Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024
1. Applicability. All public swimming pools,
no matter when constructed, must comply with requirements of this section. All
pools and pool equipment must be operated and maintained in accordance with the
permitted plans and specifications or approved change order.
2. Operating Permits. No pool may operate
without a valid operating permit. Operating permits are valid for a period of
one (1) year beginning on April 1, and ending on March 31 of any calendar year.
Operating permit fees are due by February 15 of each calendar year and are
considered delinquent if not received by March 15th of each calendar year. The
current operating permit must be prominently displayed at the pool on or near
the pool rules sign.
3. Address and
Ownership Changes. It shall be the owner's responsibility to notify the
Department in writing of any address or ownership changes.
4. Housekeeping.
(a) The bathhouse and minimum toilet
facilities must be kept clean with the floors and walls cleaned as often as
necessary to maintain good sanitary conditions and kept as dry as possible.
Showers must be scrubbed at least daily and proper disinfectant applied to the
floors. All plumbing fixtures must be kept in good operating condition. Toilet
paper and soap must be available in the dispensers at all times the pool is
open. If public towels are provided, these towels must be laundered after each
use. The pool, including walkways, diving boards, ladders, etc., must be kept
clean. The surrounding grounds must be kept free of trash and litter. All pools
must have a trash receptacle at the pool site.
(b) No glass of any kind or any other
material that may be a hazard to bathers' feet or bodies will be allowed in the
pool area. No furniture constructed with glass components may be located within
the pool area.
5. Water
Supply. All water used in public swimming pools, drinking fountains, bathhouse,
or minimum toilet facilities, must be from a Public Drinking Water System which
has been approved by the Department.
6. Drinking Water Fountain. Drinking water
fountains, where installed, must be properly maintained. All electric drinking
fountains must be equipped with ground fault interrupters.
7. Sanitary Sewage. The disposition of
sanitary sewage from the bathhouse or minimum toilet facilities must be into a
sanitary sewer, a septic tank, or other waste treatment facility which has been
approved by the Department.
8.
Equipment Enclosure. An enclosure must be provided to prevent unauthorized
access to pool operating equipment. The structure shall protect the equipment
from vandalism. This enclosure must be of adequate height and size to enable
required equipment maintenance and designed to drain away excess water. It must
be adequately illuminated and ventilated. The equipment enclosure room is to be
used specifically to house equipment for the pool's recirculation, filtration,
and disinfection.
9. Recirculation
System. The recirculation system must be operated on a twenty-four (24) hour
basis during the swimming season unless it can be demonstrated by the owner or
designated agent that water quality can be maintained with fewer hours of
operation. The recirculation system must be operated during posted pool
hours.
10. Accidents. Any death,
injury, or accident requiring an EMS response, an emergency room visit, or
hospitalization must be reported to the Department by the owner ordesignated
agent in writing on a Department approved form within seventy-two (72) hours of
the occurrence.
11. Safety
Precautions.
(a) One or more lifeguards shall
be on duty during operation hours at Type "A" and "E" pools. The minimum
lifeguard requirements are listed in paragraph R.61-51.J.11(a)(i). Lifeguards
must have their current certifications available for inspection while on duty.
Lifeguards, when on duty, shall have no other duty but to supervise the
swimmers.
(i) As a condition of obtaining and
maintaining an operating permit, all Type "A" public swimming pools shall
provide lifeguards in accordance with the following:
(A) A public swimming pool of three thousand
(3,000) square feet or fewer must have:
(1)
One (1) lifeguard for one (1) through twenty-five (25) patrons;
(2) Two (2) lifeguards for twenty-six (26)
through fifty (50) patrons;
(3)
Three (3) lifeguards for fifty-one (51) through one hundred-fifty (150)
patrons;
(4) Four (4) lifeguards
for one hundred fifty-one (151) through two hundred-fifty (250)
patrons;
(5) One (1) additional
lifeguard for each one hundred patrons greater than two hundred-fifty (250)
patrons
(B) A public
swimming pool of three thousand one (3,001) square feet through six thousand
(6,000) square feet must have:
(1) Two (2)
lifeguards for one (1) through twenty-five (25) patrons;
(2) Three (3) lifeguards for twenty-six (26)
through fifty (50) patrons;
(3)
Four (4) lifeguards for fifty-one (51) through one hundred-fifty (150)
patrons;
(4) Five (5) lifeguards
for one hundred fifty-one (151) through two hundred-fifty (250)
patrons;
(5) One (1) additional
lifeguard for each one hundred patrons greater than two hundred-fifty (250)
patrons
(C) A public
swimming pool of six thousand one (6,001) square feet through nine thousand
(9,000) square feet must have:
(1) Two (2)
lifeguards for one (1) through twenty-five (25) patrons;
(2) Three (3) lifeguards for twenty-six (26)
through fifty (50) patrons;
(3)
Five (5) lifeguards for fifty-one (51) through one hundred-fifty (150)
patrons;
(4) Six (6) lifeguards for
one hundred fifty-one (151) through two hundred-fifty (250) patrons;
(5) One (1) additional lifeguard for each one
hundred patrons greater than two hundred-fifty (250) patrons
(D) A public swimming pool of
greater than nine thousand (9,000) square feet must have:
(1) Three (3) lifeguards for one (1) through
twenty-five (25) patrons;
(2) Four
(4) lifeguards for twenty-six (26) through fifty (50) patrons;
(3) Six (6) lifeguards for fifty-one (51)
through one hundred-fifty (150) patrons;
(4) Seven (7) lifeguards for one hundred
fifty-one (151) through two hundred-fifty (250) patrons;
(5) One (1) additional lifeguard for each one
hundred patrons greater than two hundred-fifty (250) patrons
(ii) A public swimming
pool that is required to have only one lifeguard shall, at all times, have at
least one additional pool staff employee present and available to make an
emergency call if necessary.
(iii)
Any request for a variance from the lifeguard requirements listed in
R.61-51.J.11(a)(i) must be made in writing and must include a site-specific
evaluation that demonstrates proof of equivalency with the provisions in
R.61-51.J.11(a)(i). The Department will consider the variance request and will
provide written notice of its decision.
(iv) Lifeguard requirements for Type "E"
public swimming pools.
(A) Type "E" pools
shall submit to the Department a lifeguard coverage plan. The lifeguard
coverage plan must contain notification that the pool chooses to follow the
lifeguard requirements enumerated in R.61-51.J.11(a) for Type "A" pools or, in
the alternative, provide the following information:
(1) A pool schematic or diagram that shows
lifeguard positions or stations along with sightlines;
(2) The number of lifeguards used during all
expected conditions of facility operations. The pool surface area and user
loading must be taken into account;
(3) The plan must include references,
standards, and information from pool safety consultants and or other experts in
pool safety and lifeguard coverage.
(B) Upon Department approval, Type "E" public
swimming pools shall provide lifeguards in accordance with their approved plan.
Until approval is received, Type "E" pools must follow the lifeguard
requirements enumerated in R.61-51.J.11(a) for Type "A" pools.
(b) Type "A"
and "E" pools must be locked when not under lifeguard supervision. All pools
must be locked when the pool area is not open for patrons.
(c) Each Type "E" facility must provide
attendants during operation of the facility to control the spacing and number
of patrons utilizing each ride and to ensure and maintain the safe egress of
all sliders out of the landing pool.
(d) At least one unit of life saving
equipment must be inside the fence and be within two hundred (200) feet walking
distance from any point on the pool perimeter and must be readily accessible
and functional during posted pool hours. Life saving equipment is not required
for Type "C" and "D" pools. Shepard's crook and life ring are not required for
Type "A" and "E" pools if rescue tubes are provided.
(e) For all Type "A" and "E" pools one unit
of emergency equipment must be readily accessible and functional during posted
pool operating hours.
(f) All Type
A and E pools must have a first aid kit. This kit must be readily accessible
during posted pool hours.
(g) A
toll free emergency notification device to notify emergency personnel must be
provided within a two hundred (200) foot walking distance of the pool and in a
location that it is easily accessible during the hours that the pool is in
operation. Only permanently-mounted notification devices are acceptable to the
Department. Mobile, voice over internet, or cordless telephones are not an
acceptable alternative to permanently-mounted emergency notification devices.
The physical address of the pool must be displayed at the emergency
notification phone or device in a manner that is permanent and weather
resistant.
(h) Signs in accordance
with R.61-51.C.28
must be posted in a conspicuous place in the pool area for all pools. A single
sign, if used for multiple pools must be clearly visible from each body of
water.
(i) All diving boards and
handrails must be maintained in a safe condition. Handrails and ladders must be
rigidly secured while the pool is in operation and must comply with
R.61-51.C.35.
(j) The lifeline must be maintained in good
condition and kept in place except when lap swimming or routine maintenance is
conducted. The lifeline must conform to the requirements listed in
R.61-51.D.2(b).
(k) All removable diving stands must be
removed when not in use.
(l) Any
automatic vacuum systems must be removed from the pool during the hours the
pool is open to the general public. In-floor cleaning systems must not be in
operation during hours that the pool is open.
12. Swimming Limit. The swimming limits are
determined in accordance with R.61-51.C.34
and must be posted on the pool rules sign.
13. Water Clarity. The water must be
sufficiently clear to plainly view the main drains from the deck of the pool at
all times when the pool is open. The viewer must be able to clearly distinguish
the type, shape, and number of gratings (openings) of the main drains when
standing at the edge of the pool deck nearest that main drain.
14. Water Quality
(a) A pool water quality test kit must be
available at the facility during posted operating hours. This kit's condition
must allow for accurate readings of free chlorine, bromine, pH, and cyanuric
acid, if used.
(i) The DPD method or
methodology approved either by the USEPA or the current edition of Standard
Methods must be used to obtain free chlorine/bromine levels.
(ii) Samples for water quality testing shall
be obtained at poolside.
(b) The following levels must be maintained
for all pools:
|
Chlorine
|
1 to 8 parts per million (ppm) free chlorine
|
|
Bromine
|
2.3 to 17.6 parts per million (ppm)
|
|
pH
|
7.0 to 7.8 standard units
|
(c)
All outdoor pools using chlorine may be stabilized with cyanuric acid. When
used, the cyanuric acid level must not exceed two hundred (200) parts per
million for calendar year 2009, one hundred fifty (150) parts per million for
2010, and one hundred (100) parts per million beginning in 2011. Indoor pools
need not be stabilized.
(d) There
will be no hand feeding of chemicals while the pool is open for swimming. The
pool shall remain closed until chemical levels are within Department approved
limits.
(e) In all cases of
biological or chemical contamination of the pool water, the pool shall be
immediately closed and the facility operator shall follow all current
Department guidance in addressing the contamination before reopening of the
pool. Biological contamination such as fecal, blood, or other body fluids shall
be treated using guidance published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on
their healthy swimming web site. Procedures other than those provided by the
Department may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
15. Automatic Controllers. Where automatic
controllers are installed, the equipment shall be maintained in proper
operating condition at all times. This maintenance shall include all of the
manufacturers periodic service and calibration schedules for the controller and
associated monitoring equipment.
16. Pool Temperatures
(a) Pool, spa, lazy river, or other pool type
temperatures shall not exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
(b) The temperature of each heated Type "D"
pool must be monitored and posted by one of the following ways:
(i) Every two hours and posted on the spa
caution sign.
(ii) Continuously
with automated equipment and the temperature displayed within sight of the
spa.
(iii) A shatter-resistant
thermometer placed in the spa so that spa users can read it.
17. Operation Reports.
(a) Daily operation reports shall be
maintained at every public pool. These shall include, as a minimum, readings of
chlorine/bromine and pH. Chlorine/bromine and pH shall be checked daily or more
frequently during operating hours to ensure the facility maintains required
water quality standards for chlorine/bromine and pH. Cyanuric acid levels, if
applicable, must be checked and recorded weekly.
(b) Results must be annotated on a bound log,
with consecutively numbered pages, that is acceptable to the Department. The
date, time and actual numerical reading must be listed on the report.
Instrument monitoring shall not be used in lieu of physical water sampling at
poolside. The report must be initialed at each reading and signed by the pool
operator or his/her designated agent.
(c) Reports must be available for Department
staff at time of inspection. In addition, reports shall be maintained and
available at the facility for the previous eighteen (18) months.
18. Pool Operator
(a) All public swimming pools shall be
operated under the direction of a qualified swimming pool operator who holds a
valid South Carolina Pool Operator's certification issued by a party approved
by the Department. Specific criteria shall be established by the Department for
this approval process.
(b) The pool
operator of record must inspect each public swimming pool a minimum of three
(3) times per week during operation. Results of this inspection shall be
annotated in the facility's bound log book and initialed by the pool
operator.
19. Depth
Markers. All pools must comply with the depth marker requirements listed in
R.61-58.C(7)
when a Change Order Request Form has been approved by the Department for
recoating or resurfacing of the interior of the pool or for resurfacing of the
deck.
20. Bacteriological Quality.
The Department may take samples as necessary for bacterial analysis for each
pool. The Department may also require that the owner sample the pool water for
fecal coliform and have it analyzed by a certified laboratory. Any such sample
shall be analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria in accordance with approved
drinking water standard methods. The presence of any fecal coliform bacteria
will indicate unsatisfactory water quality and will result in facility closure
until satisfactory results are obtained.
21. Inspection of Facilities and Sampling of
Pool Water.
(a) All public pools must be
accessible for inspection by authorized representatives of the Department
during the posted pool operating hours unless a sign is posted indicating that
the pool is closed. Equipment rooms and associated chemical storage areas must
also be accessible during pool inspection.
(b) It is the owner's or designated agent's
responsibility to correct those items not in compliance with these
regulations.
22.
Facility Closure. If the public swimming pool is closed for six (6) months or
longer, the facility shall be appropriately covered with a commercially
manufactured pool cover or drained of stagnant water, cleaned, and secured with
a fence to prevent access. If drained, care should be taken to ensure that the
facility is not damaged by subsurface hydro-static pressure. If a public
swimming pool is to be permanently closed, for a period in excess of
twenty-four (24) consecutive months, the pool shall be filled in or removed and
the water and drainage connections removed. Once a pool is filled in, there
should be no subsequent settling that causes water to pond. Facility closures
require written notification to the Department.
23. Operating Permit Fees. The Department
shall collect annual operating permit fees and late fees as specified in
R.61-30, Environmental Protection Fees.
24. Operation and Maintenance Variance. When
a pool owner or designated agent desires to operate a public swimming pool
under a standard other than specified in these regulations a variance may be
requested from the Department. Such a request must be submitted in writing and
shall include a description of the standard proposed, identify the standard
required by the regulation and include proof of equivalency. This request for a
variance may be considered by the Department for approval. The Department's
decision on such a variance will be final and will be made in
writing.
