N.J. Admin. Code § 8:26-6.13

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 8:26-6.13 - Operational requirements for swimming pools and wading pools

(a) All surfaces shall be smooth and easily cleaned and free of cracks.

(b) The color, pattern, or finish of the pool interior shall not obscure the presence of objects or surfaces within the pool.

(c) There shall be no protrusions, extensions, means of entanglement, or other obstruction in the swimming area of the swimming pool which can cause entrapment or injury of bathers.

(d) The maximum user load of a swimming pool shall conform to the requirements of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, incorporated herein by reference.

(e) The surface skimming system shall be maintained in good working order and have proper water flow levels at all times.

(f) The drainage system shall remove pool splash water, deck water, and rain water and prevent it from re-entering the pool.

(g) Yard drains shall prevent the accumulation or puddling of water in the general area of the deck and related improvements.

(h) Underwater illumination shall permit the deepest portion of the swimming pool floor to be clearly visible from the swimming pool's edge.

(i) Diving stands, boards, slides, and floats shall be maintained according to the requirements of the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, incorporated herein by reference.

(j) Diving equipment used by the general public shall not be more than 10 feet above the water level, and shall have slip-resistant surfaces.

(k) The owner or operator shall ensure that the circulation system meets the requirements as follows:

1. The pumps, piping, return inlets and suction outlets, filters, and other necessary equipment in the circulation system shall be maintained to ensure the complete circulation of water throughout all parts of the swimming pool.

2. The circulation system shall be operated, so as to turn over the entire swimming pool water capacity at least once every six hours and the wading pool water capacity at least once every hour. Pumps shall be operated 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

i. The facility owner may install an energy efficient two-speed pump to save energy when the pool is closed at night. If such a pump is installed, the turnover rates do not have to be met during the night when the pool is closed. The facility's TPO shall determine when the pump shall be brought up to full speed prior to the facility's opening.

3. Swimming pool water clarity shall be maintained so that the deepest portion of the swimming pool floor is clearly visible from the swimming pool's edge.

4. The pump and component parts of the circulation system, including filters, shall be operated in a safe manner that is not hazardous to the operator and maintenance personnel.

5. Mechanical seals shall be corrosion resistant and shall be maintained in good repair.

6. Direction of water flow and pump rotation shall be clearly indicated on pumps and on all visible piping.

7. Strainers shall be provided on all filter systems, shall be removable, and shall be located upstream of the circulation pump(s) to remove solids, debris, hair, and lint. Water entering the pump shall first pass through the removable strainer.

8. Filters shall be cleaned and maintained pursuant to the manufacturer's instructions, so that the circulation system can provide the required water clarity.

(l) The swimming pool or wading pool shall be closed if the suction outlet covers are missing, broken, or secured in such a way that they can be removed without the use of tools, or if the main drain cover is missing, broken, or loose, and shall remain closed until it is properly repaired or replaced. The swimming pool or wading pool shall be inspected daily to ensure that the suction outlet and drain covers are firmly attached and in sound condition.

(m) The owner or operator shall ensure that the disinfection of all pools is in compliance with the Uniform Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23, incorporated herein by reference.

1. Swimming pool and wading pool water shall be continuously disinfected by a disinfecting agent which gives off an easily measured residual.

2. The disinfecting agent shall be subject to simple and accurate field testing procedures.

3. Disinfecting agents and apparatus shall be acceptable if:

i. They are registered for said use by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection; and

ii. They have been demonstrated to provide a satisfactory residual effect that shall be easily measured and equally as effective in conditions of use as the chlorine concentrations specified in N.J.A.C. 8:26-7.8.

4. Chemical controller systems shall comply with the following use requirements, in addition to the installation requirements of N.J.A.C. 8:26-3.22(d):

i. A preventive maintenance plan shall be written and maintained onsite, and be provided to the health authority upon request.

(1) The plan shall ensure the accuracy of the controller and its sensors.

(2) The plan shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

(3) The plan shall show how the pool operator can ensure that the acid, base, chlorine, or bromine feeders turn on or off to maintain proper levels and residuals.

ii. A chart detailing the specific oxidation-reduction potential with its chlorine or bromine residual equivalent for each individual pool shall be readily available onsite.

iii. The operator shall ensure on a daily basis that readouts on the oxidation-reduction potential and pH readings coincide with the manual test and are documented.

iv. All recordkeeping required by N.J.A.C. 8:26-6.13(m)4 shall be maintained onsite.

v. If the chemical controller system is being used in place of the two-hour testing requirement of N.J.A.C. 8:26-7.7(a), then the owner or operator shall:

(1) Test the pool manually at least twice a day with a DPD or equivalent test kit, when it opens and when it closes, each day the pool is open, and document these tests; and

(2) Ensure that the data collected by the chemical controller system has the capacity to be downloaded, stored, and printed upon the request of the health authority.

5. Electrolytic chlorine generators, when used for producing chlorine for disinfection, shall conform to the following:

i. Electrolytic chlorine generators shall ensure an adequate feed to meet the chlorine residual specified in N.J.A.C. 8:26-7.8.

ii. A sodium chloride test kit shall be provided to monitor the salt concentration of the swimming pool or wading pool water.

6. Bromination, when used for disinfection, shall conform to the following:

i. A bromine test kit shall be available to monitor the bromine concentration of the swimming pool or wading pool water.

ii. Brominator equipment rooms shall be constructed and ventilated.

(n) The depth of water shall be plainly and conspicuously marked in feet and inches. Meters may be used in addition to feet. The following abbreviations may be used: ft., in, and m. The depth markings shall be on the vertical swimming pool wall at or above the water surface and on the top of the coping or edge of the deck or on the walkway next to the swimming pool.

(o) All equipment, fixtures, and the circulation system shall be maintained in good working order and shall not cause any safety issues for bathers.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:26-6.13

Adopted by 50 N.J.R. 481(b), effective 1/16/2018