Fulton County |
Code of Ordinances |
Chapter 34. HEALTH AND SANITATION |
Article XII. SWIMMING POOLS AND NATURAL BATHING PLACES |
§ 34-582. Disinfection and chemical feeders.
(a)
Disinfection required. The water in each pool shall be continuously chemically treated with an approved disinfecting agent, with associated, approved equipment, whereby the residual can be easily measured by simple and accurate field tests. Each pool shall have its own, separate, disinfecting equipment.
(b)
Hypo-chlorinators. Positive-displacement, peristaltic, or other approved types of hypo-chlorinators or chemical solution feeders used for hypo-chlorination shall be of sturdy construction, shall be able to withstand normal wear, corrosion and deterioration by disinfectant solutions, and shall be capable of continuous, metered feeding of required, approved solution on a 24-hour basis. The feed rate shall be adjustable from zero to full range. Hypo-chlorinators shall be capable of feeding a minimum unsterilized chlorine dosage of 12 parts per million to the circulation flow from chlorine solutions at a pressure greater than the circulation system pressure. External "on-off" timers used in conjunction with hypo-chlorinators are prohibited. An adequately sized, corrosion-resistant, and appropriately labeled container with a tight-fitting lid shall be provided and used to hold chlorine solutions. Chlorine solutions shall be delivered down-line from the pool filter and, if applicable, the pool heater, to achieve an effective pressure differential. Each pool shall have its own chlorinator.
(c)
Chemical feeders. A chemical feeder shall be provided to add pH solutions into return pool piping, and shall meet the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) above. A single feeder may not be alternately used for chlorination and pH control. External "on-off" timers used in conjunction with chemical feeders are prohibited. An adequately sized, corrosion-resistant, and appropriately labeled container with a tight-fitting lid shall be provided and used to hold pH solutions. pH solutions shall be delivered down line from the pool filter and, if applicable, the pool heater, to achieve an effective pressure differential. Each pool shall have its own chemical feeder.
(d)
Carbon dioxide gas. Pools utilizing compressed carbon dioxide gas for pH control shall adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
(e)
Chlorine erosion feeders. Only those erosion feeders specifically approved by the board of health may be used for pool disinfection. Erosion feeders shall be capable of feeding a chlorine dosage to the circulation return piping. Each pool shall have its own erosion feeder, if an erosion feeder is permitted.
(f)
Bromine feeders. Only those bromine feeders specifically approved by the board of health may be used for pool disinfection. Bromine feeders shall be capable of feeding a bromine dosage to the circulation return piping. Each pool shall have its own bromine feeder, if a bromine feeder is permitted.
(g)
Other chemicals and methods. No other chemical for disinfection or pH control may be used unless the chemical is specifically approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the board of health following demonstration of all aspects of the disinfection and toxicological properties thereof. No other method of disinfection or pH control may be used unless listed by the National Sanitation Foundation, complies with the most recent edition of ANSI/NSF-50, "Circulation System Components and Related Materials for Swimming Pools, Spas/Hot Tubs," or other approved, certifying organization, and is approved by the board of health.
(h)
Gas chlorine. All applicable local, state, and federal requirements concerning the proper handling of chlorine gas must be followed. Pools utilizing chlorine gas shall have the following provided:
(1)
Gas chlorination room. Where gas chlorine is used, the chlorinator shall be housed in an enclosure located above grade. The enclosure must be ventilated with outside air by a chlorine-resistant exhaust fan with vents that are located a maximum of four inches above the floor level, equipped with automatic louvers to achieve cross-flow ventilation located at the top of the enclosure for admitting fresh air, and capable of providing one enclosure air change per minute. Exhaust air shall be directed away from the pool area and shall not affect evacuees, or any adjacent, inhabited area, in the event of a chlorine gas leak. Exhaust fans shall be wired to operate continuously. Adequate lighting to illuminate the entire enclosure shall be provided. The enclosure's light switch shall be located outside the enclosure entrance. The enclosure door shall have a sealed, reinforced glass observation port with a minimum observation opening of four inches by six inches, centered and installed at 60 inches above the exterior ground level, to enable inspection of the interior of the gas chlorine enclosure without entry. The telephone numbers of the gas chlorine supplier and the local fire department or 911 shall be posted on the exterior side of the gas chlorine enclosure.
(2)
Gas chlorination room signage. A warning sign shall be posted on the exterior side of the enclosure door(s) that states, in minimum four-inch high letters, "DANGER - CHLORINE". The entrance door shall open to the exterior of the enclosure and shall be secured at all times except for authorized entry.
(3)
Gas chlorination tanks. All chlorine tanks shall be secured by chains or other approved devices. Full and empty tanks shall be segregated, appropriately tagged, and stored in an upright position. Chlorine cylinder valve protection caps and valve outlet caps must be in place at all times except when the cylinder is connected for use. New, approved washers must be used each time a cylinder is connected. A chlorine valve cut-off wrench shall be kept on the cylinder valve stem that is in use. Platform scales or other means of gauging available chlorine gas supply must be provided, or a full reserve tank of chlorine gas shall be kept onsite at all times. The chlorinator and all line and tank fittings must be checked for leaks at regular intervals and after every tank exchange. The gas chlorine system shall be wired electrically to turn off automatically whenever the circulation pump is not operating. A small bottle of fresh ammonia solution or other approved detection method shall be provided to test for leaks and stored securely outside the gas chlorine enclosure.
(4)
Gas chlorine personnel. At least one person trained in the performance of routine gas chlorination operation, maintenance, and emergency procedures must be readily available during the pool's normal operating hours. All pool personnel must be informed about gas chlorine leak control procedures. Only trained, designated personnel shall operate the chlorinator and change chlorine cylinders.
(5)
Gas chlorine personnel protection. Two full-face, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied air respirator that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for construction and operation must be provided for protection against chlorine in the event of a leak. This equipment shall have sufficient capacity for the purpose intended. SCBA equipment must be readily accessible at a location outside the chlorine gas enclosure that is acceptable to the local fire chief. A written respirator program shall be provided and employees shall be trained in the use and maintenance of such equipment to insure operability and safety. Entry into the chlorine gas room must not occur without necessary safety equipment, such as SCBA, for leaks, or escape type half-face or mouthpiece, cartridge-type respirator or SCBA when conducting general maintenance, changing cylinders, or other related work.
(i)
Hand feeding. Whenever a pool is open to a member of the public, no disinfectant or pH control chemical may be added by hand whether to skimmers or directly to the pool, whenever the pool is open.
(j)
Automatic controllers. If an automatic controller for adjusting chemical levels is to be used at a pool, the device and connections thereof shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The device must be directly wired to the recirculation pump and a flow switch, such that when the pump stops, the hypochlorinators and/or chemical feeders are switched off. Automatic controllers must be submitted for approval by the board of health prior to installation. An automatic pool chemical controller, if approved for installation, shall not substitute for the requirement to manually perform onsite chemical pool water tests.
(k)
Chemical storage. All pools shall have adequate, safe and secure dedicated storage for pool chemicals. If used, storage rooms must have ventilation with one air change every three minutes exhausted to the exterior away from occupied areas. Chemical vaults or storage containers must not allow a person to enter inside.
(l)
Fail-safe feature. Fail-safe features approved by the board of health shall be incorporated to prevent the pool chemicals from siphoning or being fed directly into the pool, pool piping, water supply, or pool enclosure if the circulation equipment is not in operation or fails.
(Ord. No. 09-0120, 1-7-09; Ord. No. 18-0340, Att. A, 5-16-18)