S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-51.J

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024

Section 61-51.J - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE FOR ALL TYPE POOLS

1. Applicability. All public swimming pools, no matter when constructed, must comply with requirements of this section. All pools and pool equipment must be operated and maintained in accordance with the permitted plans and specifications or approved change order.

2. Operating Permits. No pool may operate without a valid operating permit. Operating permits are valid for a period of one (1) year beginning on April 1, and ending on March 31 of any calendar year. Operating permit fees are due by February 15 of each calendar year and are considered delinquent if not received by March 15th of each calendar year. The current operating permit must be prominently displayed at the pool on or near the pool rules sign.

3. Address and Ownership Changes. It shall be the owner's responsibility to notify the Department in writing of any address or ownership changes.

4. Housekeeping.

(a) The bathhouse and minimum toilet facilities must be kept clean with the floors and walls cleaned as often as necessary to maintain good sanitary conditions and kept as dry as possible. Showers must be scrubbed at least daily and proper disinfectant applied to the floors. All plumbing fixtures must be kept in good operating condition. Toilet paper and soap must be available in the dispensers at all times the pool is open. If public towels are provided, these towels must be laundered after each use. The pool, including walkways, diving boards, ladders, etc., must be kept clean. The surrounding grounds must be kept free of trash and litter. All pools must have a trash receptacle at the pool site.

(b) No glass of any kind or any other material that may be a hazard to bathers' feet or bodies will be allowed in the pool area. No furniture constructed with glass components may be located within the pool area.

5. Water Supply. All water used in public swimming pools, drinking fountains, bathhouse, or minimum toilet facilities, must be from a Public Drinking Water System which has been approved by the Department.

6. Drinking Water Fountain. Drinking water fountains, where installed, must be properly maintained. All electric drinking fountains must be equipped with ground fault interrupters.

7. Sanitary Sewage. The disposition of sanitary sewage from the bathhouse or minimum toilet facilities must be into a sanitary sewer, a septic tank, or other waste treatment facility which has been approved by the Department.

8. Equipment Enclosure. An enclosure must be provided to prevent unauthorized access to pool operating equipment. The structure shall protect the equipment from vandalism. This enclosure must be of adequate height and size to enable required equipment maintenance and designed to drain away excess water. It must be adequately illuminated and ventilated. The equipment enclosure room is to be used specifically to house equipment for the pool's recirculation, filtration, and disinfection.

9. Recirculation System. The recirculation system must be operated on a twenty-four (24) hour basis during the swimming season unless it can be demonstrated by the owner or designated agent that water quality can be maintained with fewer hours of operation. The recirculation system must be operated during posted pool hours.

10. Accidents. Any death, injury, or accident requiring an EMS response, an emergency room visit, or hospitalization must be reported to the Department by the owner ordesignated agent in writing on a Department approved form within seventy-two (72) hours of the occurrence.

11. Safety Precautions.

(a) One or more lifeguards shall be on duty during operation hours at Type "A" and "E" pools. The minimum lifeguard requirements are listed in paragraph R.61-51.J.11(a)(i). Lifeguards must have their current certifications available for inspection while on duty. Lifeguards, when on duty, shall have no other duty but to supervise the swimmers.

(i) As a condition of obtaining and maintaining an operating permit, all Type "A" public swimming pools shall provide lifeguards in accordance with the following:

(A) A public swimming pool of three thousand (3,000) square feet or fewer must have:

(1) One (1) lifeguard for one (1) through twenty-five (25) patrons;

(2) Two (2) lifeguards for twenty-six (26) through fifty (50) patrons;

(3) Three (3) lifeguards for fifty-one (51) through one hundred-fifty (150) patrons;

(4) Four (4) lifeguards for one hundred fifty-one (151) through two hundred-fifty (250) patrons;

(5) One (1) additional lifeguard for each one hundred patrons greater than two hundred-fifty (250) patrons

(B) A public swimming pool of three thousand one (3,001) square feet through six thousand (6,000) square feet must have:

(1) Two (2) lifeguards for one (1) through twenty-five (25) patrons;

(2) Three (3) lifeguards for twenty-six (26) through fifty (50) patrons;

(3) Four (4) lifeguards for fifty-one (51) through one hundred-fifty (150) patrons;

(4) Five (5) lifeguards for one hundred fifty-one (151) through two hundred-fifty (250) patrons;

(5) One (1) additional lifeguard for each one hundred patrons greater than two hundred-fifty (250) patrons

(C) A public swimming pool of six thousand one (6,001) square feet through nine thousand (9,000) square feet must have:

(1) Two (2) lifeguards for one (1) through twenty-five (25) patrons;

(2) Three (3) lifeguards for twenty-six (26) through fifty (50) patrons;

(3) Five (5) lifeguards for fifty-one (51) through one hundred-fifty (150) patrons;

(4) Six (6) lifeguards for one hundred fifty-one (151) through two hundred-fifty (250) patrons;

(5) One (1) additional lifeguard for each one hundred patrons greater than two hundred-fifty (250) patrons

(D) A public swimming pool of greater than nine thousand (9,000) square feet must have:

(1) Three (3) lifeguards for one (1) through twenty-five (25) patrons;

(2) Four (4) lifeguards for twenty-six (26) through fifty (50) patrons;

(3) Six (6) lifeguards for fifty-one (51) through one hundred-fifty (150) patrons;

(4) Seven (7) lifeguards for one hundred fifty-one (151) through two hundred-fifty (250) patrons;

(5) One (1) additional lifeguard for each one hundred patrons greater than two hundred-fifty (250) patrons

(ii) A public swimming pool that is required to have only one lifeguard shall, at all times, have at least one additional pool staff employee present and available to make an emergency call if necessary.

(iii) Any request for a variance from the lifeguard requirements listed in R.61-51.J.11(a)(i) must be made in writing and must include a site-specific evaluation that demonstrates proof of equivalency with the provisions in R.61-51.J.11(a)(i). The Department will consider the variance request and will provide written notice of its decision.

(iv) Lifeguard requirements for Type "E" public swimming pools.

(A) Type "E" pools shall submit to the Department a lifeguard coverage plan. The lifeguard coverage plan must contain notification that the pool chooses to follow the lifeguard requirements enumerated in R.61-51.J.11(a) for Type "A" pools or, in the alternative, provide the following information:

(1) A pool schematic or diagram that shows lifeguard positions or stations along with sightlines;

(2) The number of lifeguards used during all expected conditions of facility operations. The pool surface area and user loading must be taken into account;

(3) The plan must include references, standards, and information from pool safety consultants and or other experts in pool safety and lifeguard coverage.

(B) Upon Department approval, Type "E" public swimming pools shall provide lifeguards in accordance with their approved plan. Until approval is received, Type "E" pools must follow the lifeguard requirements enumerated in R.61-51.J.11(a) for Type "A" pools.

(b) Type "A" and "E" pools must be locked when not under lifeguard supervision. All pools must be locked when the pool area is not open for patrons.

(c) Each Type "E" facility must provide attendants during operation of the facility to control the spacing and number of patrons utilizing each ride and to ensure and maintain the safe egress of all sliders out of the landing pool.

(d) At least one unit of life saving equipment must be inside the fence and be within two hundred (200) feet walking distance from any point on the pool perimeter and must be readily accessible and functional during posted pool hours. Life saving equipment is not required for Type "C" and "D" pools. Shepard's crook and life ring are not required for Type "A" and "E" pools if rescue tubes are provided.

(e) For all Type "A" and "E" pools one unit of emergency equipment must be readily accessible and functional during posted pool operating hours.

(f) All Type A and E pools must have a first aid kit. This kit must be readily accessible during posted pool hours.

(g) A toll free emergency notification device to notify emergency personnel must be provided within a two hundred (200) foot walking distance of the pool and in a location that it is easily accessible during the hours that the pool is in operation. Only permanently-mounted notification devices are acceptable to the Department. Mobile, voice over internet, or cordless telephones are not an acceptable alternative to permanently-mounted emergency notification devices. The physical address of the pool must be displayed at the emergency notification phone or device in a manner that is permanent and weather resistant.

(h) Signs in accordance with R.61-51.C.28 must be posted in a conspicuous place in the pool area for all pools. A single sign, if used for multiple pools must be clearly visible from each body of water.

(i) All diving boards and handrails must be maintained in a safe condition. Handrails and ladders must be rigidly secured while the pool is in operation and must comply with R.61-51.C.35.

(j) The lifeline must be maintained in good condition and kept in place except when lap swimming or routine maintenance is conducted. The lifeline must conform to the requirements listed in R.61-51.D.2(b).

(k) All removable diving stands must be removed when not in use.

(l) Any automatic vacuum systems must be removed from the pool during the hours the pool is open to the general public. In-floor cleaning systems must not be in operation during hours that the pool is open.

12. Swimming Limit. The swimming limits are determined in accordance with R.61-51.C.34 and must be posted on the pool rules sign.

13. Water Clarity. The water must be sufficiently clear to plainly view the main drains from the deck of the pool at all times when the pool is open. The viewer must be able to clearly distinguish the type, shape, and number of gratings (openings) of the main drains when standing at the edge of the pool deck nearest that main drain.

14. Water Quality

(a) A pool water quality test kit must be available at the facility during posted operating hours. This kit's condition must allow for accurate readings of free chlorine, bromine, pH, and cyanuric acid, if used.

(i) The DPD method or methodology approved either by the USEPA or the current edition of Standard Methods must be used to obtain free chlorine/bromine levels.

(ii) Samples for water quality testing shall be obtained at poolside.

(b) The following levels must be maintained for all pools:

Chlorine	1 to 8 parts per million (ppm) free chlorine
Bromine	2.3 to 17.6 parts per million (ppm)
pH	7.0 to 7.8 standard units

(c) All outdoor pools using chlorine may be stabilized with cyanuric acid. When used, the cyanuric acid level must not exceed two hundred (200) parts per million for calendar year 2009, one hundred fifty (150) parts per million for 2010, and one hundred (100) parts per million beginning in 2011. Indoor pools need not be stabilized.

(d) There will be no hand feeding of chemicals while the pool is open for swimming. The pool shall remain closed until chemical levels are within Department approved limits.

(e) In all cases of biological or chemical contamination of the pool water, the pool shall be immediately closed and the facility operator shall follow all current Department guidance in addressing the contamination before reopening of the pool. Biological contamination such as fecal, blood, or other body fluids shall be treated using guidance published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on their healthy swimming web site. Procedures other than those provided by the Department may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

15. Automatic Controllers. Where automatic controllers are installed, the equipment shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times. This maintenance shall include all of the manufacturers periodic service and calibration schedules for the controller and associated monitoring equipment.

16. Pool Temperatures

(a) Pool, spa, lazy river, or other pool type temperatures shall not exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

(b) The temperature of each heated Type "D" pool must be monitored and posted by one of the following ways:

(i) Every two hours and posted on the spa caution sign.

(ii) Continuously with automated equipment and the temperature displayed within sight of the spa.

(iii) A shatter-resistant thermometer placed in the spa so that spa users can read it.

17. Operation Reports.

(a) Daily operation reports shall be maintained at every public pool. These shall include, as a minimum, readings of chlorine/bromine and pH. Chlorine/bromine and pH shall be checked daily or more frequently during operating hours to ensure the facility maintains required water quality standards for chlorine/bromine and pH. Cyanuric acid levels, if applicable, must be checked and recorded weekly.

(b) Results must be annotated on a bound log, with consecutively numbered pages, that is acceptable to the Department. The date, time and actual numerical reading must be listed on the report. Instrument monitoring shall not be used in lieu of physical water sampling at poolside. The report must be initialed at each reading and signed by the pool operator or his/her designated agent.

(c) Reports must be available for Department staff at time of inspection. In addition, reports shall be maintained and available at the facility for the previous eighteen (18) months.

18. Pool Operator

(a) All public swimming pools shall be operated under the direction of a qualified swimming pool operator who holds a valid South Carolina Pool Operator's certification issued by a party approved by the Department. Specific criteria shall be established by the Department for this approval process.

(b) The pool operator of record must inspect each public swimming pool a minimum of three (3) times per week during operation. Results of this inspection shall be annotated in the facility's bound log book and initialed by the pool operator.

19. Depth Markers. All pools must comply with the depth marker requirements listed in R.61-58.C(7) when a Change Order Request Form has been approved by the Department for recoating or resurfacing of the interior of the pool or for resurfacing of the deck.

20. Bacteriological Quality. The Department may take samples as necessary for bacterial analysis for each pool. The Department may also require that the owner sample the pool water for fecal coliform and have it analyzed by a certified laboratory. Any such sample shall be analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria in accordance with approved drinking water standard methods. The presence of any fecal coliform bacteria will indicate unsatisfactory water quality and will result in facility closure until satisfactory results are obtained.

21. Inspection of Facilities and Sampling of Pool Water.

(a) All public pools must be accessible for inspection by authorized representatives of the Department during the posted pool operating hours unless a sign is posted indicating that the pool is closed. Equipment rooms and associated chemical storage areas must also be accessible during pool inspection.

(b) It is the owner's or designated agent's responsibility to correct those items not in compliance with these regulations.

22. Facility Closure. If the public swimming pool is closed for six (6) months or longer, the facility shall be appropriately covered with a commercially manufactured pool cover or drained of stagnant water, cleaned, and secured with a fence to prevent access. If drained, care should be taken to ensure that the facility is not damaged by subsurface hydro-static pressure. If a public swimming pool is to be permanently closed, for a period in excess of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, the pool shall be filled in or removed and the water and drainage connections removed. Once a pool is filled in, there should be no subsequent settling that causes water to pond. Facility closures require written notification to the Department.

23. Operating Permit Fees. The Department shall collect annual operating permit fees and late fees as specified in R.61-30, Environmental Protection Fees.

24. Operation and Maintenance Variance. When a pool owner or designated agent desires to operate a public swimming pool under a standard other than specified in these regulations a variance may be requested from the Department. Such a request must be submitted in writing and shall include a description of the standard proposed, identify the standard required by the regulation and include proof of equivalency. This request for a variance may be considered by the Department for approval. The Department's decision on such a variance will be final and will be made in writing.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-51.J

Replaced and amended by State Register Volume 38, Issue No. 6, eff 6/27/2014.