15A NCAC 18A .2511      INSPECTIONS

(a)  Each public swimming pool shall be inspected by the Department to determine compliance with the rules of this Section. Where an operation permit is issued prior to inspection of a public swimming pool, an inspection shall be completed within 60 days following issuance of the permit. Pools that open on or after April 1 and close on or before October 31 shall be inspected at least once during the period of operation. All other pools shall be inspected at least twice a year.

(b)  Inspections of public swimming pools shall be conducted by Environmental Health Specialists authorized by the Department to enforce the rules of this Section. Inspections shall be documented on Inspection of Swimming Pool Form DENR 3960. Items on the grade sheet shall be divided into two, four and six-demerit items. Six-demerit items are failures to maintain minimum water quality or safety standards and warrant immediate suspension of an operation permit under G.S. 130A-23(d). Four-demerit items are rule violations which warrant denial of an operation permit or notification of an intent to suspend an operation permit. Two-demerit items are rule violations that do not warrant permit action unless such violation causes an imminent hazard, a failure to meet water quality or safety standard, or a suction hazard. Demerits shall be assessed for each item found not to be in compliance with the rules of this Section. Demerits shall be assessed as follows:

(1)           Violation of Rule .2535(2) of this Section regarding water clarity shall be assessed six demerits.

(2)           Violation of Rule .2531(a)(10), .2531(b)(3), .2535(3), (4), (5), (7), (8), or (9), or .2543(d)(7) or (e)(2) of this Section regarding disinfectant residuals shall be assessed six demerits.

(3)           Violation of Rule .2535(1) of this Section regarding pool water pH shall be assessed six demerits.

(4)           Violation of Rule .2535(12) of this Section or regarding control of water temperature in heated pools shall be assessed six demerits.

(5)           Violation of Rule .2535(10), (11), or (13), .2537(c), or .2540 of this Section regarding pool operator training, water quality records and test kits shall be assessed four demerits.

(6)           Violation of Rule .2518(j), .2537(b)(7) or (16), or .2539 of this Section regarding pool drains and suction hazards shall be assessed six demerits.

(7)           Violation of Rule .2537(b)(3), (8), (9) or (14) of this Section regarding maintenance of pool walls and floor shall be assessed four demerits.

(8)           Violation of Rule .2518(k) or (l), .2531(4), .2532(4)(b) or .2537(b)(14) of this Section regarding water surface skimmers shall be assessed four demerits.

(9)           Violation of Rule .2523 or .2537(b)(6) of this Section regarding depth markers and no diving markers shall be assessed four demerits.

(10)         Violation of Rule .2515(d) or (f), .2523(e) or .2537(b)(12) of this Section regarding floating safety ropes and contrasting color bands at breakpoints shall be assessed two demerits.

(11)         Violation of Rule .2517, .2521, .2527, .2537(b)(10), .2527, or .2542 of this Section regarding diving equipment, slides, ladders, steps, handrails and in-pool exercise equipment shall be assessed two demerits.

(12)         Violation of Rule .2518(i) or .2537(b)(8) of this Section regarding inlets and other fittings shall be assessed four demerits.

(13)         Violation of Rule .2516(b), .2521(b)(4), .2532(13) or .2537(b)(12) of this Section regarding contrasting color bands on seats or benches shall be assessed four demerits.

(14)         Violation of Rule .2532(7) or .2537(b)(11) of this Section regarding spa timers shall be assessed four demerits.

(15)         Violation of Rule .2530(a), or (b), or .2537(b)(1) of this Section regarding lifesaving equipment shall be assessed six demerits.

(16)         Violation of Rule .2528, .2531(a)(7) or .2537(b)(5) of this Section regarding fences, barriers and gates shall be assessed four demerits.

(17)         Violation of Rule .2522 or .2537(b)(2) of this Section regarding decks shall be assessed four demerits.

(18)         Violation of Rule .2530(c) of this Section regarding No Lifeguard warning signs shall be assessed four demerits.

(19)         Violation of Rule .2530(d) or .2543(d)(13) of this Section regarding pet and glass container signs shall be assessed four demerits.

(20)         Violation of Rule .2532(15) through (17), or .2537(b)(13) of this Section regarding caution signs at hot water spas shall be assessed four demerits.

(21)         Violation of Rule .2524, or .2537(b)(4) of this Section regarding pool and deck lighting and ventilation shall be assessed four demerits.

(22)         Violation of Rule .2530(f) of this Section regarding emergency telephones shall be assessed six demerits.

(23)         Violation of Rule .2535(6) of this Section regarding automatic chlorine or bromine feeders shall be assessed four demerits.

(24)         Violation of Rule .2518 .2519, .2525, .2531(a)(1) through (3), .2532(1) through (6), or .2543(b), (d)(1) through (6) or (e)(1) of this Section regarding pool filter and circulation systems shall be assessed four demerits.

(25)         Violation of Rule .2533, .2534 or .2537(b)(15) of this Section regarding equipment rooms and chemical storage rooms shall be assessed two demerits.

(26)         Violation of Rule .2518(d) of this Section regarding identification of valves and pipes shall be assessed two demerits.

(27)         Violation of Rule .2513(b) of this Section regarding air gaps for filter backwash shall be assessed two demerits.

(28)         Violation of Rule .2526 or .2543(d)(11) of this Section regarding accessible dressing and sanitary facilities shall be assessed two demerits.

(29)         Violation of Rule .2526 of this Section regarding maintenance and cleaning of dressing and sanitary facilities and fixtures shall be assessed two demerits.

(30)         Violation of Rule .2512 of this Section regarding water supplies shall be assessed two demerits.

(31)         Violation of Rule .2513(a) of this Section regarding sewage disposal shall be assessed two demerits.

(32)         Violation of Rule .2526(c) of this Section regarding floors in dressing and sanitary facilities shall be assessed two demerits.

(33)         Violation of Rule .2526(c), or (d) of this Section regarding hose bibs and floor drains in dressing and sanitary facilities shall be assessed two demerits.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-282;

Eff. May 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2010; March 1, 2004; January 1, 1996;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. July 20, 2019.