15A NCAC 18A .2530      SAFETY PROVISIONS

(a)  Swimming pools shall have lifesaving equipment conspicuously and conveniently on hand at all times. A unit of lifesaving equipment shall include the following:

(1)           A pole not less than 12 feet long, with a body hook securely attached. The pole attached to the body hook shall be non-telescoping, non-adjustable and non-collapsible.

(2)           A minimum ¼ inch diameter throwing rope as long as one and one‑half times the maximum width of the pool or 50 feet, whichever is less, attached to a U.S. Coast Guard approved ring buoy. A rescue tube or rescue can shall be accepted as a substitute for the ring buoy where it is accompanied by a lifeguard who has been trained to use it properly.

(b)  Two units of lifesaving equipment must be provided for any pool that exceeds 3,000 square feet (186 sq m) of total surface area.

(c)  When a swimming pool does not have at least one lifeguard on duty, a sign shall be posted with legible letters of at least four inches (10 cm) in height stating: "WARNING-NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY." In addition there shall be signs legible from all bather entrances with a minimum letter size of one inch stating: "CHILDREN SHOULD NOT USE THE SWIMMING POOL WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION", and: "ADULTS SHOULD NOT SWIM ALONE". Wading pools that do not have a lifeguard inside the wading pool enclosure shall have a sign posted stating "WARNING NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY". Such signs shall be mounted permanently.

(d)  A sign prohibiting pets and glass containers in the pool area shall be provided.

(e)  Pool closed signs shall be provided and shall be posted at bather entrances whenever an operation permit is suspended for water quality or safety violations.

(f)  A telephone capable of directly dialing 911 or other emergency notification system shall be provided and accessible to all pool users. Effective April 1, 2005 the telephone shall be permanently affixed to a location inside the pool enclosure or outside the enclosure within 75 feet of a bather entrance. The telephone shall be visible from within the pool enclosure or a sign shall be posted indicating the location of the emergency telephone. A sign with legible letters shall be posted at the telephone providing dialing instructions, address of the pool location and the telephone number. Where the telephone does not directly access 911, the emergency notification system shall:

(1)           Provide 24 hour monitoring of all incoming calls by a telecommunicator who answers only emergency calls;

(2)           Be capable of routing calls to the local 911 telecommunicator via the 911 dedicated emergency trunk line; and

(3)           Electronically transfer Automatic Number Identification and Automatic Locator Identification for the emergency telephone at the pool to the Enhanced 911 system for all calls routed to 911.

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

Eff. May 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2004; April 1, 1999; January 1, 1996; July 1, 1992;

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