Section 29(8) in Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Regulation and Monitoring of Swimming Pools) Rules, 2015
(8)Operation of Mechanical Equipment. - (i) Manufacturers' instructions for operation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment, as well as pump performance curves, shall be kept available at the pool. All valves and piping in the equipment room shall be permanently identified as to use and direction of flow. A valve operating procedure must be provided in the equipment room for each operation (e.g., recirculation, filtration, back washing, etc.)(ii)Recirculation pumps shall be kept in good repair and condition. The pump discharge or inlet supply line valve shall be adjusted as necessary to maintain the design flow rate.(iii)Filtration equipment:- The filtration flow rate shall not exceed the maximum filtration design flow rate specified by the filter manufacturer for public swimming pool usage. Where the filtration flow rate is not known or has not been determined, it shall not exceed 67 liter per minute per square foot of filter area for high-rate sand filters.(iv)Hair and Lint Strainers:- Hair and lint strainers shall be cleaned to prevent clogging of the suction line and cavitations. The pump shall be stopped before the strainer is opened to avoid drawing air into the pump and losing the prime.(v)Flow meters shall be maintained in an accurate operating condition and shall be readable.(vi)Vacuum and Pressure Gauges:- The lines leading to the gauges shall be bled occasionally to prevent blockage.(vii)Gas Chlorinators:- (a) The manager or operator shall post the telephone numbers of the appropriate emergency personnel to contact, in the event of a chlorine gas emergency;(b)Chlorine cylinders shall be stored indoors in the area designed for that purpose and away from a direct source of heat. They shall be chained or strapped to a rigid support to prevent accidental tipping. Cylinders shall not be moved unless the protection cap is secured over the valve. Gas mask, approved for use in a chlorine atmosphere, shall be kept outside the chlorine room in an unlocked container at all times. The gas mask canister shall be replaced regularly as per the manufacturer's recommendations;(c)Chlorinators, gas lines, injectors, vent lines and cylinders shall be checked daily for leaks. In case of a chlorine leak, corrective measures shall be undertaken only by trained persons wearing proper safety equipment. All other persons shall be evacuated from the dangerous area until conditions are again safe.(viii)Positive Displacement Feeders:- (a) Positive displacement feeders shall be periodically inspected and serviced.(b)When a chemical feeder is used with calcium hypochlorite solution, to minimize sludge accumulation in the unit, the lowest practicable concentration of solution shall be used, and in no case shall this concentration exceed five percent. If liquid chlorine solution is used, the dilution with water is not critical to the operation of the unit. After thoroughly rinsing with water, a small amount of mild acid solution may be fed through the unit periodically, to dissolve sludge accumulations.(ix)pH Adjustment:- (a) Soda ash or caustic soda shall be used to raise the pool water pH. Protective equipment and clothing, including rubber gloves and goggles, must be available for the handling and use of these chemicals.(b)Sodium bisulfate, carbon dioxide gas or muriatic acid shall be used to lower pool water pH. Carbon dioxide cylinders shall be securely chained or otherwise restrained in a manner that will prevent tipping. Protective equipment and clothing, including rubber gloves and goggles, must be available for handling these chemicals.(x)Miscellaneous Chemicals:- (a) Chemicals shall be kept covered and stored in the original, labeled container, away from flammables and heat and in a clean, dry, well-ventilated place which prevents unauthorized access to the chemicals.(b)If polyphosphates are used for sequestering iron, the concentration of polyphosphates shall not exceed ten pm.(xi)Acoustics:- Suitable arrangement shall be made to ensure that safety instructions can be heard, considering the noise level in peak hours.(xii)Monitoring and Reporting:- (a) Operation reports: The pool manager shall keep the daily record of swimming pool or other pool operational data.(b)Water quality testing:- Disinfectant residual and pH tests shall be made on samples collected from the shallow and deep areas of swimming pool, at least twice daily. Where chlorine is used as a disinfectant, testing for combined chlorine shall be performed at least daily. In addition, where chlorinated cyanurates are utilized as a chlorine disinfectant, testing for cyanuric acid concentration shall be performed at least daily. Where ozone is utilized, testing to determine the ozone concentration immediately above the pool water surface shall be performed monthly. Necessary testing kits should be made available for checking the pH and disinfectant residual. The person responsible for testing shall be thoroughly familiar with the procedure for checking. Records of water quality testing shall be kept intact.(c)Refuse disposal:-The equipment provided for the storage, collection, and disposal of refuse produced at a swimming pool or bathing beach shall be such that the creation of conditions detrimental to public health, such as rodent harborage, insect breeding areas, odors, air pollution and accidents are prevented. All refuse shall be stored in water¬tight, metal or rigid plastic containers having tight-fitting lids. Containers shall be provided as needed throughout food preparation areas and eating areas to provide for enough collection of trash.(xiii)Besides the specifications prescribed in these rules, the following Industrial Standard codes of practice shall also be followed and any breach thereof shall be deemed to be a breach of the requirements under these rules:-(a)3328:1993 Quality tolerances for water for swimming pools (First Revision);(b)6494:1988 Code of practice for water-proofing of underground water reservoirs and swimming pools;
