Pool ops
Illnesses that have been linked to pools or swimming in natural bathing areas are:
A. Gastrointestinal diseases B. Skin Infections C. Open cuts and abrasions D. Respiratory illness
BEFORE TREATING ALGAE THE OPERATOR NEEDS TO CHECK POOL CHEMISTRY
ADDING ANY OTHER CHEMICALS TO THE POOL (Such as Algaecides) WILL HAVE LITTLE EFFECT IF THE POOL IS NOT CHEMICALLY BALANCED.
AIR RELIEF VALVE IS INSTALLED ON PRESSURE FILTER TANKS TO ALLOW...
AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE FILTER UNTIL WATER HAS FULLY FILLED THE TANK. THIS IS TYPICALLY NECESSARY AFTER CLEANING THE PRESSURE FILTER OR WHEN THE PUMP HAS LOST PRIME.
CLOUDY WATER CAN ALSO BE CASUED BY WATER THAT IS HIGHLY
ALKALINE (FROM HIGH PH, TOTAL ALKALINITY, AND CALCIUM HARDNESS)
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
ARE THE TYPICAL TYPE OF PUMPS. WATER IS DRAWN INTO THE EYE OF THE IMPELLER, AND THEN THROWN FROM THE OUTER PERIMETER OF THE SPINNING IMPELLER BY CENTRIFUGAL FORCE. WATER IS THEN FORCED OUT INTO THE VOLUTE AND THEN INTO THE PIPING SYSTEM. TYPICALLY HAS A BASKET STRAINER THAT MUST BE CLEANED OUT AT REGULAR INTERVALS.
VALVES
ARE UTILIZED THROUGHOUT THE POOLS CIRCULATION SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION AND FLOW OF THE WATER, AND CHEMICALS, AS WELL AS IDOLATE SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT FOR ROUTINE SERVICING.
The first pool regulations were created by the ________ and was organized in 1912 and set the first standards in 1915 which included..
American Association for Hygiene and Baths
CLOUDY WATER MAY BE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE
BATHER LOAD WHICH EXCEEDS THE DESIGN PARAMETERS OF THE CIRCULATION/FILTER SYSTEM. IF THE SYSTEM CANNOT BE UPGRADED THAN THE DISINFECTANT LEVEL SHOULD BE INCREASED PRIOR TO THE ANTICIPATION OF PEAK LOADS.
AFTER CHECKING BALANCE AND BEFORE CHEMICALS ARE ADDED, THE NEXT STEP OF REMOVING ALGAE IS
BE VIGOROUS BRUSHING TO SEPARATE THE ALGAE FROM POORS AND CRACKS IN THE POOL SURFACES.
CLOUDY WATER
BESIDES ALGAE THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE CLOUDY WATER. CLOUDY WATER IS ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENT PROBLEMS IN A POOL.
DAILY RECORDS SHOULD BE KEPT - VIRGINIA/PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY LAW REQUIRES
CHLORINE AND PH TO BE TESTED EVERY HOUR (UNDER STABLE CONDITIONS AT LEAST EVERY 2 HOURS)
SAND FILTERS
CLEANED BY BACKWASHING, AND REQUIRE REGULAR BACKWASHING TO MAINTAIN AN EFFECTIVE FLOW RATE AND TO KEEP CALCIFICATION FROM CREATING CHANNELING.
DE FILTER
CLEANED EITHER BY BACKWASHING OR BY MANUALLY REMOVING GRIDS, WASHING AND RE-ASSEMBLING.
POOL HEATERS ARE OFTEN ADDED TO MOST
COMMERCIAL AND INDOOR POOLS AND ALSO TO ALL SPAS.
VACUUM OUTLETS ARE TYPICAL IN...
COMMERCIAL POOLS - THREADED PLUGS SHOULD BE IN PLACE WHEN NOT IN USE AND SHOULD BE FLUSH WITH THE WALL SURFACE.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MINERAL STAIN AND HOW CAN IT BE INTRODUCED TO THE POOL?
COPPER IS THE MOST COMMON MINERAL STAIN AND CAN BE INTRODUCED TO THE POOL BY THE CORROSION (LOW PH) OF COPPER EQUIPMENT SUCH AS HEATERS OR PUMPS, OR BY THE ADDITION OF COPPER BASED ALGAECIDES.
Where are RWIs found?
Can spread through the use of swimming pools, hot tubs, decorative water fountains, oceans, lakes, and rivers
Who is most likely to get ill from RWIs?
Children, pregnant woman, and people with compromised immune systems.
Which was the oldest civilization in the world that may have been the first to create and area for bathing and swimming?
China
why doesnt chlorine kill RWIs?
Chlorine does kill the germs that make many people sick, but it takes time. Most germs can be killed in less than an hour, but chlorine takes longer to kill some germs such as Cryptosporidium, which can survive for days even in properly disinfected pools.
Types of filters
DE (Diatomaceous Earth) Filter, Sand Filter- 20 GMP, Cartridge filter
TO CORRECT CLOUDY WATER DUE TO FILTRATION:
FIRST BE SURE TO CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR SYSTEM FILTER NEEDS TO BE BACKWASHED AND IF THE FLOWRATE IS SUFFICIENT.
The first modern swimming pools were known as __(Floating
Floating pools
THE BASIC TYPES OF HEAT SOURCES FOR POOL HEATER INCLUDE:
GAS/OIL FIRED; ELECTRIC IMMERSION ELEMENTS; HEAT PUMPS; SOLAR AND OTHER REMOTE HEAT EXCHANGERS.
THE MOST COMMON VALVES:
GATE VALVE; BALL VALVE; MULTI PORT VALVE; BUTTERFLY VALVE (MOST COMMONLY USED PUMP ROOM VALVE); BACKWASHING VALVE; CHECK VALVE; WATER LEVEL CONTROLLER
IN ORDER TO TREAT AND PREVENT THESE STAINS, YOU MUST FIRST
IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE MINERAL CONTAMINANT.
OFTEN CLOUDY WATER IS CAUSE BY
INADEQUATE FILTRATION
Pressure GUAGES
INDICATE THE PRESSURE IN PSI OR POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH ON THE PRESSURE SIDE OF THE POOLS CIRCULATION SYSTEM. TYPICALLY USED TO MEASURE INFLUENT AND EFFLUENT PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL OF THE FILTER
FLOW METER
INDICATE THE RATE OF WATER GOING THROUGH THE POOL'S CIRCULATION SYSTEM, WHEN FLOW IS BELOW THE DESIGNATED FLOW RATE FOR THE POOL IT MEANS THE FILTER NEEDS TO BE CLEANED
Floor returns
INSTALLED IN THE FLOOR OF A POOL AND ARE LOCATED IN A WAY THAT PROVIDE A DESIGNED FLOW PATTERN
BLACK ALGAE
IS COMMONLY FOUND AS BLACK SPOTS ON THE POOL SURFACE (ESPECIALLY PLASTER POOLS) THIS TYPE OF ALGAE CAN PENATRATE AND DAMAGE THE PLASTER AND THE POOLS FINISH. THIS FORM OF ALGAE CAN COVER ITSELF IN A HARD PROTECTIVE LAYER THAT EVEN RESISTS REMOVAL BY BRUSHING. IN EXTREME CASES, ACID WASHING AND REPLSTERING THE POOL SURFACE MAY BE NEEDED. UNTREATED THIS FORM OF ALGAE CAN ALSO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISKS TO SWIMMERS IF ALLOWED TO PERSIST. THIS IS WHY BLACK ALGAE IS CONSIDERED THE WORST FORM OF ALGAE IN A POOL. PREVENTITIVE MAINTENANCE IS BEST, IN THE FORM OF REGULAR BRUSHING IN ORDER TO ENSURE DISINFECTANT IS EXPOSED TO POORLY CIRCULATED AREAS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF POOL MAINTENANCE IS
KEEPING THE FILTER CLEAN - AS THE AMOUNT OF DIRT ACCUMULATES INSIDE A FILTER THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT CAN PASS THROUGH THE FILTER DECREASES
OVER FLOW GUTTERS ARE MORE COMMEN IN...
LARGER COMMERCIAL POOLS- A SYSTEM OF TROUGHS AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE POOLS SURFACE. NOTE: WATER LEVELS SHOULD NOT DEVIATE MORE THAN +/- 1⁄4 OF AN INCH ABOVE THE GUTTER OVERFLOW LIP
THE DISCHARGE SIDE OF THE PUMP (AFTER THE HEATER AND FILTER)
MEASURES THE OXIDIZING POWER OF THE SANITIZER IN THE WATER IN UNITS OF MILLIVOLTZ(mV) WHICH SHOULD BE AT LEAST 650 Mv. AN ORP CHEMICAL CONTROLLER PROVIDES CONTINUOUS MEASURE OF THE SANITIZER STREGHTH IN THE POOL AS BATHER LOAD, Ph, STABILIZER AND SUNLIGHT CONSTANTLY ARE CHANGING.
algae
MICROSCOPIC, SINGLE CELLED FORMS OF PLANT LIFE THAT EXIST IN JUST ABOUT EVERY SURFACE AND GROUND WATER SOURCE KNOWN ON EARTH. ALGAE IS DEPENDANT ON TEMPERATURE, SUNLIGHT, ORGANIC LOADING (HEAVY BATHER LOAD) AND LACK OF SUFFICIENT DISSINFECTANT LEVELS. THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF ALGAE GROWTH IS FROM POOR WATER CIRCULATION.
The first swimming organization in England was the
National Swimming Society
WHAT MUST BE WITHIN PROPER RANGES IN ORDER TO PREVENT CORROSION TO POOLS EQUIPMENT?
PH AND TOTAL ALKALINITY
BEFORE TREATING ALGAE THE OPERATOR NEEDS TO CHECK FOR THE LEVEL OF THINGS THAT ALGAE LIKES, LIKE
PHOSPHATES
Vacuum System
POOL -> FILTER -> PUMP -> HEATER -> CHEMICALS ADDED -> BACK TO POOL
Pressure system
POOL -> PUMP -> FILTER -> HEATER -> CHEMICALS ADDED -> BACK TO POOL
How can we prevent RWIs?
Practicing healthy swimming behaviors. Properly maintained pools, educated staff and swimmers
A CLEAN AND HEALTHY POOL REQUIRES
REGULAR AND PRECISE TESTING
RETURN INLETS OR DISCHARGE OUTLETS
RETURN FILTERED AND CHEMICALLY ADJUSTED WATER TO THE POOL. WALL RETURNS ARE USUALLY DIRECTIONAL AND ADJUSTABLE, TYPICALLY IN SPAS FLOOR RETURNS ARE INSTALLED IN THE FLOOR OF A POOL AND ARE LOCATED IN A WAY THAT PROVIDE A DESIGNED FLOW PATTERN
What are RWIs
RWIs are illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, spas, lakes, rivers, or oceans. RWI's can cause a variety of symptoms including gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections.
POOL OPERATORS ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO
SERVICE PUBLIC POOLS BY MAINTAINING THE CLEANLINESS, WATER QUALITY, AND CHEMICAL BALANCE. POOL OPERATOR'S SHOULD HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF POOL CLEANING, GENERAL MAINTENANCE, MAKE UP WATER SUPPLY, BACTERIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, AND PHYSICAL QUALITY OF WATER, AND WATER PURIFICATION, TESTING, TREATMENT, AND DISINFECTION PROCEDURES.
SKIMMERS ARE MORE COMMONLY USED IN...
SKIMMERS ARE MORE COMMONLY USED IN
GUTTERS AND SKIMMERS
SURFACE WATER CONTAINS MORE CONTAMINANTS THAN OTHER AREAS OF THE POOLS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE SURFACE WATER IS CONTINUALLY REMOVED AND FILTERED BY THE MEANS OF SKIMMERS OR OVERFLOW GUTTERS.
BEFORE TREATING ALGAE THE OPERATOR NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE
THE CAUSE OF ALGAE GROWTH.
CHEMICAL FEEDERS INTRODUCE CHEMICALS (SUCH AS DISINFECTING AGENTS AND PH CONTROLLERS) INTO THE POOLS CIRCULATION SYSTEM. IN MOST INSTALLATIONS, THE FEEDERS ARE CONNECTED TO _________________ SO THAT THE CHEMICALS DO NOT DAMAGE ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO DISTRIBUTION (AND DILUTION) THROUGHOUT THE POOL'S CIRCULATION SYSTEM.
THE DISCHARGE SIDE OF THE PUMP (AFTER THE HEATER AND FILTER)
WHEN DIFFERENTIAL IS 10PSI OR MORE, IT INDICATES THAT...
THE FILTER NEEDS TO BE CLEANED
filtration
THE PROCESS OF REMOVING SUSPENDED PARTICLES, DIRT AND DEBRI FROM THE POOL WATER
MAIN DRAINS
THE PURPOSE OF MAIN DRAINS ARE TO REMOVE PARTICLES THAT ARE HEAVIER THAN WATER FROM THE POOL. THIS IS ALSO THE STRONGEST POINT OF SUCTION IN A SWIMMING POOL THAT MAY LEAD TO ENTRAPMENT AND DROWNING OF A BATHER
VELOCITY
THE RATE AT WHICH WATER MOVES THROUGH THE CIRCULATION SYSTEM AND IS MEASURED IN FEET PER SECOND (FPS) CIRCULATION SYSTEM PIPING DIAMETER MUST BE LARGE ENOUGH SO THAT THE WATER (AT FLOW RATE) DOES NOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM RECOMMENDED VELOCITY
SKIMMER BASKET STRAINER
THEN REMOVES LARGE DEBRI AND PREVENTS IT FROM RACHING THE CIRCULATION PUMP. NOTE: IT IS NOT RECCOMENDED TO PLACE CHEMICAL DISINFECTANT IN THE SKIMMER BASKETS SINCE THIS WILL REDUCE THE LIFE OF THE FILTER AND
green algae
THIS IS THE MOST COMMON FORM OF ALGAE FOUND IN SWIMMING POOLS. BEGINS IN FREE FLOATING FORM THAT SOON ATTACHES TO POOL SURFACE AREAS WHERE CIRCULATION MIGHT BE POOR RESULTING IN LOW DISSINFECTANT LEVELS. SUPERCHLORINATION TYPICALLY KILLS GREEN ALGAE. REGULAR BRUSHING AND ADEQUATE DISINFECTANT LEVELS CAN HELP PREVENT THE ALGAE FROM BECOMING ESTABLISHED IN A SWIMMING POOL.
Pump
The heart of the circulation system. Keeps the water in constant motion through the piping and associated equipment where it is filtered, chemically treated, and heated (optional)
Wall returns
USUALLY DIRECTIONAL AND ADJUSTABLE, TYPICALLY IN SPAS
Minimum Turnover rate in the ANSI/NSPI 5 Standard is
a 12 hour period for residential pools
Recirculation
after the water passes through the pump and filter, the water passes through the heater, is chemically treated and the returned directly to the pool by means of return fittings that are evenly spaced around the floor and walls of the pool.
THE MOST COMMON POOL PROBLEMS ARE:
algae, cloudy water, corrosion, eyes nose and skin irritants, equipment operation, ph and disinfectant concentration
Diving should be prohibited in areas less than 6ft. and should only be allowed from _____________
approved diving boards and stands
All pools should have exit/access points. To provide safe entry/exit, in the shallow end of a pool, __________________ are commonly used and are provided with a ___________________
built in stairs; secure handrail
CHANNELING CREATES PASSAGES AROUND THE CLUMPS OF __________________ and ALLOWS WATER TO PASS THROUGH THE FILTER WITHOUT BEING _________ (TEST)
calcified sand; filtered
How can I disinfect water
chorline of lime, chlorine gas, ultraviolet rays or ozone
CARTRIDGE FILTER
cleaning - SIMPLY HOSE OFF THE CARTRIDGE , AND ALLOW TO SOAK IN A MIXTURE OF TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE AND MURIATIC ACID TO REMOVE OILS AND OTHER ORGANIZE MATERIAL.
The main drain of the swimming pool is located at the deepest point of the pool to allow _______________
collection of sediment from the pool bottom.
Hydro Dynamic (moving)
created by the force of the circulation system pump
Actual Depth should be marked by ___________________ a minimum of 4-inch high. that are located on both sides of pool, slope break, deep end and deep point
depth markers
How are RWIS spread
diarrhea, or germs that live naturally in environment (if pool isnt properly disinfected, germs will increase to point where they cause illness if u breathe of contact water)
what is important to bather safety?
good lighting
3 TYPES OF ALGAE PRIMARILY FOUND IN SWIMMING POOLS:
green algae, black algae, mustard algae
The pool electrical system must have a __________________ and electrical wiring and all other components must conform to the ___________________ and applicable local codes.
ground fault circuit (GFI); National Electrical Code
Valves can be operated by _______ or automatically by ____________. TYPICALLY THE SHOULD BE TURNED OFF BEFORE OPERATING ANY VALVES TO REDUCE DAMAGE TO THE PUMPS, FILTERS AND SYSTEM.
hand; electronic control
Floating pools, located near rivers on streams, had __________ in their walls for the water to ___________ through. It was thought that this design would aid in the prevention of disease transmission that occurred in still water pools.
holes; flow
Depth markers should be legible from the ______________________ as well as ____________
inside of pool; pool deck
Equipment Room Safety is important to pool operators and maintenance personnel. It is important that the flooring is _____________________________ to prevent standing water. It must be __________ enough to accommodate ease of movement and access to equipment.
non-absorbent, slip resistant, and with sufficient slope; large
Pool Shells are made from _____________________ to prevent injury
non-toxic slip resistant approved materials
The risk of acquiring an illness could be because: The makeup water for the bathing facility or area is not from a potable source. Non- Potable means ____________
not safe for drinking
The risk of acquiring an illness could be because: _________________________________ are not restricted from the pool. Fecal Contamination, Respiratory, eye, ear, and skin diseases may be easily transmitted through water.
patrons with infectious diseases
The risk of acquiring an illness could be because: The pool or spa's disinfection system is not operating properly. The ____________________________, at the proper levels, is of paramount importance in the destruction of pathogens that may be introduced into a pool from many potential sources
presence of approved disinfectant
RWI means
recreational water illnesses
The closest to "drinking water quality pools" where those built directly over artesian wells, ________ or _________
springs; ocean waters
Turnover Rate
the amount of time it takes the total water volume to pass through the circulation system.
Atmospheric Pressure
the pressure exerted by atoms and molecules in the atmosphere surrounding Earth, resulting from collisions of these particles with objects; exerted on the surface of the water
"Head Loss" refers to
the resistance in pool circulation that is caused by friction against the inner surfaces of all the piping, valves, fitting, filter elements and pool heater
Hydro Static Pressure (non-moving)
the result of the weight of the water against the bottom of the pool.
FLOW RATE
the volume of water per unit of time, usually in GPM, gallons per minute, it will take to satisfy the required turnover rate. FLOW RATE IS CALCULATED BY DIVIDING TOTAL VOLUME BY THE TURN OVER RATE. [FLOW RATE =VOLUME (GAL) / TURN OVER RATE (HR) X 60(MIN)
The risk of acquiring an illness could be because: The pool or bathing area is overcrowded with_________________________, taxing the ability of the pools recirculation, dilution, or disinfection systems to eliminate pathogens.
too many bathers
All areas inside of the pool are to remain _________________ by any type of structure including recessed automatic surface skimmers, floor inlets, and vacuum fittings. They must be installed with no protrusions and no ________________
unobstructed; sharp edges
Pool standards in 1915 by American Association for Hygeine and Baths
well-lighted area, smooth surface, gutter, deck drainage away from pool, constantly in-flowing stream of filtration, refiltration, and disinfection, lifeguard always on duty, pool locked when not in use, strict supervision
MUSTARD ALGAE
- DOES NOT GROW AS QUICKLY AS GREEN ALGAE, AND IS MOSTLY LOCATED IN THE SHADED SIDE OF POOL WALLS WHERE IT IS EASILY BRUSHED OFF. HOWEVER, THIS FORM OF ALGAE IS MUCH MORE RESISTANT TO NORMAL DISINFECTION AND ALGICIDAL TREATMENTS. AS WITH ALL OTHER FORMS OF ALAGE ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND BRUSHING TO THE POOLS SURFACE AND MAINTAINING ADEQUATE DISINFECTANT RESIDUAL AT ALL TIMES IS BEST FOR PREVENTION.
STAIN AND SCALE CONTROL
- STAINS ON THE SURFACES OF POOLS ARE USUALLY CAUSED BY COPPER (BLUE IN COLOR), IRON (BROWN IN COLOR), OR MAGNESE (BLACK IN COLOR). THESE MINERALS ARE USUALLY INTRODUCED INTO THE POOL FROM THE SOURCE WATER.
THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE IN ANY POOL OR SPA SHALL NOT EXCEED
104 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ______________INJURIES ASSOCIATED SOLELY WITH SWIMMMING ACTIVITIES OCCUR ANNUALLY.
140,000
The width of a commercial pool from wall to wall should be no less than
15 ft
The first pool filters and pumps where developed by Pascal Paddock and John Mudge in the mid
1920s
In the year __________ that the Olin Mathieson Corporation developed HTH, a form of Calcium ______________, which became the first sanitizer developed primarily for pools.
1927; hypochlorite
The MINIMUM RECCOMENDED NUMBER OF LADDERS/STAIRWAYS THAT SHOLD BE PROVIDED IN POOLS IS
2
Safety line should be mounted _____________ before the slope break on the shallow side
2 feet
Pool Floors with a slope break (transition from shallow to deep water) should be marked by a
2 inch wide dark, contrasting marking, across the pool's bottom.
what is the maximum perimeter distance between depth markings?
25 ft
Minimum water depth of a pool is _______ in shallow water area and ________ in deep water areas
3 ft; 4 ft
"NO DIVING" Markings should be on the pool deck and on the inside wall of the pool in pools and areas less than ______________
6 ft deep
Many State and local codes require a minimum turnover rate of
6-8 hours for commercial pools
WEIR
A BUYONT GATE FLAP WHICH ONLY ALLOWS A THIN SHEET OF SURFACE WATER TO BE DRAWN INTO THE SKIMMER BODY AND PREVENT LARGER DEBRI FROM RE-ENTERING THE POOLS SURFACE WATTER.
IF THE POOL IS PROPERLY BALANCED, AND THE POOL IS STILL CLOUDY, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER USING A
A FLOCCULANT OR COAGULANT. THESE CHEMICALS CONSIST OF POLYMERS THAT ATTRACT VERY SMALL PARTICLES TO OTHER PARTICLES TO FORM COMBINED PARTICLES THAT ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO THEN SETTLE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL AND ARE THEN MORE EASILY VACUUMED OR FILTERED FROM THE WATER.
BACKWASHING
A METHOD OF CLEANING BOTH DE AND SAND FILTERS BY REVERSING THE FLOW OF WATER THROUGHOUT THE FILTER TO REMOVE ACUMMULATED PARTICLES AND DEBRI FROM INSIDE AND FLUSHING IT OUT TO A WASTE DISPOSAL LINE AS THE AMOUNT OF DIRT ACCUMULATES INSIDE A FILTER THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT CAN PASS THROUGH THE FILTER DECREASES
Circulation
A Pool's circulation system includes all of the equipment necessary to remove dirt, suspended debris and surface contaminates from the pool. It is also necessary to evenly distribute water throughout the pool to prevent circulation dead spots and to assure the effective chemical and temperature balance of the water.
