Health District gives HOA pool tips

Pool and spa signs

■ All required signs are legible and are clearly visible from the pool deck.

■ Whenever lifeguard service is not available, there is a sign saying “Warning — No Life Guard on Duty” in letters at least 4 inches high. Also, the sign says that “Children under the age of 14 should not use pool without an adult in attendance.”

■ There is a sign with a diagrammatic illustration of artificial respiration procedures.

■ There is an emergency sign that displays the 911 telephone number.

■ There is a sign that displays the maximum occupant capacity allowed in the pool in letters at least 4 inches high. Swimming pools: one person per 20 square foot of pool surface area. Spa pools: one person per 10 square foot.

■ There is a sign that states “No Diving Allowed” in letters at least 4 inches if maximum depth is less than 6 feet.

■ If there is a spa, there is a spa pool precaution sign.

■ Every spa pool has an emergency shutoff switch with a sign installed adjacent to the spa stating “Spa Emergency Shut-off Switch.”

■ If adequate deck and underwater lighting is lacking, a sign in letters at least 4 inches high stating “No Use of Pool Allowed After Dark” is in a prominent location near the entrance to the pool-spa area.

Safety features

■ The drain cover is an approved model that can be removed only with tools.

■ There is a readily accessible life ring with an attached rope of sufficient length to span the maximum width of the swimming pool.

■ There is a readily accessible body hook permanently attached to a pole at least 12 feet in length.

■ The stair handrail is secured and in good repair.

■ The ladder, ladder step treads and grab rails at the deep end of the pool are secure and in good repair.

■ Underwater lights are in good repair and have ground fault circuit interrupter protection.

■ Underwater pool lights are “on” while the pool is open for use after dark. If the pool is not separately enclosed, the pool lights remain on during entire nighttime hours.

■ There are no deck obstructions.

■ There are no trip hazards caused from deteriorating decking in pool area. All expansion joints between coping and deck are filled in.

■ The pool fence enclosure is in good repair.

■ The latching device of the self-closing and latching gate or door to pool area is at least 42 niches above finished grade.

■ Unless all gates or doors are so equipped, at least one means of egress without a key for emergency purposes is provided and labeled with an “Emergency Exit” sign in letters at least 4 inches high.

Chemicals

■ An approved pool water test kit that measures free chlorine residual and pH is used.

■ A free chlorine residual of at least 1 ppm is maintained at all times.

■ A free chlorine residual of at lease 1.5 ppm is maintained at all times when cyanuric acid is used.

■ The level of cyanuric acid is maintained below 100 ppm.

■ The pH level is maintained between 7.2 and 8.0.

Water clarity, general conditions

■ There is no cloudiness: Pool water is maintained in a clean and clear condition.

■ There is no algae growth in the pool.

■ The pool shell is white and not discolored.

■ There is no dirt or debris in the pool.

■ The waterline tiles are clean.

■ There are no broken or missing pool tiles.

■ There are no broken or unreadable depth marker tiles.

■ There is no broken or missing coping.

■ There is adequate skimming action in the pool.

■ The water level is at the midpoint of the skimmer opening.

■ The skimmer weir assembly is not broken or missing.

■ The skimmer diverter valve assembly is not broken or missing.

■ Spa pool water temperature does not exceed maximum temperature of 104o F.

■ There are no animals in the pool or in the pool area.

■ The automatic chlorinator is functioning properly. Chlorine tablets are not placed in the pool skimmers, and floating chlorinators are not used.

Water circulation

■ There is a minimum turnover rate. Swimming pools = 6 hours, swimming pools built before October 1982 = eight hours, spa pools = half an hour, wading pools = 1 hour.

■ The pool recirculation system is operating at all times while the pool is open for use and longer if necessary to maintain clean and clear water.

■ The recirculation pump is in good repair.

■ The filter is in good repair.

■ The filter is back-washed.

■ An influent-effluent pressure gauge is provided and in good repair.

■ A flow meter is provided and in good repair.

■ An automatic chlorinator is provided and in good repair.

■ The automatic chlorinator is filled and operational.

■ There is an indirect connection of the pool or its re-circulation system with a sanitary sewer or drainage system.

Pool facilities

■ The pool equipment room is clean.

■ The rest rooms are maintained in a sanitary condition and in good repair.

■ The shower facilities are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

■ The dressing rooms are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

■ Showers and lavatories have hot and cold water, with a means of limiting the hot water to a maximumof 11o F.

■ Soap in soap dispensers or containers are provided in showers.

■ Soap in permanently installed soap dispensers, paper towels or hot air blowers and toilet tissue for toilets is provided.

■ The pool is fully accessible for inspection.

General operation

■ If cyanuric acid is added to the pool, the concentration is measured and recorded at least once per month.

■ A daily log of the pool operation, disinfection residual, pH and maintenance procedures is maintained.

■ Adequate lifeguard service is provided.

Barbara Holland is a certified property manager, broker and supervisory certified association manager. Questions may be sent to holland744o@gmail.com.