Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 511 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 511-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS
Subject 511-3-5 - PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, AND RECREATIONAL WATER PARKS
Rule 511-3-5-.16 - Disinfectant Equipment and Chemical Feeders

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 511-3-5-.16

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) Disinfectant equipment and chemical feeders, such as flow-through chemical feeders, electrolytic chemical generators, mechanical chemical feeders, chemical feed pumps, and automated controllers shall comply with the requirements of NSF Standard 50.

(2) The disinfection equipment shall be capable of precisely delivering a sufficient quantity of a registered disinfecting agent in the appropriate amount as outlined in (3) in this section and maintain the residual concentrations in DPH Rule 511-3-5-.17 of this Chapter.

(a) Every pool and spa shall be required to have at least one unit of disinfectant agent equipment that introduces the agent through the circulation system in compliance with this rule

1. Additional units may be required to maintain chemical and physical parameters of the pool water for new construction or an existing facility, if deemed necessary by the health authority or as required in DPH Rule 511-3-5-.16(2)(3).

2. Increased risk public pools constructed or remodeled after the adoption of this chapter shall deliver, monitor and control disinfectant and pH chemical feeders through an automated chemical controller.

3. Increased risk public pools constructed after the adoption of this chapter shall be required to use an NSF Standard 50 approved supplemental disinfection treatment system such as ozone or ultraviolent light (UV).

(b) The pool or spa water shall be continuously disinfected by a disinfecting agent that imparts an easily measured residual. The disinfecting agent used shall be subject to field testing procedures that are simple and accurate.

(c) Gaseous chlorine, chlorine compounds, bromine compounds or other bactericidal agents shall be acceptable when meeting the disinfectant level parameters outlined in DPH Rule 511-3-5-.17 of this Chapter. Other disinfectant agents not outlined in DPH Rule 511-3-5-.17 may be used if,

1. The owner/operator provides test results to the health authority that show the agent to be an adequate disinfectant for swimming pool and spa use, and

2. A test kit for these other agents is supplied to the health authority by the manufacturer or the pool owner.

(d) All disinfectant agents shall be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

(e) Where water is drawn from the pool to supply water to aquatic features the water may be reused prior to filtration if;

1. The disinfectant and pH levels of the supply water are maintained at required levels and the ratio of interactive play feature, slide, or other apparatus unfiltered water to filtered water circulated in the reservoir or pool shall be no more than 3:1 in order to maintain the efficiency of the filtration system, or

2. The apparatus or device shall use only water that has been filtered and disinfected immediately prior to being discharged into the pool. This includes, but is not limited to, slides, fountains, water wheels,"mushrooms", and squirt guns.

(f) Any water discharged into the pool water shall at least the same level of disinfection that is required for the type of pool that the device is in as listed in DPH Rule 511-3-5-.17.

(3) Chemical Feeders. The installation and use of chemical feeders shall conform to the following standards:

(a) Chemical feeders must be installed downstream from the filter and heater.

(b) If the chemical feeder is equipped with its own pump, it shall be installed so it introduces the gas or solution downstream from the heater and, if possible, at a position lower than the heater outlet fitting.

(c) Chemical feed pumps and controllers shall be wired so they cannot operate unless the filter pump is running. If the chlorinator has an independent timer, the filter and chemical feed pump timers shall be interlocked.

(d) All chlorine dosing and generating equipment including erosion feeders, or in line electrolytic and brine/batch generators, shall be designed with the capacity to provide an adequate dose of disinfectant based on the class, use, load, and setting. The system shall be designed with a capacity to provide the following:

1. Outdoor pools design capacity shall be four pounds of free available chlorine/day/10,000 gallons of pool water;

2. Indoor pools design capacity shall be two and one-half pounds free available chlorine/day/10,000 gallons of pool water.

(e) The rates above are minimums and in all cases the professional engineer or manufacturer shall validate the feed and production equipment specified. Stabilized levels must be able the meet the chapter.

(f) A physical barrier shall be installed between chemical feed pumps supplying acid or liquid hypochlorite solution and other pool components to shield staff and equipment from chemical sprays which might result from leaking connections.

(g) Feeders shall be capable of supplying disinfectant and pH control chemicals, if applicable, to maintain the minimum required disinfection levels at all times in accordance with the chapter.

(h) The injection point of disinfection chemicals shall be located before any pH control chemical injection point with sufficient physical separation of the injection points to reduce the likelihood of mixing of these chemicals in the piping during periods of interruption of recirculation system flow.

(i) The professional engineer shall validate the feed and production equipment specified. Disinfectant levels must meet the requirements of the chapter.

(j) In-line generators shall be permitted on pools using the following requirements:

1. In-line generators shall use pool-grade salt dosed into the water to produce and introduce chlorine into the pool treatment loop through an electrolytic chamber.

2. Electrolytic generators shall have a total dissolved solid (TDS) or salt (NaCl) readout and a low salt indicator.

3. The feed rate shall be adjustable from zero to full range.

4. The generator unit shall be listed and labeled to NSF Standard 50 and UL 1081 for electrical/fire/shock safety by an ANSI-accredited certification organization.

5. The generator shall be interlocked and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

6. The saline content of the pool water shall be maintained in the required range.

7. Brine batch generators shall produce chlorine through an electrolytic cell and produces chlorine from brines composed of pool-grade salt.

8. In line generator equipment shall have an EPA facility registration number.

9. An in line generator maybe supplemented with other systems to meet the dosing requirements in subsection (3) (d) above.

(k) Feeders for pH adjustment shall comply with the following:

1. Chemicals for pH adjustment shall include but not be limited to muriatic (hydrochloric) acid, sodium bisulfate, carbon dioxide, sulfuric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and soda ash.

2. A pH adjustment feeders shall be adjustable from zero to full range.

3. Reservoirs shall be clearly marked and labeled with contents.

(l) Automated controllers shall be installed for monitoring and turning on or off chemical feeders used for pH and disinfectant control in facilities referenced in DPH Rule 511-3-5-.16(2)(a)2.

(m) Operation manuals or other instructions that give clear directions for cleaning and calibrating automated controller probes and sensors shall be provided for the automated controller.

(n) Where used, ultraviolet light (UV) systems shall be installed in the recirculation system after the filters;

1. A bypass pipe that is valved on both ends shall be installed to allow maintenance on the UV unit while the pool is in operation.

2. UV system operation shall be interlocked with the recirculation pump so that power to the UV system is interrupted when there is no water flow to the UV unit.

(4) Gas Feed Systems. Carbon dioxide and ozone are the only gas feed systems permitted at a new public pool. Where CO2 cylinders are located indoors, a monitor and alarm shall be provided to alert patrons/operator of high CO2 or low O2 levels.

(5) Elemental (Gaseous) Chlorine. Chlorine in the gaseous form may not be used as a disinfectant in pools constructed after 31 December 2016. Facilities that currently use gas chlorine systems may continue to use them if they follow subsections (a)-(p) below.

(a) Users of gas chlorine must be trained on the proper procedures for handling chlorine and the appropriate emergency procedures.

(b) Gas chlorination equipment shall be located so that equipment failure or malfunction will have minimal effect on evacuation of pool patrons in an emergency.

(c) Gas chlorine feeders (chlorinators) shall be activated by a booster pump using recirculated water supplies via the recirculation system. The booster pump shall be interlocked to the filter pump to prevent feeding of chlorine when the recirculation pump is not running.

(d) The chlorinator, cylinders of chlorine, and associated equipment shall be housed in a reasonably gas-tight and corrosion-resisting housing having a floor area adequate for the purpose. Cylinders shall always be stored in an upright position and properly secured so they cannot tip over if bumped.

(e) All enclosures shall be located at or above ground level. The enclosure shall be provided with a motor-driven exhaust fan capable of producing at least one air change per minute. This fan must be located at the lower part of the enclosure and there must be louvers of good design near the top of the enclosure for admitting fresh air. A warning sign stating "Chlorine Gas" shall be posted on doors. Doors to the chlorine room shall open away from the pool and be equipped with a viewing window located so that the chlorinator and the inside of the enclosure can be clearly seen prior to entering.

(f) Electrical switches for the control of artificial lighting and ventilation systems shall be on the outside of the enclosure adjacent to the door.

(g) Facilities shall include a scale suitable for weighing the cylinders.

(h) Connections from the cylinders to the system depend on the type of chlorinator to be used and shall comply with the chlorinator manufacturer's recommendation.

(i) An automatic chlorine leak detector and alarm shall be installed in the chlorinator room.

(j) Respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) shall be provided for protection against chlorine. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require training and maintenance programs for respirators.

(k) Containers may be stored indoors or outdoors. Full and empty cylinders shall be segregated and appropriately tagged. Storage conditions shall:

1. minimize external corrosion;

2. be clean and free of trash;

3. be located away from an elevator or ventilation system; and

4. be located away from elevated temperatures or heat sources.

(l) A specific person shall be made responsible for chlorination operations and shall be trained in the performance of routine operations including emergency procedures and leak control procedures, and maintain current documentation of their training in proper respirator use.

(m) Chlorine cylinders must be handled with care. Valve protection caps and valve outlet caps shall be in place at all times except when the cylinder is connected for use. Cylinders must not be dropped and shall be protected from falling objects. Cylinders shall be used on a first-in, first-out basis. New, approved washers shall be used each time a cylinder is connected.

(n) A safety wall chart shall be posted in or near the chlorine enclosure and a second chart shall be posted in the pool office near the telephone. The telephone number of the chlorine supplier shall be shown on this chart.

(o) Pool personnel shall be informed about leak control procedures.

(p) As soon as a container is empty, the valve shall be closed and the lines disconnected. The outlet cap shall be applied promptly and the valve protection hood attached. The open end of the disconnected line shall be plugged or capped promptly to keep atmospheric moisture out of the system.

(6) Training. Personnel responsible for the operation of the disinfection agent equipment shall be properly trained in the operation of that equipment and the procedure for performing and interpreting the necessary chemical field tests and the appropriate emergency procedures.

(7) Test Kits. Every pool shall be supplied with an accurate and reliable water quality testing device capable of measuring any agent that is introduced into the water of the pool.

(a) Digital water quality testing devices shall be listed and labeled to NSF 50 or approved by the health authority.

(b) All test kits should include methods for the determination of pH, free available chlorine (FAC), total available chlorine (TAC) if chlorine is used, bromine or other chemical disinfectant residuals, cyanuric acid (if used), total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and copper and silver (if a copper or copper/silver ionization unit has been installed).

(c) The local health authority shall be given, upon request, a field testing kit for any agents introduced into the water supply. If a field testing kit is not available, the agent cannot be introduced until standards for testing have been established by, and written approval has been obtained from, the health authority.

(d) The Orthotolidine test (OTO) is unacceptable since it cannot distinguish FAC and TAC.

(e) The test kit shall be stored in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Chemical agents shall be maintained at proper manufacturer specified temperatures.

(f) A test kit that requires calibration shall be calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2A-6, 31-12-8, 31-45-10.

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