§ 51-7. Physical standards for public swimming pools.  


Latest version.
  • The following basic principles shall govern location, construction or reconstruction of all public swimming pools. They shall be used to interpret and promulgate regulations and to serve as the basis for the issuance of construction permits under section 51-5.
    (a) Location. Public swimming pools shall be located so as to:
    (1) Prevent and minimize the possibility of water contamination in the swimming pool from external sources occurring through:
    a. Low-lying pool elevations in areas subject to periodic flooding,
    b. Location of a pool in the path of uncontrolled surface water movement, or
    c. Leakage into the pool from sources of contamination located overhead;
    (2) Permit ready access to the pool for emergencies; and
    (3) Ensure that utilities are available, or can be installed.
    (b) Construction generally. All public swimming pools shall be constructed:
    (1) To prevent or reduce the possibility of water contamination occurring through:
    a. Entrance of surface water,
    b. Back flow or back siphonage, or
    c. Transport of foreign matter by bathers or spectators;
    (2) To provide water of drinking quality to the pool and at all taps accessible to the bathers;
    (3) To provide a continuous replenishment of clear, clean water to the pool of such chemical composition as to control the growth and spread of organisms and to minimize deleterious effects on the bathers and at such rates of delivery as the use of pool requires;
    (4) To ensure reasonable expectations of the pool operating properly;
    (5) To ensure a reasonable degree of mechanical strength and permanence of materials;
    (6) To ensure that repairs and maintenance of the pool and its appurtenances can be made and that the pool can be kept clean;
    (7) To prevent exposure of bathers, operating personnel and of outside persons to accidental hazards, and to permit the taking of such corrective measures when necessary should an accident occur;
    (8) To provide for the personal hygiene of the bathers; and
    (9) To facilitate the protection of bathers and operating personnel in the use of the pool.
    (c) Manual for public swimming pool construction. The permittee shall comply with material, method, and location specifications as set out by the manual on public swimming pool construction issued by the county executive.
    The approving authority may permit the use of new materials, equipment, designs and methods of a type which do not conform with the requirements of the manual; provided, that they are not prohibited by this chapter or other applicable laws. The approving authority shall require proof of recognized authority that the new materials, equipment, designs and methods are safe, constitute compliance with this section and that their performance and quality are equal to or superior to those of the materials, equipment and designs or methods required in the manual. (1971 L.M.C., ch. 45, § 1; 1979 L.M.C., ch. 55, § 4.)