Code
Any of the following violations are IMMINENT HEALTH HAZARDS which shall require immediate correction or immediate POOL closure:
1) Failure to provide adequate supervision and staffing of the AQUATIC FACILITY as prescribed in this CODE;
2) Failure to provide the minimum DISINFECTANT residual levels listed in various sections of this CODE;
3) pH level below 6.5;
4) pH level above 8.0;
5) Failure to continuously operate the AQUATIC VENUE filtration and DISINFECTION equipment;
6) Use of an unapproved or contaminated water supply source for potable water use;
7) Unprotected overhead electrical wires within 20 feet horizontally of the AQUATIC VENUE;
8) Non GFCI protected electrical receptacles within 20 feet of the inside wall of the AQUATIC VENUE;
9) Failure to maintain an emergency lighting source;
10) Absence of all required lifesaving equipment on DECK;
11) AQUATIC VENUE bottom not visible;
12) Total absence of or improper depth markings at an AQUATIC VENUE;
13) Plumbing cross-connections between the drinking water supply and AQUATIC VENUE water or between sewage system and the AQUATIC VENUE including filter backwash facilities;
14) Failure to provide and maintain an ENCLOSURE or BARRIER to inhibit unauthorized access to the AQUATIC FACILITY or AQUATIC VENUE when required;
15) Use of unapproved chemicals or the application of chemicals by unapproved methods to the AQUATIC VENUE water;
16) Broken, unsecured, or missing main drain grate or any submerged suction outlet grate in the AQUATIC VENUE;
17) Number of BATHERS/PATRONS exceeds the THEORETICAL PEAK OCCUPANCY;
18) Broken glass or sharp objects in AQUATIC VENUE or on DECK area; or
19) Any other item determined to be a public health hazard by the AHJ.
Annex
IMMINENT HEALTH HAZARD violations must be corrected at the time of inspection or the POOL must be closed until the violations are corrected. Whenever a POOL is closed due to a public health violation, signage must be posted stating that the facility is closed due to an IMMINENT HEALTH HAZARD. Before removing the closure sign and reopening in the feature, a follow-up inspection or other evidence of correction of the violations is required to ascertain correction and re-open the POOL.
The factors being considered IMMINENT HEALTH HAZARDS cover known risk areas:
* Low or absent disinfectant levels lead to reduced inactivation of pathogens and these conditions have been associated with infectious disease outbreaks.
* Low pH has been associated with loss of dental enamel. Dental erosion begins to occur below pH 6.0 and rapidly accelerates as the pH drops.504,505,506 High pH reduces the efficacy of CHLORINE-based DISINFECTION by reducing the amount of molecular hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the active form that is available for DISINFECTION. At pH 7.0, about 70% of the hypochlorous acid is molecular, at pH 7.5 about 50% is molecular, at pH 8.0 about 20% is molecular, and at pH 8.5 only 10% is molecular. As a result, the MAHC decided to set upper and lower limits for pH as an IMMINENT HEALTH HAZARD.
* Injuries/deaths occur to persons using equipment such as vacuums and reach poles at swimming POOLS when this equipment contacts overhead wires which are too close to the POOL.
* Clearance in any direction from the water, edge of POOL, etc. is to protect people using rescue and service equipment at POOLS, which are typically aluminum.
* Clearance in any direction to the diving platform, tower, waterslide or other fixed POOL related structure is to protect a swimmer using these items.
* Follow-up procedure for observance of electrical lines within 20 feet (6.1 m) of a swimming POOL during an inspection:
o Determine whether the electrical lines are owned by the utility company or by the owner/operator of the swimming POOL/property.
o If they are owned by the utility company, the operator should obtain a letter from the utility company stating that these lines are in compliance with NEC 680 STANDARDS.
o If the lines are owned by the owner/operator, and there is no waiver or variance, it is a public health hazard.
o This requirement does not apply to wiring inside walls/ceilings, etc. at an indoor POOL.