in surface area where the intent of the regulation is met by other signage, such as inno diving in signs.
Lighting
Sufficient lighting is essential to ensure: a) patrons are able to move safely throughout the facility; b) staff can provide adequate supervision of bathers; c) first aid can be performed; and d) that cleaning and maintenance can be performed. Lighting should be sufficient to illuminate all portions of the swimming pool, including the pool basin and apron to ensure that all areas of the pool basin and apron are clearly visible to patrons, the operator, the lifeguards and supervisory personnel. Underwater lights may be used to help achieve this. Guideline For indoor pools and pools used at night, a complete system of artificial lighting is to be provided, supplying and maintaining at least 200 Lux (15 ft candles) of illumination at all points 76 cm (30 in) above the water surface, the deck, and in areas of the change rooms used by bathers. Illumination drawings should be submitted at the time of application. Once the construction is complete, the illumination levels should be confirmed and signed-off by the project electrical engineer. References Illuminating Engineering Society, IESNA RP 6.01 - Sports and Recreational Area Lighting, (2001).
Lifeguard Stands
Consultation with the pool industry, including life guarding agencies, has suggested lifeguard stands are seldom used and are useful only under certain circumstances, and therefore are not required by regulation. Guideline The need for lifeguard chairs or stands should be based on factors such as facility design, bather load, patron age and activity. The important outcome is that the pool is under complete and vigilant surveillance at all times. Whether that is best done from the pool deck, a lifeguard chair/stand or a combination is a matter of best judgment from an experienced lifeguard, supervisor and/or pool manager at that facility. Where they are installed, the number, location and use should be included in the pool safety plan. Lifeguard chairs or stands may be secured to the pool deck, or moveable chairs or stands may be used. Lifeguard stands and chairs must be manufactured by reputable pool equipment companies.
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Direct access to the pool should be prevented from all buildings including rental units (hotel room, townhouses etc.). Private courtyards cannot be open to the pool deck: either the pool area is fenced or each courtyard is equipped with a fence and gate (selfclosing, self-latching. Solid Barriers A solid barrier, such as brick, concrete or manufactured rock faces, may be considered in lieu of a fence. No indentations or protrusions shall be present, other than normal construction tolerances and masonry joints. The Brick Industry Association has established a maximum tolerance of .64 cm (.25 in) from plumb in 3.05 m (10 ft). This tolerance may be applied to fabricated rock walls. Hedges, Bushes and Plantings Hedges, or other plant materials, do not constitute a fence or solid barrier; and are not acceptable in lieu of a fence.
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Where entry gate latches are not at 1.52 m (5 ft) above the floor/deck: Door and gate latches should be provided with continually locked, key carded or other equivalent access control system. Or when doors and gates are constructed of materials that may allow children to reach through the fence, a solid material at least 46cm in radius should protect the latch. See Fig.3. Other Considerations a) Fencing structures that provide flexible opening should be evaluated to ensure the dimensions do not exceed standards when light forces are applied to the barrier such as a child could exert (e.g. tempered glass that flexes on its supports, allowing for entrapment of arms and legs between glass sheets and support structures or plants, etc.) The opening cannot exceed 10.16 cm (4 in) when flexed. b) Other factors influencing the height of a fence or barrier which should be considered are: (i) any local by-laws should be consulted to ensure that the minimum local requirements are met; and (ii) the majority of local by-laws recommend a fence height of 1.5 m (5 ft) or greater for backyard (residential) pools. This height may be enforced by the local building department for commercial pools;
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Pool Basin
The pool basin should be designed to reduce risk of injury to users, and reduce risk of bacterial growth in the pool by being easy to clean. Guideline Pool Basin Structure A pool basin should be structurally sound and essentially watertight; constructed of durable, impervious material which will provide a finish free from cracks and open joints. Slope of Pool Floor The pool floor should have a uniform slope not greater than: a) 1:12 where the water depth is less than 1.52 m (5 ft); b) 1: 2 where the water depth is greater than 1.52 m (5 ft). Wading pools and spray pools should have a uniform floor with a maximum slope of 1 in 15 and a minimum slope of 1 in 50. Pool Basin Finish and Surface A swimming pool basin should have a: a) smooth bottom surface where the water depth is more than 1.52 m (5 ft); and b) slip-resistant surface which causes no discomfort to bare ft on the walls and on the bottom surfaces where the water depth is less than 1.52 m (5 ft); c) where water depth is less than 1.52 m (5 ft) all surfaces must be non-slip including lane markers, patterns and other design features;
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Wall Fittings and Lifelines Wall fittings and any other necessary fittings should be installed so that a lifeline can be placed at the 1.5 m (5 ft) depth to designate the boundary between the swimming area and the diving area of the pool. Alternatively, a 10 cm (4 in) wide marking strip of contrasting colour should be placed down the sides and across the floor of the pool at the 1.52 m (5 ft) depth to designate the boundary between the two areas. Both wall fittings and lifelines may be installed.
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Minimum Change Room Surface Area (Floor Space) a) The overall change room area for the facility is the sum of the change room areas in the male, female and universal change areas. The change room area excludes gang showers, washrooms, halls, exits and entrances; b) The minimum change room area required for each bather should be at least 0.32 m2/bather (3.44 sq ft); c) Change rooms may be omitted in certain situations such as the apartment or condominium pools where users have access to these facilities nearby, however a toilet, hand basin and shower shall be provided conveniently near the pool. Universal Change Area (Family Change Room, Changing Villages) Mixed gender change areas may be provided in addition to separate gender change areas. These areas may consist only of cubicles or have a mixture of cubicles and enclosed rooms. a) To ensure privacy in the universal change area: cubicles in the universal change area should be designed to avoid any gaps between partitions and walls, and partitions and cubicle doors. partition and door height of the cubicle should be a minimum of 2.2 m (7.2 ft) to prevent those standing on the change area benches from seeing over the partition. partition and doors should be sufficiently low to the ground, approximately 10 cm (4 in), to prevent anyone from looking under the partition or door. b) Equivalency credit for plumbing fixtures in the universal change room: The maximum equivalency for general (non-gender specific) plumbing fixtures within the universal change room is counted as a maximum of one type of fixture per gender.
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c) at pool wall sections located between the gutter in the floor at beach like edges and the point on the pool wall where the water reaches 91 cm (3 ft). Gutter Drains Gutter drains should be provided at intervals of not more than 4.6 m (15 ft) and should be at least 5 cm (2 in) in diameter. Surface Skimming Devices Surface skimming devices may be used in place of gutters to remove surface water from a pool if the pool: a) has a surface area of 170 m2 (1,830 sq ft) or less; or b) is described by the inSkimmers in section. If the above applies to a pool, the number of surface skimming devices the pool must have is the greater of: a) the number of these devices calculated at the rate of one device for each 42 m2 (452 sq ft) of pool surface area or portion thereof; b) the number of these devices calculated at the rate of one device for each 115-180 liters/min (25 to 40 imperial gallons per minute) of design flow rate (c) one skimmer is required if the design flow rate is less than 115 litres/min (25 imperial gallons per minute).
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g) Piping related to pool operation should be properly identified through a standard system of colour coding, flow directional arrows and function labeling. References Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making Pools and Spas Safer, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, March 2005. Washington, D.C. 20207
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Surge Capacity
Surge capacity in a pool is achieved through free-board in skimmer pools. In gutter pools, the gutter, transit piping and the surge tank all contribute to the volume of surge capacity in the pool. Surge capacity increases the pools ability to maintain a steady water level in response to sudden changes in pool use. This ensures that gutters, skimmers, and other water intakes remains below the surface to the water to prevent loss of effective filtration, or other circulation problems. Guideline The surge capacity of pools should be designed for the maximum bathing load. Gutter Piping For deck-level pools (as compared to gutter pools with substantial in-pool freeboard), a minimum of 0.057 m3 (2 ft3) of surge capacity per bather, within the surge tank, should be provided for each bather (based on the maximum bathing load). It is preferable to have 0.084 m3 (3 ft3) of surge per bather when all gutters, piping and surge tanks are considered.
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Gas Chlorination
Many pools use chlorine gas as a disinfectant. When used as intended this provides an effective disinfectant, however a chlorine gas leak is can cause serious injury or death. Measures must be taken to ensure chlorine gas is stored and used safely. Guideline Protection of workers from chlorine gas falls under the jurisdiction of the WorkSafe BC. As chlorine leaks can lead to immediate danger for those working with it, attention should be paid to WorkSafe BC requirements. WorkSafe BCs Chlorine Safe Work Practice Manual can be found at: www.worksafebc.com/publications/health_and_safety/by_topic/occupational_hygiene/de fault.asp. Chlorine room should be located so that chlorine gas, if released, will not flow into the pool are or building ventilation systems. Chlorinator and related equipment are designed to cease operations in conjunction with shutdown of circulation pumps. Otherwise storage rooms should be designed in accordance with WorkSafe BC requirements.
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g)
i)
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Play equipment should be evaluated prior to patron use for hazards, and appropriate adjustments made to make it safe for use. These adjustments may include: a) developing procedures/rules for proper and safe use ;
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Pool Slides
Guideline As with any other aspect of pool design, Slides or other pieces of play equipment must meet the health authoritys approval of the design and location prior to installation and use.
Slides
Slide design and location should take into consideration: a) the size of the individual who will use the slide; b) their trajectory upon sliding in the water; c) the depth of the water, including slope of the pool basin floor; d) proximity of pool sides. Slides should be installed and maintained according to manufacturers specifications. If a prefabricated slide is from a U.S. manufacturer, the material and construction should meet with an acceptable health and safety standard in accordance with the Consumer Product Safety Act of the U.S. An operator should be stationed at the slide for supervision. Signage should be provided indicating: a) one rider at a time; b) wait until the landing area is clear before entering the slide; c) slide in the sitting position or on the back only; d) do not attempt to stop on the slide; e) leave the plunge area immediately; f) users of the slide must be of an age and size to manage the slide.
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Waterslides
Water slides are regulated under the Safety Standards Act -- Elevating Devices Safety Regulation by the BC Safety Authority, unless it is exempted pursuant to Section 18(2) of the EDSR. The CSA Standard Z267-00 is used as a reference in conjunction with this regulation. Construction and water quality in the following types of slides may, however, be evaluated against this standard and the Pool Regulation: a) Water slide landing pools; b) Water slides less than 3 m (10 ft) high; c) Water slides less than 30 m (100 ft) long; d) Water slides with a slope of less than 0.1; e) Water slides with rider velocity less than or equal to 3.6 m/sec (12 ft/sec). Water slide circulation systems fall under the jurisdiction of the regulation with respect to suction and entrapment hazards. The following should be considered in the design of water slides: a) the bottom of the slide should be visible from the sliders entry point at the top of the slide. The use of cameras or controlled access may be considered in achieving this objective; b) where 2 deceleration flumes are side by side, there should be at least 12 m (4 ft) of deck space between flumes so that bathers may exit the pool here in an emergency; c) flows from water drawn from the pool circulation system for the water slide must be accounted for in the pool re-circulation design and data. In wall drains built into the wall a full vault design that vents to the pool deck or atmosphere to break any suction should be considered. References Canadian Standards Association, CAN/CSA-Z267-00 (R2004) Safety Code for Amusement Rides and Devices.
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Winter Hazards
Outdoor pools operated in cold climates are subject to unique hazards such as ice formation on decks, steps and ladders. Waterslides may be subject to freezing of water in the slide which may be sharp enough to seriously cut a person. Guideline All pools operating in a location where there is a possibility of water freezing on the deck or edge of the pool must provide an effective method of heating the deck, access walkways and stairs to prevent the formation of ice and maintain it in an ice-free condition. Consideration should be given to preventing the formation of ice on waterslides of other structures in the design. Pools that are shut down in the winter may require special design consideration and maintenance procedures to prevent damage to the pool during winter.
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Pool Area (sq m): Maximum Bathing Load: Pool Volume: Turnover (L):
Min.
Max. Total:
Pool Basin Colour: hrs. at design flow rate of Flow TDH L/m at m
Re-circulating Pump - Make & Model: Hydro-Air Pump Make & Model: Other Pumps (Spray Feature, Waterslide Pumps etc) Make & Model:
Flow TDH Flow TDH Flow TDH Flow TDH Flow TDH
L/m at
L/m at
L/m at
L/m at
L/m at
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Filter Make and Model: Surface area of each filter (sq m): Surface area of each element (sq m): Rate of Filtration:
Igpm / ft.2 (12.5 Ipm / sq. metres)
Number of elements:
Total Filter Capacity (Rate of filtration x total area): L/m GAUGES: Pressure Flow Indicator: Vacuum Make & Model: Thermometers Range (L/m): to Nos.
Backwash Pump - Make & Model: Backwash rate per filter (L/m): DISINFECTION: Make and Model: Point of Injection: Maximum dosing rate: FEEDERS: Chemical Filter Infl.
ppm.
Flow: IPM at
m TDH
Hypochlorite
Other:
Slurry
Make and Model: Capacity: Injection point: POOL INLETS: Type: Size:
Total No.
at
ft. spacing
MAIN DRAIN:
(min 2 drains required for all pools) Size of free opening (sq cm):
No.
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Expand and list all drains if more than one pump draws from more than two drains in spaces that follow. Use additional page if required.
DRAIN:
No.
DRAIN:
DRAIN:
Velocity through grate opening (m/sec) Deck level Size (cm) NSF Approved: Max. overflow capacity (L/min) Yes No Other
Number of drains (m spacing) Skimmers Make and Model: No. of skimmers (sq m)
Public
Private
Control:
Manual
Automatic Yes No
Yes
No
Backflow preventer:
Filter backwash must be separated from the sewer or drainage system by an air gap with a distance of twice the diameter of the largest discharge pipe.
PIPING:
Copper
Galv.
Plastic
Other:
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PIPING:
Copper
Galv.
Plastic
Other:
PIPING:
Copper
Galv.
Plastic
Other:
The foregoing data is a true statement of facts pertaining to this pool as it is to be constructed. Signature and Seal (Design Engineer or Architect):
Date:
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