The Model Aquatic Health Code

MAHC provisions address essentially three areas: * Design & Construction (Chapter 4), * Operation & Maintenance (Chapter 5), * Policies & Management (Chapter 6). In addition, an overarching, scientifically referenced explanation of the MAHC as a risk reduction plan is provided in the Annex using the same numbering format for easy cross reference.

The CODE follows a numeric outline format. The structural numbering system having different indent, font and color size in the document is as follows: 1.0 Chapter 1.1 Part 1.1.1 Subpart 1.1.1.1 Section 1.1.1.1.1 Paragraph 1.1.1.1.1.1 Sub-Paragraph

On the same line and next to the number is a title, keyword, or phrase summary showing the information contained in the corresponding MAHC wording below.

Recommended MAHC requirement wording is shown below the number of title, keyword, or phrase. These requirements usually appear in sentence or paragraph format.

Appropriate charts, diagrams, and other illustrative material found in the Chapters will also appear in the Annex.

Each Part or Sub-part is repeated throughout CODE Chapters 4.0 (Design Standards & Construction) and 5.0 (Operation & Maintenance). For example, the section titled “Disinfection and pH Control,” has two parts: 1) Design recommendations and construction aspects, addressed in Subpart 4.7.3 and 2) Operation and maintenance aspects, addressed in Subpart 5.7.3. If a topic is not applicable then that section is marked with a N/A (e.g., the size or width of the decking is not applicable for Operation & Maintenance versus Design Standards & Construction). This is designed to allow MAHC users to see how a topic of interest applies under both chapter headings.

The following conventions are used in the Model Aquatic Health Code: 1) “Shall” means the act is imperative, i.e., “shall” constitutes a command. 2) “May not” means absolute prohibition. 3) “May” is permissive and means the act is allowed. 4) “Means” is followed by a declared fact.

Defined glossary words and terms are in “SMALL CAPS” in the text of the CODE chapters to alert the reader that there is a specific meaning assigned to those terms and that the meaning of a provision is to be interpreted in the defined context. A concerted effort was also made to place in “SMALL CAPS” all forms and combinations of those defined words and terms that were intended to carry the weight of the definition.

The annex is provided to: 1) Give further explanations of why certain recommendations are made; 2) Discuss rationale for making the MAHC content decisions; 3) Provide a discussion of the scientific basis for selecting certain criteria, as well as discuss why other scientific data may not have been selected, e.g. due to data inconsistencies; 4) State areas where additional research may be needed; 5) Discuss and explain terminology used; and 6) Provide additional material that may not have been appropriately placed in the main body of suggested MAHC recommendations. This would include summaries of scientific studies, charts, graphs, or other illustrative materials.

The annex was developed to support the MAHC Code language and is meant to provide additional help, guidance, and rationale to those responsible for using the MAHC. Statements in the annex are intended to be supplements and additional explanations. They are not meant to be interpreted as MAHC code wording or used to create enforceable code language.

The Annex includes a list of CODES referenced, a bibliography of the reference materials, and scientific studies that form the basis for MAHC recommendations.

The Appendices supply additional information or tools that may be useful to the reader of the MAHC Annex and Code.

The provisions of MAHC Chapter 4 (Facility Design Standards and Construction) apply to construction of a new AQUATIC FACILITY or AQUATIC VENUE or SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION to an existing AQUATIC FACILITY or AQUATIC VENUE, unless otherwise noted.