| Each upswing in pool/spa seasonal use brings a significant increase in emergency room treatment of injuries resulting from poor maintenance of the pool/spa facility and poor chemical treatment of the pool or spa water. The following article from the archives should be considered:
MAINTAIN CLARITY IN SWIMMING POOL WATER
Date: 6/1/2004
All too often, a contributing factor in a drowning will relate to murky water. In one drowning case, testimony indicated the water was so murky there was only visibility of one to one-and-one-half feet.
A boy drowned as he was at the bottom of the pool and could not be seen. Witnesses indicated there could have been a rescue if they had been aware of the boy's predicament
Be sure the engineer or maintenance person is knowledgeable in pool maintenance. Here the amount of chemical not only establishes the pH; but also is a critical factor in the clarity of the water. The chemicals also are critical in control of water acidity and water alkalinity. This factor is known as pH. It is preferable that the pH be between 7.2 and 7.6 or slightly alkaline. In excess of 7.6 there will likely be a problem with algae growth and swimmers may have skin and mucous membrane irritations. The water becomes uncomfortable for the swimmer if the pH drops below .7.2, and if below a pH of 6.8, metal installations will corrode.
Treatment of the pool must be accomplished when no swimmers are present. The clarity of the water should be such that the pool drain may be clearly seen from the pool deck. In some jurisdictions, it is required that a two-inch disk with black and red quadrants be visible in 15 feet of water from the pool deck.
It is recommended there be an hourly check on water clarity by a member of the maintenance staff; or on a continuing basis when a lifeguard is present. It may be necessary to close the pool to make required chemical changes
Water stabilizers are necessary to counter-act the instability of fresh water being added to the pool. The color of the water is also a factor to be considered and fresh-water chemicals and minerals may be required to maintain a desired color. Local professionals should assist in this determination as the nature of the water for the location differs considerably. Therefore, there is no product that will serve all needs.
Filters are the basic factor in pool maintenance and are a critical element in providing and maintaining water clarity. While the filter will usually cycle the pool water every six to eight hours, considerable use of the pool will require additional water turnover cycles. Here, again, a trained member of the engineering staff will be able to determine the cycles needed to maintain pool clarity and chemical balance.
On December 19, 2007, the President signed into law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, named after the daughter of Nancy Baker and the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker. Graeme Baker died in a tragic incident in June, 2002 after the suction from a spa drain trapper her under water.
The new law is aimed at reducing the 260 pool and spa drownings each year involving children younger than 5 and suction entrapment deaths and injuries, by making pools and spas safer, securing the environment around them, and educating consumers and i8ndustry on pool safety.
The Act specifies that by December 19, 2008, swimming pool and spa drain covers available for purchase in the U.S MUST meet specific requirements. Additionally, public swimming pools, wading pools, spas and hot tubs MUST meet requirements for installation of compliant drain covers. In certain instances, public pools and spas MUST have additional devices or systems to prevent suction entrapments.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will implement and enforce this regulation. It is suggested you go to: www.cpsc.gov for more information
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Article
A FURTHER POOL SAFETY MAINTENANCE TIP!