Recreational Waters
How long does it take for cyanuric acid to dissipate from a public pool?
Cyanuric acid does not break down or dissipate. The only way to lower the concentrations is to drain and refill some or all of the water.
True or false: The pool operator is not required to maintain a daily record of all test results, equipment readings, calibrations, or corrective actions taken onsite.
False
True or false: the publication of inspection reports is prohibited.
False, the department may publish the reports of inspections
True or false: The water supplied to foggers and mist generating equipment can be sourced from the surge basin.
False; all finely atomized mists shall be supplied directly from a potable water source.
True or false: Pool disinfection and recirculation equipment does not need to operate while open to the public if the disinfectant residual can be maintained at safe levels.
False; all public poos, when open or in use, shall be disinfected continuously by a chemical that imparts a disinfectant concentration consistent with that chemical's approved minimum residual.
Virginia Graeme Baker Act
Graeme Baker died in 2002 when a suction from a faulty spa drain entrapped her under water. All pools and spas drains are now required to be "unblockable."
True of false: Lifeguard service shall be be provided for any public swimming pool (of artificial construction) for the use of which a direct fee is charged.
True
True or false: Any health officer or any inspector may at all reasonable times enter all parts of the premises of a public swimming pool to make examination and investigation to determine the sanitary condition and whether building or other codes are in violation.
True
True or false: If the bottom of the pool is not visible 48 hours following inspection and closure by the enforcing agent, the agent may order the pool drained.
True
True or false: The finished pool shell shall be lined with a smooth waterproof interior finish that will withstand repeated brushing, scrubbing, and cleaning procedures. The interior pool finish shall completely line the pool to the tile lines, coping, or cantilevered decking.
True
True or false: The maximum depth of a pool shall be clearly visible from the deck at any given time.
True
True or false: When multiple pumps are used to control systems for a spray ground water feature, the pump and recirculation system shall be electrically interconnected so that one will not operate without the other.
True
True or false: With limited exceptions, the pool operator of every public pool open for use shall test the disinfectant residual, pH, and cyanuric acid/pool temperature (if heated and applicable) of the public pool water at a minimum of once per day.
True
True or false: every public pool shall be under the supervision of a pool operator.
True
True or false: the splash zone shall be sloped so that only water from the spray ground water feature flows back to the surge basin.
True
Except for spray grounds without standing water, the following equipment must be provided at all public pools:
a 17 inch (exterior diameter) life ring with attached throw rope (min. 3/16 inch diameter) that can span the maximum width of the pool a 12-ft fixed length rescue pole with permanently attached body hook
Every swimming pool with a single suction outlet that is not unblockable shall be equipped with one or more anti-entrapment devices such as:
a safety vacuum release system that conforms to ASME/ANSI standards a suction-limiting vent system with a tamper-resistant atmospheric opening an ASME/ANSI certified gravity drainage system that utilizes a collector tank an automatic pump shutoff system that has been tested by a department-approved independent third party
The most important distinction between a pool and a spa is that a spa is equipped with ____.
a water jet system, an aeration system, or some combination of both
Pool enclosure gates must open so that the gate swings ____.
away from the pool
In response to a fecal, vomit, blood contamination, drowning, or near-drowning, the pool operator must perform the following disinfection procedures:
close all affected pool(s), including those that share the same filtration system remove/discharge contaminating materials to a sanitary sewer ensure pool pH is at 7.5 or lower ensure the pool water is at 77F or higher ensure that the filtration system is operating while the pool reaches and maintains the required free-chlorine residual for the incident
When recording a contamination incident in a public pool daily log, the following information must be included:
date and time of the incident the affected pool(s) free-chlorine residual pool temperature pH facts known about the circumstances and cause of the incident whether the fecal stool was solid or diarrheal the procedures taken to respond to the contamination incident the number of users in the pool at the time of the incident the length of time between the occurrence, detection, and resolution of the incident
Ancillary facilities may include:
dressing rooms drinking fountains fencing and enclosures locker rooms pool decks safety equipment shower rooms toilet facilities water treatment systems
The following conditions may warrant the closure of a public pool:
failure to maintain clean and clear pool water inadequate disinfection improper pH the presence of inhalation hazards failure to meet microbiological or water quality standards missing or broken suction outlet covers missing or broken pool enclosures (fencing and gates) hazards to pool users
The following contamination incidents are required to be documented in a public pool daily log:
fecal vomit blood drowning near-drowning
All pool enclosures shall have a minimum effective perpendicular height of ____.
five feet
If a contaminating material in a public pool is blood, the pool operator shall check the _____________ of the pool at the time of the incident. If the residual is below the minimum requirement, the pool operator shall ________.
free-chlorine concentration close the pool until levels are within the required range
the water depth shall be clearly marked at the following locations:
maximum depth minimum depth each end of the pool both sides at the shallowest and deepest part of the pool at the break in the bottom slope between the shallow and deep portions of the pool along the perimeter of the pool at distances not to exceed 25 feet
The acceptable temperature for a public pool is between
no minimum - 104F
What is the minimum turnover time for a spa pool?
one turnover every 30 minutes or less
What is the minimum turnover time for a spray ground?
one turnover every 30 minutes or less
What is the minimum turnover time for a wading pool?
one turnover every hour or less
What is the minimum turnover time for a typical public pool?
one turnover every six hours
What is the minimum turnover time for a medical pool?
one turnover every two hours
A pool shell must be constructed using _____ or a material equivalent in strength, watertight and able to withstand full stress under full and empty conditions.
reinforced concrete
The maximum velocity in the pump suction hydraulic system shall not exceed ____ when 100 percent of the pump's flow comes from the circulation system and any suction outlet in the system is completely blocked.
six feet per second
No markings, designs, or lettering shall be permitted on the pool shell except;
slip resistant lane markings depth marking lines not to exceed 12 inches in width safety markings
The means of entry and exit from a pool shall consist of;
steps recessed steps ladders stairs ramps a combination of the abovementioned items
A private pool is any constructed pool, permanent or portable, that is intended for sue by occupants of not more than ____ residential units.
three
A public wading pool shall have at least ____ circulation suction outlets per pump that are hydraulically balanced and symmetrically plumbed through one or more 'T' fittings and separated by a distance of at least ___ feet in any direction between suction outlets.
two three
The pool operator shall maintain data and records collected for at least ____ for inspection by the enforcing agent.
two years
In the ancillary facilities, ____, ____, and ____ are prohibited.
wooden slats, duckboards, and footbaths
When using cyanuric acid in a public pool, the acceptable range of concentration is between
0.0 ppm - 100 ppm
The pool operator shall test combined chlorine at a frequency required to maintain maximum combined chlorine concentrations below ____.
0.4 ppm
Stairs or ramps shall be provided in the shallowest portion of a pool if the vertical distance from the bottom of the pool to the deck is over ____.
1 foot
Any portion of a pool having a water depth of 4 1/2 ft. or less shall have a uniform slope that shall not exceed _____of vertical in _____ feet of horizontal run.
1 foot 10 foot
The free chlorine residual range for public pools NOT using cyanuric acid stabilizer is between
1.0 ppm - 10 ppm
All dry-niche light fixtures and all underwater wet-niche light fixtures operating at more than ____ volts in public swimming pools shall be protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter in the branch circuit, and all light fixtures in public swimming pools shall have encapsulated terminals.
15
In all cases where wave action is suspended for any reason, an audible signal shall be used to notify patrons of impending waves within ____ immediately prior to resuming the breaking wave action.
15 seconds
Only approved underwater lighting fixtures shall be used and no lighting fixtures shall be installed for operations at more than ____ volts between conductors.
150
A public wading pool has a maximum water depth of ____.
18 inches
If a contaminating material in a public pool is solid fecal stool or vomit, the pool operator shall maintain a free-chlorine residual of ____ for at least ____.
2.0 ppm 25 minutes
The free chlorine residual for public pools USING cyanuric acid stabilizer must be between
2.0 ppm - 10 ppm
The bromine residual for public pools must be between
2.0 ppm - no max
If a contaminating material in public pool is diarrheal stool, the pool operator shall raise the free-chlorine concentration to _____ and maintain the concentration for at least ______ when NO cyanuric acid is present.
20 ppm 12.75
The free chlorine residual for public spas, wading pools, and spray grounds NOT using cyanuric acid is between
3.0 ppm - 10 ppm
The free chlorine residual for public spas, wading pools, and spray grounds USING cyanuric acid stabilizer must be between
3.0 ppm - 10 ppm
A minimum _____ wide walking surface shall extend around the perimeter of the splash zone of a spray ground.
4 ft.
Openings, holes, or gaps in a pool enclosure, doors and/or gates shall not allow passage of a ____ diameter sphere.
4 inch
There shall be installed a straight line of slip resistant tile a minimum of ____ and not greater than ____ wide of a color contrasting with the background of the pool shell across the bottom of the pool where the water depth is ____.
4 inches 6 inches 4 1/2 feet
The bromine residual for public spas, wading pools, and spray grounds is between
4.0 - no max
A spray ground and water feature with ultraviolet light disinfection shall be disinfected continuously at a minimum of ______ while in use.
40 mJ/cm2
A wave pool operator shall deny entrance into the park of a child under ____ in height if that child is not accompanied by an adult
42 inches
Children under ____ in height, regardless of whether the child is accompanied by an adult, shall wear a properly fitting United States Coast Guard-approved Type ____ or Type ____ life vest to gain access to a wave pool.
48 inches 2 3
No planters or other structures that can be used to scale a pool enclosure may be located within ____ of the outside of the enclosure
5 feet
For pool depths of ____ or less, 'No Diving' markers with the universal symbol of no diving shall be installed on the deck directly adjacent to the required depth markers.
6 feet
If a contaminating material in a public pool is diarrheal stool, the pool operator shall lower the pH to ____, raise the free-chlorine concentration to ____, and maintain the concentration for at least ____ when cyanuric acid is present.
6.5 40 ppm 30 hours
The ideal pH range for swimming pools is
7.2-7.8
For public pools that exceed _____ ft. in length or ____ ft. in width, the pool operator shall provide a _______ and _______ on at least ______ opposing sides of the public pool at centralized locations.
75 50 rescue pole life ring two
If a public pool provides a lifeguard service, the following safety equipment must be provided:
A Red Cross 10-person industrial First Aid Kit (or equivalent) An operating telephone A backboard and head immobilizer