216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-50-05-4.6

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 216-RICR-50-05-4.6 - Requirements for the Operation of Aquatic Facilities and Aquatic Venues

4.6.1General Sanitation Requirements

A. Aquatic Facilities shall be maintained in good repair and working order, and in a clean and sanitary condition.

B. Aquatic Facilities shall be kept clear of debris and organic materials. Aquatic Venue water and surfaces shall be kept clear of slime and biofilm.

C. The floors of dressing, toilet, shower rooms and passageways shall be well drained and shall be treated daily with an EPA-approved fungicide.

D. Hot tubs, spas and therapeutic pools shall be drained, cleaned, scrubbed, and water replaced using a water replacement interval (in days) calculated by dividing the spa volume (in gallons) by three (3) and then dividing by the average number of users per day. The interval between cleanings shall not exceed thirty (30) days.

1. The AHJ shall have discretion in determining the viability of cleaning intervals calculated pursuant to § 4.6.1(D) of this Part.

E. Aquatic Venues constructed or substantially altered shall operate at the approved design flow rate twenty-four (24) hours per day, except as provided for in § 4.6.1(E)(2) of this Part.

1. All components of the filtration and recirculation systems shall be kept in continuous operation twenty-four (24) hours per day.

2. The system flowrate shall not be reduced more than twenty-five percent (25%) lower than the minimum design requirements and only reduced when the Aquatic Venue is unoccupied.

4.6.2Daily Water Quality Monitoring

A. Operators shall, on each operating day prior to opening an Aquatic Venue to bathers, and every two (2) or four (4) hours thereafter, based on the type of feed in accordance with §§ 4.6.2(A)(4) and (5) of this Part, while the Aquatic Venue is open to bathers, visually observe water clarity and collect and analyze water samples to verify that water quality is not detrimental to the health and safety of bathers. If any water quality parameter is not within the range listed in the appropriate table in §§ 4.6.2(B)(8), (9), (10) (11) or (12) of this Part, or water clarity does not meet the standards of § 4.6.2(C) of this Part, the Aquatic Venue shall close and remain closed until such time that the Licensing Agency determines the water quality meets all standards.

1. Aquatic venues who use chlorine-based disinfectant must test free available chlorine (FAC), combined available chlorine (CAC) and pH.

2. Aquatic venues who use bromine-based disinfectant must test total bromine (TB) and pH.

3. Aquatic venues who use both a chlorine-based and bromine-based disinfectant (e.g., bromochlorodimethylhydatoin (BCDMH)) must test CAC, FAC, TB and pH.

4. For all aquatic venues using a manual disinfectant feed system that delivers disinfectant via a flow through erosion feeder or metering pump without an automated controller, pH and either TB or FAC and CAC, as applicable, shall be tested prior to opening to bathers and every two (2) hours thereafter while open to bathers.

5. For all aquatic venues using an automated disinfectant feed system, pH and either TB or FAC and CAC, as applicable, shall be tested prior to opening and every four (4) hours thereafter while open to bathers.

B. Chemical Standards of the Aquatic Venue water:

1. An Aquatic Venue shall be continuously disinfected by a chlorinated or brominated agent which imparts a measurable residual.

2. Only chlorine or bromine products that are EPA-registered for use as sanitizers or disinfectants in Aquatic Venues in the United States are permitted.

3. Bromine-based disinfectants may be applied to Aquatic Venues through the addition of an organic bromine compound (1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH) or 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (BCDMH)).

4. Use of cyanuric acid or stabilized chlorine is prohibited for use in all indoor Aquatic Venues and in outdoor hot tubs, spas and therapeutic pools.

5. Testing equipment shall be capable of measuring the maximum and minimum chemical standards based on Aquatic Venue type and disinfectant. FAS-DPD titration test kits are considered acceptable in determining maximum and minimum disinfectant residuals. Reagents shall be replaced prior to their expiration date.

6. Chemicals other than those used for the proper maintenance of the Aquatic Venue water shall not be added to an Aquatic Venue without the written approval of the Licensing Agency. The Licensing Agency shall determine, in its sole discretion, if such chemicals will require more frequent water quality monitoring and/or monitoring for additional water quality parameters.

7. Acceptable water quality parameters for traditional swimming pools, non-traditional pools, and wading pools using a chlorine disinfectant are as follows:

Parameter	Minimum	Ideal	Maximum
Free chlorine residual (ppm) for indoor traditional swimming pools, indoor non-traditional pools, and indoor wading pools	1.0	2.0 - 4.0	10.0
Free chlorine residual (ppm) for outdoor traditional swimming pools, outdoor non-traditional pools, and outdoor wading pools not using cyanuric acid or stabilized chlorine	1.0	2.0 - 4.0	10.0
Free chlorine residual (ppm) for outdoor traditional swimming pools, outdoor non-traditional swimming pools, and outdoor wading pools using cyanuric acid or stabilized chlorine	2.0	2.0 - 8.0	10.0
Combined Chlorine (ppm)	0.0	0.0	0.2
pH	7.2	7.4 - 7.6	7.8

8. Acceptable water quality parameters for all hot tubs, spas and therapeutic pools using a chlorine disinfectant are as follows:

Minimum	Ideal	Maximum
Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit)	Personal preference	104
Free chlorine residual (ppm) for all hot tubs, spas and therapeutic pools	2.0	3.0 - 5.0	10.0
Combined chlorine (ppm)	0.0	0.0	0.2
pH	7.2	7.4 - 7.6	7.8

9. Water quality parameters for traditional swimming pools, non-traditional pools, and wading pools using a bromine disinfectant are as follows:

Minimum	Ideal	Maximum
Total Bromine Residual (ppm)	3.0	4.0 - 6.0	8.0
pH	7.2	7.4 - 7.6	7.8

10. Water quality parameters for all hot tubs and spas using bromine disinfectant are as follows:

Minimum	Ideal	Maximum
Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit)	Personal preference	104
Total bromine residual (ppm)	4.0	4.0 - 6.0	8.0
pH	7.2	7.4 - 7.6	7.8

11. Cyanuric acid levels shall not exceed twenty-five (25) ppm.

12. Secondary and supplemental disinfectants shall at no time exceed the following concentrations, and delivery systems shall satisfy the following requirements:

Maximum	Requirements
Residual ozone	0.1 ppm	Ozone systems shall be operated and maintained according to the manufacturer' s instructions to maintain the required design performance to achieve 3-log (99.9%) reduction in the number of infective cryptosporidium parvum oocysts per pass through the system. All employees shall be properly trained in the operation and maintenance of the equipment.
Copper/Silver ions	1.3 ppm (copper) 0.10 ppm (silver)	Only those systems that are EPA-registered for use as sanitizers or disinfectants in aquatic venues in the United States are permitted.
Ultraviolet light	Not applicable	UV systems shall only operate while the recirculation system is operating. UV sensors shall be calibrated at a frequency in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. Secondary UV systems shall be operated and maintained not to exceed the maximum validated flow rate and meet or exceed the minimum validated output intensity needed to achieve the required dose for a 3-log (99.9%) reduction in the number of infective cryptosporidium parvum oocysts per pass through the secondary disinfection system.

C. At all times an Aquatic Venue is open to bathers the water shall be sufficiently clear such that a marker tile or floor suction outlets are visible while the water is static. In the absence of a marker tile or floor suction outlet, the Operator shall obtain approval from the Licensing Agency for an alternate method of determining water clarity.

D. Operators shall record the results of all daily water quality analyses, water clarity observations, routine maintenance, corrective actions and closures on forms provided by the Licensing Agency. These records shall be available to the Licensing Agency at the time of an inspection authorized under § 4.3.13 of this Part, and shall be submitted to the Licensing Agency electronically within twenty-four (24) hours of any written or telephone request from the Licensing Agency.

1. Operators shall maintain copies of all records required under § 4.6.2(D) of this Part for no less than one (1) year.

4.6.3Bacteriological Analysis of Water

A. Operators shall collect one (1) water sample every ninety (90) days from each year-round Aquatic Venue for heterotrophic plate count analysis by a laboratory certified for Method 9215B. Free chlorine residual, combined chlorine, and pH must be measured and recorded concurrent with sample collection.

B. Operators shall collect one (1) water sample from each seasonal Aquatic Venue in June and one (1) water sample from each seasonal Aquatic Venue in August for heterotrophic plate count analysis by a laboratory certified for Method 9215B. Free chlorine residual, combined chlorine, and pH must be measured and recorded concurrent with sample collection.

C. No water sample shall have a heterotrophic plate count density greater than two hundred colony forming units per milliliter (200 CFU/ml) as determined by the standard thirty-five degree Celsius (35° C) agar plate count.

D. The Licensing Agency may require, when water quality or laboratory analytical results so warrant, Licensees with hot tubs, spas and therapeutic pools to collect water samples for analysis for the Pseudomonas group by a laboratory certified for Method 9213E or IDEXX Pseudalert.

E. No water sample shall contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a density greater than less than one (<1) organisms per one hundred (100) ml.

F. Samples collected for microbiological examination testing shall be collected in accordance with procedures set forth in § 4.1.3(B) of this Part.

G. The Operator shall close the effected Aquatic Venue immediately upon notification that the heterotrophic plate count for a water sample exceeds two hundred (200) CFU or when Pseudomonas aeruginosa are present in a water sample at a density greater than five (5) organisms per one hundred (100) ml. Operators shall notify the Licensing Agency of the analytical results and the closure, by telephone, within twenty-four (24) hours or on the next business day. The Aquatic Venue shall remain closed until such time the Operator has restored water quality and has provided evidence of such to the Licensing Agency.

H. Year-round Aquatic Venues shall submit laboratory analytical results that do not require reporting under § 4.6.3(G) of this Part to the Licensing Agency electronically by the tenth (10^th) day of the month following the month in which the sample was collected (e.g. results for a sample collected in February must be received by the Licensing Agency by March 10).

I. Seasonal Aquatic Venues shall submit laboratory analytical results that do not require reporting under § 4.6.3(G) of this Part to the Licensing Agency electronically by the tenth (10^th) day of the month following the month in which the samples were collected (e.g. results for a sample collected in June must be received by the Licensing Agency by August 10).

J. The Licensing Agency shall require that an Aquatic Venue conduct bacteriological sampling at an increased frequency in accordance with § 4.7.3 of this Part if the Aquatic Venue fails to maintain water quality in accordance with §§ 4.6.2(B), (C), or 4.6.3 of this Part.

K. Water quality sample results - including HPC, free chlorine, combined chlorine, and pH - shall be submitted electronically by the analyzing laboratory to the Licensing Agency in a manner compatible with the Licensing Agency's computer system. The results shall be submitted on or before deadlines set forth in §§ 4.6.3(H) or (I) of this Part.

4.6.4General Safety Requirements

All entrances to an Aquatic Venue shall be secured with a locking device at all times during which the Aquatic Venue is closed to bathers.

4.6.5Chemical Storage

A. Chemical storage shall comply with local building and fire codes.

B. Chemical handling shall be conducted in a safe and appropriate manner.

C. Storage, handling and use of all chemicals shall comply with the applicable manufacturers' safety data sheets and labels.

D. Chemical manufacturer' s safety data sheets shall be consulted for storage incompatibilities with other chemicals. Aquatic Venue chemicals shall be stored so that no mixing of incompatible materials would occur if the packages were to leak.

E. Aquatic Venue chemicals shall be stored to prevent access by unauthorized individuals.

F. Aquatic Venue chemicals shall be stored so that they are protected from getting wet.

G. Possible ignition sources, including but not limited to gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or gas-powered equipment such as lawn mowers, motors, grills, pool heaters, or portable stoves shall not be stored or installed in the chemical storage space.

H. Smoking shall be prohibited in the chemical storage space.

I. Lighting in the chemical storage space shall be sufficient to allow operators to read labels on containers throughout the chemical storage space.

J. Chemicals shall be stored away from direct sunlight, temperature extremes, and high humidity.

K. A single container of a chemical that has been opened and is currently in use in the equipment room may be kept in a staging area of the equipment room if the chemical(s) is protected from exposure to heat and moisture.

L. The chemical storage space shall be separate from the equipment room.

M. Warning signs shall be posted on chemical storage space doors.

N. Personal protective equipment shall be available as required on the chemical safety data sheets.

O. Containers of chemicals shall be labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity of the material and a statement of the hazardous effects of the chemical.

P. All Aquatic Venue chemical containers (e.g. day tanks) shall be labeled as to their contents.

4.6.6Aquatic Facility Policies and Signage

A. All licensees shall establish written policies governing no less than the following:

1. Prohibiting any person with an infectious and/or communicable disease, open lesion, blister, rash, or cut from using the Aquatic Venue;

2. Prohibiting any person who currently has, or has had diarrhea within the prior two (2) weeks, from using the Aquatic Venue;

3. Prohibiting spitting, spouting water, and blowing of the nose in the Aquatic Venue;

4. Prohibiting hyperventilation or extended breath holding activities;

5. Prohibiting running, boisterous, or rough play in the Aquatic Venue and in surrounding areas;

6. Prohibiting animals in the Aquatic Facility, except for service animals as defined by the ADA.

7. Establishing safety provisions pertaining to the use of slides and diving boards;

8. Requiring bathers to take cleansing showers prior to entering the Aquatic Venue;

9. Prohibiting food and drink within the Aquatic Facility except in designated areas;

10. Stating maximum bather occupancy for each Aquatic Venue;

11. Stating the hours of operation and a prohibition of unauthorized use outside of hours of operation; and

12. Other provisions the Licensee may deem necessary for the protection and safety of bathers.

B. Licensees with therapeutic pools, hot tubs and spas shall establish additional written policies:

1. Advising the following to contact their physician regarding the appropriateness of their use of hot tubs and spas:

a. Pregnant women;

b. Individuals suffering from heart disease, diabetes and high or low blood pressure; and

c. Persons using alcohol, anticoagulants, antihistamines, vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, stimulants, narcotics or tranquilizers.

2. Permitting the use of the therapeutic pool, hot tub, or spa only for a reasonable length of time, not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes; and

3. Suggesting that bathers shower and cool down prior to returning for another brief stay to prevent nausea, dizziness and fainting.

C. The policies required in §§ 4.6.6(A) and (B) of this Part shall be posted on signs in lettering sufficiently large and at a sufficient number of locations to be visible by bathers throughout the Aquatic Facility.

D. Licensees with Aquatic Venues operating without lifeguards must post the signage required for compliance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-22-6(b)(3).

4.6.7Communications Equipment

A. Aquatic Facilities shall have a functional telephone or other communications system or device that is hard wired and capable of directly dialing 911 or functions as the emergency notification system.

B. The telephone or communications system or device required under § 4.6.7(A) of this Part shall be conspicuously provided and accessible to Aquatic Facility users such that it can be reached immediately.

C. Signage shall clearly identify the emergency telephone or communications system or device.

D. A permanent sign shall be posted by the emergency telephone or communications system or device providing the following:

1. Aquatic Facility address;

2. Emergency dialing instructions for police, fire and emergency responders; and

3. Contact information for Aquatic Facility management.

4.6.8First Aid

A. Aquatic Facilities shall have a designated location for first-aid equipment.

B. First aid supplies shall be continuously stocked and shall include at a minimum:

1. A first-aid guide;

2. Absorbent compress;

3. Adhesive bandages;

4. Adhesive tape;

5. Sterile pads;

6. Disposable gloves;

7. Scissors;

8. Elastic wrap;

9. Emergency blanket;

10. Resuscitation mask with one-way valve; and,

11. Blood-borne pathogen spill kit.

C. Aquatic Facilities operating without lifeguards shall comply with R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-22-6(b)(2).

4.6.9Rescue Devices

A. Aquatic Venues with depths greater than two feet (2') of standing water shall provide and maintain a U.S. Coast Guard-approved aquatic rescue throwing device with at least one quarter inch (1/4") thick rope that is fifty feet (50') or one and one half (1 1/2) times the width of the pool in length, whichever is less.

B. Aquatic Venues with depths greater than two feet (2') of standing water shall provide and maintain a non-telescopic reaching pole of non-conductive material, twelve feet (12') to sixteen feet (16') in length, with a securely attached Shepherd's Crook that has an aperture of at least eighteen inches (18").

C. Rescue devices shall be located in the immediate vicinity of the Aquatic Venue and shall be accessible to bathers.

D. Aquatic Facilities operating with lifeguards shall provide at least one (1) spinal injury board constructed of easily sanitized/disinfected material shall be provided. The board shall be equipped with a head immobilizer and sufficient straps to immobilize a person to the spinal injury board.

216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-50-05-4.6

Adopted effective 1/1/2019
Amended effective 4/28/2020
Amended effective 8/24/2021
Amended effective 8/7/2022