Section 29 in Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Regulation and Monitoring of Swimming Pools) Rules, 2015
29. Operation and Maintenance.
(1)Pool and Pool Area. - (i) The pool manager shall keep the water in the pool clean and change it at least once in six months in a year and at short intervals if directed by the Inspecting authority. Monthly water test report shall be maintained and entered in a register, which is subject to inspection by the Executive Authority.(ii)The swimming pool shall be maintained free from sediment, lint, dirt and hair. The walls, ceilings, floors, equipment and the pool area shall be properly maintained so that they are protected from deterioration. Cracks and other defects in the pool, if appear, shall be repaired immediately. All equipment shall be maintained in proper condition, with all required components in place.(iii)Pool decks shall be rinsed daily. Indoor pool decks shall be disinfected at least weekly. No furniture, plants or other furnishings shall be placed within 1.2 m of the pool. This area shall be kept free from obstructions such as chairs, baby strollers and maintenance equipment.(iv)Floats or tubes not in use shall be removed from the pool. Safety ropes shall be kept in place except when the swimming pool is being used exclusively for lap swimming or competition.(v)Planting of trees or shrubs that attract insects near the pool and furnishing shall be situated away from the pool edge or shall be avoided.(vi)Starting platforms and starting blocks shall not be used for any other purpose other than competitive swimming activities. Starting blocks shall be securely anchored when in use but removed or prohibited from use when not being used in conjunction with competitive swimming or training.(2)Perimeter Overflow and Skimmers. - The perimeter overflow systems or automatic surface skimmers shall be kept clean and free of leaves or other debris which will restrict flow. The strainer baskets for skimmers shall be cleaned daily. The flow through each skimmer shall be adjusted as often as necessary to maintain a vigorous skimming action which will remove all floating matter from the surface of the water. The pool water shall be maintained at an elevation such that effective surface skimming is accomplished. For pools with perimeter overflow systems, adequate surge storage capacity should be maintained so that flooding of the perimeter overflow system does not occur during periods of peak usage.(3)Inlet Fittings. - Inlets shall be checked frequently so that the rate of flow through each inlet establishes a uniform distribution pattern. Inlets in pools with surface skimmers shall be adjusted as necessary to provide vigorous skimming.(4)Security. - The owner or occupier of the pool shall provide sufficient number of guards at the pools, except in swimming pools of single dwelling unit, both during operational and non-operational time to regulate access. Doors or gates in the swimming pool enclosure shall be kept closed and locked when the swimming pool is closed.(5)Bather Loads. - (i) The pool manager shall not allow any person who does not know swimming or a beginner to enter the water in the absence of a qualified Life Guard, Coach or Instructor , as the case may be.(ii)The number of persons permissible within a swimming pool depending on the depth of the pool is as follows:-(a)Where depth is less than 1.0 m, 1 bather per 2.2 square meter(b)Where depth is between 1.0m and 1.5 m, 1 bather per 2.7 square meter(c)Where depth is more than 1.5 m, 1 bather per 4.0 square meter(iii)In case of educational institutions, the number of persons within a swimming pool shall not exceed 30 in case of category-I and II pools and it shall not exceed 15 in case of category-III and IV pools which is subject to the full complement of swimming coach/instructor and life guards as prescribed in sub-rule (2) of rule 26.(iv)Except in swimming pools in single dwelling units, the bather load shall be pasted at the pool entrance or at a location where it can be seen by all bathers and shall be enforced by the pool manager.(v)No person shall be allowed to be in the pool for (except in swimming pools of single dwelling unit) more than one hour except with the consent of the life guard or the coach, as the case may be.(6)Operational timings. - (i) Permission for specific operational timings shall be obtained from the Committee. Swimming pools in Schools shall be kept open for use only between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. In case of higher educational institutions, the swimming pool shall be kept open for use only between 6.00 a.m and 9.00 p.m. In respect of institutions other than education institution, the owner or occupier of the swimming pool shall get specific permission from the Committee for required operational time. The swimming pool shall not be kept open for use other than the timings specified in this rule except with special permission in writing from the Committee.(ii)Recycling of pool water shall not be made during the operational timings.(iii)The full contingent of personnel indicated in rule 26 shall be available during the operational timings.(7)Electrical Systems. - Electrical system in the pool premises shall be maintained in accordance with the National Electrical Code.(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;
