The owner or person responsible for the operation
of a spa or hot tub shall be knowledgeable in the operation of the
equipment, procedures for performing the necessary water quality tests
and safety checks and appropriate emergency procedures. The owner
shall make available for employees a detailed written manual on the
operation and normal maintenance procedures and be responsible for
disinfectant and water treatment operations. Unauthorized persons
shall not attempt disinfectant and water treatment.
A.
Water quality. The water used at all spa pools shall
meet the bacteriological, chemical, physical and radiological standards
of this chapter.
B.
Circulation. Water shall be introduced to and withdrawn
from the pool so as to provide uniform circulation and uniform disinfectant
residual throughout the entire spa pool.
C.
Recirculation and filtration. Spa pools shall be provided
with a recirculation and filtration system, except where there is
a flow of water of the quality and quantity through the spa pool which
at all times conforms to the provisions of this chapter.
D.
Clarity of the pool. All water in the spa pool shall
be sufficiently clear to permit a black disc, six inches in diameter
on a white field, when placed on the bottom of the pool at the deepest
point, to be clearly visible.
E.
Contamination. Water in a spa pool shall be considered
contaminated when one of the following conditions exist:
(1)
More than one ten-milliliter portion of any sample
shows a positive test for coliform organisms, when multitube fermentation
technique is used, or more than one coliform per 50 milliliters, when
the membrane filter test is used.
(2)
Two consecutive samples show in a positive test for
coliform organisms in any ten-milliliter portion of any sample, when
the multitube fermentation technique is used, or more than one coliform
per 50 milliliters, when the membrane filter is used.
(3)
Two of any 10 consecutive samples show a positive
test for coliform organisms in any of the ten-milliliter portions
of any sample, when the multitube fermentation technique is used,
or more than one coliform per 50 milliliters, when the membrane filter
test is used.
(4)
When any harmful level of disease-producing organisms,
toxic chemicals or adverse physical conditions are present in the
water.
F.
Laboratory testing. Laboratory tests of water shall
be performed by competent personnel in accordance with the procedure
provided in the current edition of Standard Methods for the Examination
of Water and Wastewater, published jointly by the American Public
Health Association and the American Water Works Association. Conformity
with these standards shall be evidenced by a statement from the laboratory
to such effect. Upon notification by the laboratory that water does
not meet standards for safe and sanitary pool water, the spa pool
shall be immediately closed to the public until the problem has been
corrected. Upon receipt of such notification, the owner shall also
provide notification to the Community Development Department. This
procedure shall be documented on the daily records indicating the
corrective action taken.
G.
Turnover period. Spa pools and hot tubs must be capable
of minimum turnover rates of 30 minutes.
H.
Cleaning and refilling. Spa pools shall be emptied
and cleaned as often as necessary. The time will be directly related
to the length of time the pool is in operation and the number of people
using it.
I.
Disinfection. When chlorine or a hypochlorite compound
is used for disinfection, the free chlorine residual in the water
of the spa pool shall not be less than two point five (2.5) parts
per million. When bromine is used, the minimum residual shall not
be less than three point five (3.5) parts per million. The maximum
residual for the spa pool may be raised to 10 parts per million or
the manufacturer's recommendations (whichever is less). The pH value
of the water shall be maintained between seven point two (7.2) and
eight point zero (8.0), depending on the amount of free available
chlorine or bromine.
J.
Temperature. Controls shall be provided to prevent
water temperatures in excess of 104° F. The controls shall be
accessible only to the owner or person responsible for the operation
of the spa pool.
A.
A precaution sign shall be mounted adjacent to the
entrance to the spa pool or hot tub, containing the following warnings:
(1)
Prohibition of use by persons under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
(2)
Caution that persons suffering from heart disease,
diabetes or high blood pressure should contact a physician before
use.
(3)
Caution for women who are or may be pregnant to seek
the advice of a physician regarding use and to limit the women's time
in the pool.
(4)
Persons should limit the stay in the pool to 15 minutes
in any one session.
(5)
Prohibition of food or drink in the water.
(6)
Location of the nearest telephone or emergency notification
number.
(7)
Location of an audible emergency alarm to alert others
in the area of a need to respond.
(8)
Not to be operated at water temperatures in excess
of 104° F.
B.
These requirements shall be conveyed by any combination
of words, pictures or symbols.
Spa pools and hot tubs shall be located so that
they are easily observable by attendants at the facility. At least
one attendant shall be proficient in first aid and cardiopulmonary
resuscitation as evidenced by current certification by the American
Red Cross, YMCA or other equivalent training acceptable to the Department.
