Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM
Title 178 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Chapter 2 - DESIGN CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS
Section 178-2-009 - PHYSICAL PLANT STANDARDS

Universal Citation: 178 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 2 ยง 009

Current through March 20, 2024

Swimming pools must meet applicable standards for lifeguard chairs, signs, and bathhouses.

009.01 LIFEGUARD CHAIRS. All Class A swimming pools, and those Class B and F swimming pools which elect to have a lifeguard on duty, are required to meet the following standards:

009.01(A) CHAIR NUMBER. A lifeguard chair for each 2,000 square feet of water surface area must be provided.

Water Surface Area in Sq. Ft. (meters)

Minimum Number of Chairs

Less than 2,000 (<186)

0

2,000 to 3,999 ( 187-372)

1

4,000 to 5,999 ( 373-557)

2

6,000 to 7,999 ( 558-743)

3

009.01(B) GREATER THAN 5 FEET DEPTH. At least one chair must be located so the lifeguard is able to maintain surveillance of all pool floor area having a depth greater than 5 feet .

009.01(C) LIFEGUARD CHAIR LOCATION. All lifeguard chairs must be:
(i) Located so the guard is not required to protect a segment greater than 180º;

(ii) Placed at waterside in locations to minimize the effect of glare on the water; and

(iii) Placed to give complete coverage of the pool(s).

009.02 SIGNS. All pool regulations must be stated on signs with clear, legible print.

009.02(A) WARNING SIGNS. At Class B, C, D, E, and F swimming pools, where lifeguard service is not continuously provided, a warning sign must be placed in plain view of the user and must state: "WARNING - NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY" in letters at least four inches high, and "CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MUST NOT USE POOL WITHOUT AN ADULT IN ATTENDANCE" in letters at least two inches high.

009.02(B) POOL REGULATIONS. Must be conspicuously posted in the swimming pool area, or in the dressing rooms at all swimming pools, including wading pools. Signs must have the title "Pool Regulations" in letters at least four inches high and must list the following regulations:
(i) No person is permitted to use the pool without first having taken a warm water shower, using soap.

(ii) No person having an obvious communicable disease, skin eruption, cut, sore or lesion, eye, ear, nose, or throat infection, is permitted to use any public swimming pool.

(iii) Spitting or spouting of water, blowing the nose, or any other similar activities in the swimming pool is strictly prohibited.

(iv) No running, boisterous or rough play, except supervised water sports, is permitted in the pool, or on the runways, diving boards, floats, platforms, or in the dressing rooms.

(v) Maximum patron load is persons.

009.02(C) SPA REGULATIONS. Must be conspicuously posted in the spa area. Signs must have the title "Spa Regulations" in letters at least four inches high and must list the following regulations:
(i) No person is permitted to use the spa without first having taken a warm water shower, using soap.

(ii) Pregnant women, elderly persons, and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high or low blood pressure should not enter the spa or hot tub without prior medical consultation and permission from their doctor.

(iii) Do not use the spa or hot tub while under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or that raise or lower blood pressure.

(iv) Do not use at water temperatures greater than 104º Fahrenheit (40ºC).

(v) Do not use alone.

(vi) Unsupervised use by children under the age of 16 is prohibited.

(vii) Enter and exit slowly.

(viii) Observe reasonable time limits (that is, 10-15 minutes), then leave the water and cool down before returning for another brief stay.

(ix) Long exposure may result in nausea, dizziness, or fainting.

(x) Keep all breakable objects out of the area.

(xi) Maximum patron load is persons.

(xii) "No one under the age of 5 years is permitted in spa" must be on the same sign or on a separate sign.

009.03 BATHHOUSES. All Class A pools must have a bathhouse.

009.03(A) BATHHOUSE SANITATION. Bathhouses must be kept in good repair and kept free from dirt and algae. They must be kept clean at all times and disinfected at least once each day.

009.03(B) SOAP DISPENSERS. Liquid or powdered soap dispensers and soap must be provided. Glass soap dispensers and bar soap are not acceptable. Each handwashing sink or shower must be provided with a dispenser, however, two adjacent handwashing sinks or showers can share a dispenser located between them.

009.03(C) BATHING SUITS AND TOWELS. All bathing suits and towels furnished to bathers must be thoroughly washed with detergent and water, thoroughly rinsed, completely dried, and stored in a clean place after each use.

009.03(D) SHOWERS. Showers must supply water at a temperature of at least 90º Fahrenheit (32º C.) and no more than 115º Fahrenheit (46º C.). Sinks must supply water at a temperature of at least 90º Fahrenheit and no more than 115º Fahrenheit (46º C.). Single temperature fixtures must supply water at a temperature of at least 90º Fahrenheit (32º C.) and no more than 105º Fahrenheit (41º C.).

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Nebraska 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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