Sec. 39-22. - Application of article.

The provisions of this article shall apply to public swimming pools and shall be in addition to other provisions of this chapter applicable to such pools.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-23. - Approval of materials, design features, etc., not covered by article.

For any items not specifically covered by this article, the health officer is hereby authorized to require that all materials, methods of construction and design features for public swimming pools shall prove to function adequately, effectively and without excessive maintenance and operation difficulties, before granting approval thereof. Such approval shall be based upon the need for protecting the health and safety of those using the pool. It shall be the duty of the applicant to provide such data, tests or other adequate proof that the device, material or product will satisfactorily perform the function for which it is intended before such item shall be approved.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-24. - Operating permit; health officer's right to inspect.

(a)

No person shall operate a public swimming pool, unless an annual permit has been secured from the health officer. Such permit shall be issued to an individual who has been certified as a pool operator by the Tidewater Swimming Pool Conference Committee or equivalent certification approved by the health officer or to an organization naming a specific certified pool operator to be in charge, and shall be valid only until the end of the calendar year in which it is issued, unless sooner revoked by the health officer. Such permit shall only be issued for those public swimming pools meeting the requirements of this chapter; and, as a condition for the issuance of such permit, the operator or person in charge of the swimming pool shall, upon request of the health officer, permit access to all parts of the pool at all reasonable times for the purpose of making inspections.

(b)

The permit required by this section shall be posted under a transparent waterproof material in view of the users of the swimming pool.

(c)

Continued failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be cause for revocation, by the health officer, of any operating permit under this section.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-25. - Supervision.

The operation of a public swimming pool and all of its appurtenances shall be under the direct supervision of the certified operator. The certified operator shall be readily accessible at all times and capable of responding within two (2) hours of notification of a problem when the pool is open.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-26. - Operating records.

A daily record of the operation of each public swimming pool shall be maintained by the operator. The record shall include date, pH and free chlorine residual at least every three (3) hours, cyanuric acid content, weather conditions, chemicals added and amounts, filter pressure (inlet and outlet gauges), and rate of flow in gallons per minute. Such record shall also contain a report of all accidents in detail.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-27. - Accessibility to rescue, emergency and maintenance vehicles.

Each public swimming pool and its appurtenances shall be so located and constructed that a rescue or emergency vehicle and maintenance vehicle shall be capable of being admitted to within fifty (50) feet of the swimming pool.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-28. - Lifeguards.

The management of any public swimming pool shall designate and have on duty, within the pool area, a lifeguard or lifeguards, each of whom shall, as a minimum, have passed a current lifeguard training certification and also possesses a current approved first aid and CPR certification conducted by the American Red Cross or the Y.M.C.A. or a program shown to be the equivalent thereof to the director of public health. Each pool shall be equipped with and have available the following lifesaving equipment: a rescue tube per lifeguard, ring buoy, shepherd's crook, reaching pole, first aid kit, and any other equipment necessary. The required number of lifeguards shall be determined as follows:

(1)

For pools greater than two thousand (2,000) square feet in area, there shall be two (2) or more lifeguards.

(2)

For pools greater than four thousand (4,000) square feet in area, there shall be no fewer than two (2) lifeguards, plus an additional lifeguard for each fifty (50) bathers over one hundred fifty (150).

(3)

For pools two thousand (2,000) square feet in area or less, there shall be at least one (1) lifeguard; provided, however, that no lifeguard shall be required for such pools (i) if the pool is no more than five (5) feet in depth; and (ii) the pool is owned by a homeowners' association, recreation association, health club or condominium, or the pool is operated within a gated housing complex whose residents are limited primarily to unaccompanied military personnel; and (iii) if the following restrictions are adhered to for use of the pool:

a.

Only persons eighteen (18) years and older are allowed in the pool and pool area;

b.

A sign is clearly posted in the pool area, in four-inch or larger letters, that there is no lifeguard on duty;

c.

All other lifesaving equipment as specified in this chapter shall be available within the pool area.

(Ord. No. 4739-95; Ord. No. 5902-03; Ord. No. 6666-10)

Sec. 39-29. - Lifesaving equipment.

Except as otherwise provided in section 39-28, the management or operator shall furnish lifeguards with the following lifesaving and safety equipment: a rescue tube per lifeguard, one (1) backboard per facility which is OSHA Compliant and meets The American Red Cross Standards, one (1) whistle for each lifeguard on duty, a ring buoy with rope of not less than one-fourth (¼) inch in diameter and twenty-five (25) feet in length, a shepherd's crook or reaching pole equivalent to not less than one-half (½) the width of the pool, and a first aid kit containing one (1) CPR barrier device mask, one (1) pair barrier first aid gloves, adhesive bandages, gauze bandages (square), gauze bandages (roll), medical tape, one (1) scissors, first aid antibiotic ointment, and one (1) blood or body fluid spill clean-up kit. All equipment and supplies must be readily available within the pool area.

(Ord. No. 4739-95; Ord. No. 5902-03; Ord. No. 6099-05)

Sec. 39-30. - Telephones.

A hard wired telephone capable of contacting emergency agencies (police, fire, etc.) shall be readily available within one hundred (100) feet of the pool area at all times while the pool is open.

(Ord. No. 4739-95; Ord. No. 5902-03)

Sec. 39-31. - Separation of wading pools.

Public wading pools shall be separated from swimming pools and appropriate protection features, such as a fence, shall be installed.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-32. - Protection of wading pools from contamination during rainfall.

Every public wading pool shall be located so that drainage from the surrounding area will not wash contamination into the pool during rainfall.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-33. - General requirements for shells; materials for spray pools.

(a)

Public swimming pool shells shall be of reinforced concrete, or its equivalent in strength and durability, designed and built to withstand anticipated stresses. Such shell shall be of watertight construction and shall have a smooth and easily cleanable surface. A white or light colored waterproof interior finish, which will withstand repeated brushing, scrubbing and cleaning procedures, shall completely line the pool to the coping.

(b)

Public spray pools shall be constructed of permanently impervious material that shall have and retain a finish as smooth as possible and that is nonslip to bare feet.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-34. - Shape, contour, slope, etc.

(a)

A public swimming pool shall be designed and constructed of such shape, contour, and the like that efficient and safe control of swimmers can be accomplished. In water depths under five (5) feet, the slope of the bottom shall not exceed one (1) foot in twelve (12) feet.

(b)

The bottom of public wading pools and spray pools shall slope not less than three (3) inches in ten (10) feet toward the drains.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-35. - Deck generally.

(a)

There shall be a deck at least four (4) feet wide extending around the entire perimeter of a public swimming pool. The deck shall be constructed of concrete or other approved material. The material shall have a nonslip but smooth finish. The deck shall have a pitch of not less than one-eighth (⅛) of an inch nor more than five-eighths (⅝) of an inch to the foot and be designed so as to conduct drainage away from the pool area in a manner that will not create or maintain pools of water or become a health nuisance.

(b)

If the recirculation system is designed for water to enter the bottom and overflow the top or near the top of the pool, then adequate drainage of the scum and floating material from the deck must be provided. This may be a continuous drain or multiple drains. In multiple drains, each drain grating shall have a total orifice area of at least four (4) times the cross-sectional area of the drainpipe, which shall have minimum diameter of two and one-half (2½) inches. In the use of drain channels, continuous around the perimeter of the pool, the channel grating shall be designed so as not to create a hazard to fingers and toes and be resistant to corrosion.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-36. - Persons in street clothes and furniture on deck.

No person in street clothes shall be allowed on the deck of a public swimming pool, within six (6) feet of the pool rim, except the operating personnel, health officer or personnel engaged in repair work. No tables, chairs, lounges, umbrellas or other furniture shall be placed on the deck, within six (6) feet of the pool rim.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-37. - Ladders and steps.

(a)

Two (2) or more ladders shall be provided for all public swimming pools having a perimeter greater than one hundred (100) feet and one (1) means of egress shall be provided for such pools having a perimeter of one hundred (100) feet or less. Steps below the water level projecting out into the pool are prohibited. Treads of all steps, ladders or other means of egress shall be of nonslip construction. Each recessed step area shall be provided with one (1) or more handrails.

(b)

Steps and ladders, when provided at a public wading pool, shall be of a nonslip construction.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-38. - Overflow facilities.

(a)

Provisions shall be made for removal of floating material and scum from the surface of the water in public swimming pools. If a recessed type of gutter located near the top of the walls is to be used, the gutter shall have a minimum depth of three (3) inches and shall be of a design which will permit satisfactory cleaning of the overflow channel. The lip of the scum gutter shall be level and be designed to serve as a handrail for swimmers. The gutter drain outlets shall be spaced around the pool not more than fifteen (15) feet on centers and shall not exceed three (3) feet in either direction from any corner or irregularity in the gutter. The gutter bottom shall slope toward these outlets with a minimum slope of one-eighth (⅛) inch to the foot. The drains shall not be less than two and one-half (2½) inches in diameter and the total orifice area of the grating shall be at least twice the cross-sectional area of the outlet pipe.

(b)

In lieu of the gutter referred to in subsection (a) above the pool may be equipped with an arrangement of overflow devices, henceforth known as "skimmers," in the walls which will provide the proper removal of scum and floating material. There shall be one (1) such device for each four hundred (400) square feet of pool area, with a minimum of four (4) per pool, each of which shall be individually controlled. "Skimmers" shall be maintained so that they are functioning properly and in good repair at all times.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-39. - Outlet drain cover.

The outlet drain for any public swimming pool, as required by section 39-11 shall be covered with a grate of such design that it cannot be readily removed by or produce a hazard to the swimmers. All pools installed after the effective date of this ordinance shall be equipped with anti-vortex type main drain covers.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-40. - Drains for spray pools.

Each public spray pool shall be equipped, at its low point, with an unvalved drain to waste. The drain shall be of such size and design that water sprayed into the pool will not pond in the pool bottom.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-41. - Depth markings.

The depth of the water in a public swimming pool shall be marked at every foot increment of depth in water depths five (5) feet and under, on both the horizontal and vertical surfaces on both sides of the pool and on the top of the coping. In water deeper than five (5) feet, the markings need not be closer than three (3) feet apart. Numerals and letters shall be at least five (5) inches in size and of good contrast with the pool wall and deck.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-42. - Diving boards and areas.

(a)

At least twelve (12) feet of free and unobstructed headroom shall be provided above the diving boards at public swimming pools. The minimum depth of water in diving areas shall be determined as follows:

(b)

The minimum length of any diving area terminating at a vertical wall shall be thirty (30) feet.

(c)

Where multiple diving boards are used, the space between centerlines shall not be less than ten (10) feet, and no board over twenty-four (24) inches above the water shall be closer than twelve (12) feet to a side wall. Boards twenty-four (24) inches and under shall be no closer than ten (10) feet to a side wall and space between centerlines shall not be less than ten (10) feet. These dimensions shall apply both at the end wall and the point of maximum depth.

(d)

The space between centerlines of three (3) meter and five (5) meter diving boards shall be not less than fifteen (15) feet, and between five (5) meter and ten (10) meter boards, shall be not less than eighteen (18) feet. The minimum distances from centerlines of five (5) meter and ten (10) meter boards shall be the same to side walls.

(e)

A life line shall be provided at the five-foot break point to separate the diving area from the swimming area of a public swimming pool.

(f)

All diving boards shall have a minimum of three (3) feet of their length extended out over the water beyond the pool edge.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-43. - Lighting fixtures.

Where public swimming pools are used after dark, the swimming pool area shall be equipped with lighting fixtures of such number and design as to light all parts of the pool area and the water therein. Fixtures should be installed in such a manner as to create no hazard to swimmers and to prevent light-attracted insects from falling into the water. The design and installation of fixtures shall be such that lifeguards can see clearly every part of the pool, including the decks, diving boards and other appurtenances, without being blinded by glare. If installed, submarine lights shall provide at least one (1) watt per square foot of pool area. Each submarine light must be properly connected to a ground.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-44. - Water fountains.

Each public swimming pool area shall be equipped with at least one (1) approved type water fountain that is readily accessible to swimmers.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-45. - Food and drink regulations.

(a)

Food and drink preparation, serving or consumption facilities shall not be permitted on the deck of a public swimming pool or closer than twelve (12) feet from the rim of the pool. If food and drink are served at a pool, the operator may be required to obtain a food permit from the health officer.

(b)

Any person in the process of eating or drinking shall be confined to an area no closer than six (6) feet of the pool rim. Food or drink in glass containers shall not be permitted or consumed within the fenced confinement of any public swimming pool.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-46. - Dressing room; showers, toilet facilities and lavatories.

(a)

A dressing room for each sex shall be provided at all public swimming pools. Metal lockers, wire baskets, hooks or other sanitary means of storage of clothing and personal accessories shall be provided. Wooden lockers or cloth bags will not be permitted. All liquid waste shall be discharged to an approved public sewer. The floors shall have a minimum pitch of three (3) inches in ten (10) feet to the drains, with no low spots which will allow water to stand. The floors shall be of smooth but nonslip finish and the rooms shall be ventilated so that floors do not remain damp or wet between periods when the swimming pool is in use.

(b)

Showers, toilet facilities and lavatories shall be provided at public swimming pools in accord with the provisions of the city's plumbing code. Soap shall be provided at each shower and lavatory and toilet paper shall be provided at each water closet.

(c)

The floor of the dressing room required by this section shall be maintained in a clean and dry condition, when the swimming pool is not in use, to aid in the prevention of the spread of "athletes foot" disease. All of the dressing room facilities shall be maintained in a healthful and safe manner.

(d)

Apartment and condominium swimming pools shall be exempt from the provisions of this section requiring dressing rooms.

(e)

Separate dressing rooms shall not be required for wading pools or spray pools operated in conjunction with a public swimming pool.

(f)

A minimum of one (1) shower for patron use shall be provided at each public swimming pool.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Sec. 39-47. - Common use of combs, cups, etc.; laundering and handling of swimming suits and towels furnished by management.

(a)

The common use of brushes, combs, towels and drinking cups at public swimming pools is prohibited.

(b)

Swimming suits and towels furnished by the management of a public swimming pool shall be laundered and handled in a healthful and safe manner.

(Ord. No. 4739-95)

Secs. 39-48—39-51. - Reserved.