Connecticut Administrative Code
Title 19 - Public Health and Safety
13-B
Chapter II - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Swimming Pools and Bathing Places
Section 19-13-B33b - Public pools
Universal Citation: CT Reg of State Agencies 19-13-B33b
Current through September 9, 2024
(a) Definitions.
As used in this section:
(1)
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Health or the commissioner's designee;
(2)
"Depth marker" means a number, at least four inches high and in a color that
contrasts with the background of a public swimming pool or public diving pool, which
denotes water depth in the immediately adjacent portion of the pool;
(3) "One unit of lifesaving equipment" means a
ring buoy with not more than a fifteen-inch inside diameter, which has attached to
it a fifty-foot, one-quarter-inch line and a life pole or shepherd's crook with
blunted ends that is at least twelve feet long;
(4) "Public pool" has the same meaning as provided
in section 19a-36(c)(1) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(5)"Public swimming pool" has the same meaning as
provided in section 19a-36(c)(2)(A) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(6) "Public wading pool" has the same meaning as
provided in section 19a-36(c)(2)(B) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(7) "Public spa" has the same meaning as provided
in section 19a-36(c)(2)(C) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
(8) "Public diving pool" has the same meaning as
provided in section 19a-36(c)(2)(D) of the Connecticut General Statutes;
and
(9) "Special purpose public pool"
has the same meaning as provided in section 19a-36(c)(2)(E) of the Connecticut
General Statutes.
(b) General requirements for public pools.
(1) Construction. No person shall construct a
public pool or shall substantially alter or reconstruct any public pool except after
the plans for such have been approved in accordance with the specifications
contained in the most recent edition of the Connecticut Public Swimming Pool Design
Guide as adopted and amended by the commissioner. Such plans shall be prepared by
and bear the seal of an engineer or architect licensed to practice in the state of
Connecticut and shall be approved by the commissioner. The applicant shall forward
copies of the approved plans to the director of health or his authorized agent. All
public pools shall be constructed or substantially altered or reconstructed in
accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the commissioner unless
prior approval of changes has been granted in writing. The danger of disease,
drowning or injury to bathers shall be reduced to a practical minimum.
The commissioner may evaluate public pools constructed without the required plan approval to assess conformance with specifications of the Connecticut Public Swimming Pool Design Guide. The commissioner may issue a "certificate of approval for use" to public pools on which construction was completed prior to January 1, 1980 and which are found to comply substantially with the aforementioned criteria. No such certificate shall be issued where deviations from design criteria may substantially increase the risk to public health and safety.
(2) Supervisory
Personnel. A person knowledgeable in the operation of the pool and in pool water
chemistry and testing shall be on duty on the premises where the pool is located
whenever the pool is open for use. Names of supervisory personnel shall be submitted
to the local health department annually and whenever a change in such personnel
occurs.
(3) Pool Water Quality. Not more
than fifteen per cent of the samples of pool water covering a consecutive period of
one month or more shall either (1) yield more than two hundred bacterial colonies
per milliliter, as determined by the standard (35°C) agar plate count, or (2)
show positive test (confirmed test) for coliform organisms in any of five 10-mL
portions innoculated into fermentation tubes or contain more than 1.0 coliform
colonies per 50 mL. when the membrane filter test is used. All samples shall be
collected, the residual disinfectant removed, and the examination conducted in
accordance with the procedures outlined in the latest edition of "Standard Methods
for the Examination of Water and Wastewater" (American Public Health Association,
American Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation).
(4) Pool Water Clarity. At all times when the pool
is in use the water shall be sufficiently clear to permit a secchi disc or a black
disc six inches in diameter on a white field, placed on the bottom of the pool at
the deepest point, to be clearly visible from the pool deck.
(5) Pool Water Disinfection and Test Kits. Pool
water shall be disinfected by an automatic disinfectant feeder which imparts a
measurable residual at all times when the pool is in use. These chemical feeders
shall comply with the standards of the National Sanitation Foundation or other
standards approved by the commissioner of health services. When chlorine is used, a
free available chlorine residual of at least 0.8 mg/l as measured by an approved
method listed in "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater" as
described in subsection 3 above shall be maintained throughout the pool whenever it
is open or in use. If cyanuric acid is used to stabilize the free available residual
chlorine, or if chlorinated isocyanurate compounds are used, the concentration of
cyanuric acid in the water shall not exceed 100 mg/l and a free available chlorine
residual of at least 1.5 mg/l shall be maintained throughout the pool whenever it is
open or in use. If other halogens are used, residuals of equivalent disinfecting
strength shall be maintained. Other disinfecting materials or methods may be used
when they have been demonstrated to the commissioner to provide satisfactory
disinfection.
A test kit for measuring the concentration of the disinfectant, accurate within 0.1 mg/l shall be provided, at each pool. If the cyanuric acid or chlorinated isocyanurates are used, proper testing equipment for measuring cyanuric acid concentration shall be provided. Chemicals in test kits shall be replaced yearly unless shown to produce accurate test results.
(6) Pool Water pH and Alkalinity. The pool water
shall be maintained at a pH value of not less than 7.2 and not over 7.8. Testing
equipment for measuring pH value shall be available at each pool. Caustic alkalinity
shall not be present.
(7) Records and
Testing. A pool operation record including all test results shall be maintained on a
daily basis by the pool operator. Immediately prior to the daily opening of the pool
for use, tests shall be made to determine the amount of residual disinfectant and
the pH. These tests shall be repeated at sufficient frequency during periods of
bather use to assure that an adequate disinfectant level and pH value are
maintained. Whenever tests indicate that an inadequate disinfectant level or
inappropriate pH value are present, immediate action shall be taken to reestablish
an appropriate disinfectant level and pH value.
(8) Decks, Dressing Rooms, Toilet Rooms, Shower
Requirements. The dressing rooms, hallways, toilet rooms, shower rooms or other
rooms to which patrons of pools have access shall be kept clean, in good repair, and
well ventilated at all times. The floors of the pool deck and all shower rooms and
locker rooms shall be treated with a 0.5% chlorine solution, or an equivalent
fungicide, daily. Combs or brushes for common use shall not be provided. All persons
shall bathe with warm water and soap before entering the pool. Warm water at a
temperature of 90°F to 105°F, shall be furnished at showers convenient to
the pool for this purpose. Adequate and convenient toilet facilities shall be
available for the use of swimmers. Toilet, lavatory sink, and shower fixtures shall
be maintained in proper repair so as to be available in ratios required by Design
Criteria in effect at the time of plan approval.
(9) Equipment Rooms, Equipment Areas, and
Equipment. Equipment rooms, areas, and equipment shall be kept in good repair and in
a clean and sanitary condition. Drain grates shall be vandal proof, designed to
prevent hand entrapment, and shall be secured in place in a manner that will prevent
removal by bathers.
(10) Deck Equipment.
Handrails shall be provided at all steps, stepholes, and ladders. When provided
diving stands, lifeguard stands, handrails, and ladders shall be properly secured to
the pool deck or pool, as appropriate. Deck accessories and equipment shall be
properly maintained and stored.
(11)
Pool Chemical Storage. Pool chemicals shall be stored in cool, dry, clean, and well
ventilated areas and so as to preclude accidental mixing of different chemicals.
Containers shall be tightly closed when not in use.
(12) Vacuuming. Pool bottoms shall be vacuumed or
mechanically cleaned as frequently as required to maintain pool
cleanliness.
(13) Accessibility to Pool
Area. Except as provided in section 19a-36(c)(4) of the Connecticut General
Statutes, all outdoor public pools shall be surrounded by a barrier which shall be a
minimum of four feet high and designed to discourage unauthorized persons. Entry
gates shall be self-closing and self-latching. When the pool is not open for use,
access to the pool shall be prevented.
(14) Lifeguards. When no lifeguard service is in
effect a warning sign shall be placed in plain view and shall state "Warning-No
Lifeguard on Duty" with legible letters, at least four inches high. This warning
shall be easily visible from all entry points into the pool area.
(15) First Aid Kit. Every public pool shall be
equipped with a first aid kit that contains supplies, as described in the Annex to
the Model Aquatic Code Annex, or its equivalent, as amended from time to time. There
shall be face masks or shields, as defined in section 19a-36-B61(a)(4) of the
Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, for infants, children and adults, and
appropriate receptacles or holders in proximity to the lifeguard duty stations. The
first aid kit shall be kept filled and ready for use.
(16) Emergency Telephone. There shall be a
telephone or other suitable device for emergency communication readily available in
the immediate vicinity of each pool. This telephone or device shall be on the
premises where the pool is located.
(17)
Signs. Signs shall be conspicuously posted at the pool and in public dressing rooms
stating the following:
(A) All persons shall bathe
with warm water and soap before entering the pool.
(B) Any persons known or suspected of having a
communicable disease shall not use the pool.
(C) Spitting or blowing the nose in the pool is
prohibited.
(D) Running, boisterous or
rough play (except supervised water sports) is prohibited.
(18) Emergency Communications. Instructions
regarding emergency calls shall be prominently posted. All pools shall have posted
at their entrance (a) directions to the nearest telephone and the nearest first aid
unit and resuscitation equipment; (B) the telephone numbers, in print at least
one-quarter inches high, of the nearest police and fire departments, emergency
medical service provider, hospital and physicians on call in the immediate area.
Additionally these telephone numbers shall be posted at the nearest
telephone.
(19) Registration. No person,
firm, or corporation shall operate or maintain, within any town, city or borough,
any public pool without local permits or licenses if such permits or licenses are
required by local ordinance. If such local permits or licenses are not required, the
person, firm or corporation shall register the name of the owner or owner's agent,
business address, and pool location with the local director of health of the town,
city, borough, or district where the public pool is located.
(c) Additional requirements for public swimming pools and public diving pools
(1)
Depth Markers. Depth markers shall be provided on the pool rim at points of minimum
and maximum depths, at all points where the pool floor changes slope, and at
appropriate points in between. Depth markers at these points shall be visible from
within the pool and while standing on the pool deck.
(2) Lifeguard Stands. When a lifeguard is on duty,
there shall be a raised stand 4 feet minimum height for the lifeguard, located at
pool side adjacent to the deep end of the pool, so that all areas of the pool are
visible to the lifeguard.
(3) Lifesaving
Equipment. Each public swimming pool and public diving pool shall be provided with
one unit of lifesaving equipment for each one hundred feet of perimeter of the pool.
Life poles or shepherd's crooks shall be mounted in permanent sockets toward the
deep area of the pool. Lifesaving equipment shall be mounted in conspicuous places
around the pool such as on lifeguard stands, fences or barriers of outdoor pools,
and room walls of indoor pools.
(4)
Sign. A sign stating the following shall be conspicuously posted at the pool: "No
diving is permitted off the deck into shallow areas of the pool."
(d) Additional requirements for public wading pools.
Depth Markers. A minimum of one depth marker shall be provided on the pool rim on each side of public wading pools.
(e) Additional requirements for public spas.
(1) Pool Water Disinfection. When
chlorine is used, a free available chlorine residual of at least 1.0 mg/l shall be
maintained throughout the public spa whenever it is open or in use.
If other halogens are used, residuals of equivalent disinfecting strength shall be maintained.
(2) Pool Water Temperature. Pool water temperature
shall not exceed 104°F in public spas.
(3) Depth Markers. All public spas shall have a
minimum of two depth markers indicating maximum water depth. These depth markers
shall be located on the spa rim or deck immediately adjacent to the pool.
(4) Precaution Sign. A precaution sign is to be
mounted in a clearly visible location, adjacent to the spa. This precaution sign
shall contain the following warnings:
CAUTION
(A) Elderly persons and those suffering from heart
disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure should not enter the spa.
(B) Unsupervised use by children is
prohibited.
(C) Do not use while under
the influence of alcohol, anticoagulants, antihistamines, vasoconstrictors,
vasodilators, stimulants, hypnotics, narcotics or tranquilizers.
(D) Do not use alone.
(E) Observe a reasonable time limit, (preferably
not longer than 15 minutes) then shower, cool down and, if you wish, return for
another brief stay. Long exposures may result in nausea, dizziness or
fainting.
(5) Oils, Body
Lotions and Soaps. Oils, body lotions and soaps shall be completely removed by the
bather prior to use of public spas.
(f) Special purpose public pools.
Special purpose public pools shall meet all applicable requirements for public pools.
(g) Responsibility of director of health.
When any public pool is found not to meet the requirements of these regulations, or when a condition is found which constitutes a public health or safety hazard or a health nuisance to bathers or pool patrons, the director of health may order such public pool closed until corrections are made. The director of health shall order such closure when there is significant evidence of communicable disease being transmitted through use of the pool, when the public pool is being operated in such manner as to constitute a significant health nuisance, or when imminent safety hazards exist.
Inspections shall be conducted by the director of health or his authorized agent to evaluate conformance with these regulations and to protect the public health and safety.
Any person aggrieved by an order issued by a director of health, may within forty-eight hours after the making of such order, appeal to the commissioner of health services in accordance with Section 19a-229 of the General Statutes and Sections 19-2-1 to 19-2-43 inclusive of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Connecticut may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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