15A NCAC 18A .2537 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
(a) All public swimming pools constructed or remodeled on or after May 1, 1991 shall be maintained and operated in accordance with the Rules of this Section.
(b) On or after May 1, 1993 all public swimming pools including those constructed prior to May 1, 1991 shall be maintained and operated in accordance with the following:
(1) All safety provisions of Rule .2530 of this Section shall be met.
(2) Decks shall be structurally sound and shall be maintained free of trip hazards or offsets greater than one-half inch resulting from deterioration or changes from the original deck profile.
(3) There shall be no loose coping.
(4) Artificial lighting shall be provided for all pools used when natural lighting is not sufficient to make all parts of the pool and pool area clearly visible.
(5) Swimming pools shall be protected by a fence, wall, building, or other enclosure, or any combination thereof, that completely encloses the swimming pool area. All gates and doors shall be equipped with self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanisms. Existing waterslide flumes and other appurtenances are not required to be located inside the fence.
(6) Depth and safety markings shall be provided as required in Rule .2523 of this Section
(7) Drain covers shall be in good condition and securely attached.
(8) Damaged face plates or fittings shall be repaired or replaced.
(9) Underwater light niches shall be maintained or covered so as not to present a potential hazard to bathers.
(10) Diving equipment and pool slides including stairs and railing shall be maintained in good working order.
(11) A timer switch that allows no more than 15 minutes of operation without manual resetting shall be used to control air blowers and hydrotherapy pumps on heated spas.
(12) All breaks in grade of the pool bottom including the leading edges of stair treads and seats and the tops of breakpoints where the slope of the bottom changes at a depth of five feet (15m) or less shall be marked with a contrasting color band by May 1, 2000. Contrasting color bands are not required where a registered engineer, registered architect or licensed swimming pool contractor certifies in writing that structural weakness or materials of construction prevent the installation of permanent markings.
(13) All heated spas shall post a caution sign as specified in Rule .2532 of this Section.
(14) Pool maintenance shall include removal of debris from the water surface and bottom of the pool.
(15) All pool chemicals shall be stored in a clean, dry, well ventilated area and shall be organized so as to prevent chemicals from reacting.
(16) No submersible pumps or mechanical pool cleaning equipment shall be placed or used in the pool while bathers are in the pool.
(c) The owner of a public swimming pool shall provide for the operation of the pool by a person or persons who shall be responsible to the owner for operation, maintenance, pool safety and record keeping. The pool owner shall maintain documentation that the person responsible for operating the pool has been trained on pool equipment operation, disease and injury prevention, pool water chemistry and regulatory requirements for public swimming pools. A pool and spa operator certificate issued by the National Swimming Pool Foundation or other organization that provides training on those subjects shall be accepted as meeting this requirement.
History Note: Authority G.S. 130A‑282;
Eff. July 1, 1992;
Temporary Amendment Eff. May 11, 1993 for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes effective, whichever is sooner.
The Codifier of Rules determined that the agency's findings of need did not meet the criteria listed in GS 150B-21.1(a);
Temporary Amendment Eff. May 1, 1993 for a period of 180 days or until the permanent rule becomes effective, whichever is sooner;
Amended Eff. February 1, 2004; April 1, 1999; January 1, 1996; October 1, 1993; May 1, 1993;
Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. July 20, 2019.