Town of Mamakating, NY Specifications

The depth of the water shall be plainly marked above the water surface on the vertical wall of the swimming pool and/or on the edge of the deck or walk next to the swimming pool, at maximum and minimum points and at the points of break between the deep and shallow portions and at intermediate two-foot increments of depth, spaced at not more than twenty-five-foot intervals, measured peripherally. The depth in the diving areas shall be plainly marked to the satisfaction of the permit-issuing official.

Depth markers shall be in numerals of four inches' minimum height and a color contrasting with background.

A floating line shall be provided at the five-foot depth point or "breakpoint." The five-foot depth location or "breakpoint" at the bottom of the pool shall be marked with a four-inch stripe of a contrasting color. A four-inch stripe of contrasting color shall be located along the tread edge of all projecting pool steps or underwater ledge.

Outlets. All swimming pools shall be provided with an outlet at the deepest point capable of taking 100% of recirculated flow to permit the pool to be completely emptied without causing flooding or sewer backup. Openings shall be covered by a grating which is not readily removable by bathers. Outlet openings of the grating in the floor of the pool shall be at least four times the area of the discharge pipe, or the velocity of flow through the grate openings shall not exceed 1/2 foot per second under any operating condition, including drainage and backwash.

Inlets. Inlets shall be located to produce uniform circulation of water and to facilitate the maintenance of a uniform disinfectant residual throughout the entire swimming pool without creating stagnant areas. Inlets from the circulation system shall be essentially flush with the pool wall or floor and shall have one-hundred-percent flow adjustment.

Overflows.

Overflow gutters shall be provided on all new swimming pools having a surface area of over 1,600 square feet, and overflow gutters or the equivalent shall be provided on all new swimming pools having a surface area less than 1,600 square feet, to continuously remove floating material, surface dirt and wastewater.

Overflow gutters shall extend completely around the swimming pool but may be omitted at steps or recessed ladders. The overflow gutters shall also serve as handholds. The gutter shall be capable of continuously removing 100% or more of the recirculation water and returning it to the filter. All new pools with overflow gutters shall be provided with external surge capacity of one United States gallon per square foot of pool area. The gutters, drains and return piping to the surge tank shall be designed to rapidly remove overflow water caused by recirculation displacement, wave action or other causes produced from the maximum pool bathing load. Where gutters are used, they shall be designed to prevent entrance or entrapment of bathers' arms or legs. The overflow edge or lip shall be rounded and designed to provide a handhold for bathers. The overflow outlets shall be provided with outlet pipes which shall in any case be at least two inches in diameter. The outlet fittings shall have a clear opening in the grating at least equal to 11/2 times the cross-sectional area of the outlet pipe.

Nothing in this section shall preclude the use of rollout- or deck-level-type swimming pools. Such designs shall conform to the general provisions relating to overflow rates. The design of the curb and handhold shall conform to accepted standards, and approval shall be based on detailed review of this feature of construction and evaluated in the light of the proposed use of the pool.

(4)

Skimmers are acceptable in lieu of overflow gutters on swimming pools containing 1,600 square feet or less of water surface area, provided that handholds are installed and sufficient motion to the pool water is induced by the pressure return inlets. At least one skimming device shall be provided for each 400 square feet of water surface area or fraction thereof. The skimmers shall be designed to continuously remove 100% of the recirculated water and return it to the filter. Where two or more skimmers are required, they shall be so located as to minimize interference with each other and be located as far apart as possible to prevent short-circuiting to ensure proper skimming of the entire pool surface. Equalizer lines shall be provided on all skimmers.

§ 53-7 Electrical requirements.

All new electrical wiring shall conform to the latest edition of the National Electrical Code of the National Fire Protection Association and applicable state and local building codes.

Each underwater light shall be individually grounded by means of a proper ground wire screwed or bolted in connection to the metal junction box from which the branch circuit to the individual light proceeds. Such junction boxes shall not be located in the swimming pool deck within four feet of the pool wall.

No overhead electrical wiring shall pass within 20 feet horizontally of the swimming pool.

Ground fault circuit interupters shall be provided on all new pools, in accordance with the latest edition of the National Electrical Code, for all lighting and other electrical circuits in the area of the pool. These devices may be required in an existing pool when the permit-issuing official determines it is necessary to protect the safety of the bather.

Illumination level in indoor pools shall be designed to provide 50 footcandles' intensity over the pool and shall be so designed to limit glare and excessive specular reflections.

§ 53-8 Backflow protection; water supply.

All portions of the water distribution system serving the swimming pool and auxiliary facilities shall be protected against backflow. Water introduced into the pool, either directly or to the recirculation system, shall be supplied through an air gap. When such connections are not possible, the supply shall be protected by an approved backflow preventer installed on the discharge side of the last control valve to the fixture, device or appurtenance.

The water supply serving the swimming pool and all plumbing fixtures, including drinking fountains, lavatories and showers, shall, after treatment, meet the applicable requirements of New York State law and/or rules and regulations.

§ 53-9 Decks and drains.

All drainage from an artificial swimming pool structure to a sewer receiving sewage or other wastewater shall be discharged into said sewer in such a manner that sewage cannot be siphoned, flooded or otherwise discharged into the swimming pool.

A continuous clear deck at least five feet wide shall extend completely around the swimming pool or its appurtenances. The deck shall have an impervious nonslip surface and be sloped to deck drains or trenches at a grade of 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch per linear foot for the first five feet of clear deck from the end of the coping. Carpeting shall not be used on decks or in shower rooms. Deck drains shall be provided on all indoor pools. Decks, rest room floors and walkways shall be kept free of puddling and clean at all times.

Any swimming pool drain, gutter drain or overflow from the recirculation system when discharged to the sewer system or storm drain shall connect through a suitable air gap so as to preclude the possibility of backup of sewage or wastewater into the swimming pool piping system.

§ 53-10 Dressing rooms.

Dressing rooms provided at swimming pools and bathing beaches shall be sanitary and adequate. The State Commissioner of Health and/or the permit-issuing official shall have the authority to prescribe when dressing rooms shall be provided at any swimming pool or bathing beach. Dressing rooms and facilities should be designed for each sex and constructed to be easily cleaned, to require minimum maintenance and to be of sufficient size to properly handle the population loads. They shall have impervious floors of smooth, nonslip construction which shall be sloped 1/4 inch per linear foot to floor drains to facilitate washing down. All rooms and dressing cubicles shall be properly ventilated to minimize dampness, and all benches shall be of smooth and washable material.

§ 53-11 Shower facilities.

Adequate shower facilities shall be provided at artificial swimming pools and bathing beaches unless exempted by the State Commissioner of Health and/or the permit-issuing official. When such facilities are provided, they shall be maintained and operated to the satisfaction of the permit-issuing official. Facilities shall be constructed to provide for easy cleaning and minimum maintenance. Where showers are provided at bathing beaches or pools, they shall have impervious floors of smooth nonslip construction which shall be sloped at least 1/4 inch per linear foot to floor drains to facilitate washing down. Hot water temperature shall be maintained between 90° and 110° F. to prevent scalding and encourage usage, and a minimum of three gallons per minute per shower shall be provided. If shower curtains are used, they shall be of plastic or other impervious material and shall be kept clean. Heavy duty wall-mounted soap dispensers shall be provided at each individual shower stall or at a rate of one dispenser per two shower heads in a common shower room containing more than one shower head. Common use of bar soap shall not be permitted.

§ 53-12 Toilet facilities.

It shall be the duty of the owner, lessee or any other person maintaining any bathing establishment of any kind to provide separate toilet rooms with water closets properly provided with sanitary plumbing constructed in a manner approved by the local Board of Health of the health district wherein the bathing establishment is located and/or the permit-issuing official of the Town of Mamakating and in such a way as not to contaminate the waters used by the bathers and to thoroughly wash and disinfect, or cause to be thoroughly washed and disinfected, in a manner approved by said Board of Health and/or permit-issuing official, all bathing suits that have been hired or used before rehiring or permitting the use of the same again.

Sanitary toilet facilities, adequate and conveniently accessible, shall be available for each sex utilizing any swimming pool or bathing beach.

One toilet for each 20 female bathers shall be provided. However, a minimum of two toilets for female bathers shall be provided at every facility.

One toilet and urinal shall be installed for every 30 male bathers. In new construction, all urinals shall be wall mounted.

One lavatory shall be provided for each 60 bathers.

Soap and paper towels or electrical hand-drying units shall be supplied. Common use of bar soap shall not be permitted.

Partitions between toilets and in dressing rooms shall be at least four inches off the floor and constructed of impervious, easily cleanable material.

Toilet rooms shall be adequately ventilated.

Suitable waste receptacles shall be provided in all toilet rooms.

Suitable sanitary napkin receptacles shall be provided in all female toilet rooms.

The sewage or excreta from toilet facilities provided in the vicinity of any swimming pool or bathing beach shall be disposed of in a manner satisfactory to the permit-issuing official to avoid pollution of the water used for bathing and to avoid the creation of unsanitary conditions at or in the vicinity of such swimming pool or bathing beach.

§ 53-13 Fencing.

Artificial swimming pools shall be protected by a fence, wall, building, enclosure or solid wall of durable material. Such artificial barriers shall be constructed so as to afford no external handholds or footholds, to be at least four feet in height so that a small child cannot grasp its top by jumping or reaching, and to be equipped with a self-closing and positive self-latching closure mechanism at a height above the reach of small children and provided with a suitable locking mechanism.

§ 53-14 Drinking fountains.

All drinking fountains provided at beaches and pools shall have adequate water pressure and be of sanitary design and construction acceptable to the permit-issuing official.

§ 53-15 Refuse disposal.

Adequate and sanitary facilities shall be provided and maintained for the storage and disposal of garbage and refuse. Sanitary methods shall be used for the collection, temporary storage, handling and disposal of garbage and refuse.

§ 53-16 Food service.

[Amended 10-4-1990 by L.L. No. 7-1990]

Where provision is made for serving food and/or beverages at the beach or pool, no containers of glass or other material which might cause a hazard to bathers shall be used. The pool facility shall be so arranged and posted to permit the consumption of food and beverages only in a specified area. Any food service area shall comply with Part 14 of the State Sanitary Code and applicable local sanitary code requirements. Any food service area shall comply with applicable New York State law, rules and/or regulations and applicable local sanitary code requirements.

§ 53-17 Water quality.

General provisions.

Collection of samples. The State Commissioner of Health and/or the permit-issuing official shall prescribe when samples of water shall be subjected to bacteriological examination to determine the sanitary quality of water in any artificial swimming pool, partly artificial swimming pool or bathing beach and what series of samples of water shall be collected in each instance.

Analytical methods. Samples collected from swimming pools and bathing beaches shall be examined in accordance with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Waste and Wastewater of the American Public Health Association by a laboratory approved for the purpose by the State Commissioner of Health. Samples of water submitted to such laboratories shall be accompanied by all pertinent data relative to the operation of the pool or bathing beach to indicate the conditions prevailing at the time of the collection of samples.

Specific standards.

Artificial swimming pools.

(a)

Collection of samples. Samples of water for bacteriological examination shall be collected while the swimming pool is in use at a point near the outlet of the swimming pool and at such additional sampling points as may be selected to indicate the quality of the water being maintained throughout the swimming pool and to furnish information as to the effectiveness of chemical treatment of the water in the swimming pool. Samples of chlorinated water collected from a swimming pool shall be subject to bacteriological examination within 30 hours of the time of collection, and such samples shall be dechlorinated when collected before being transported for examination elsewhere.

(b)

Bacteriological quality. Not more than 15% of a series of seven or more samples or not any sample in a series of six or fewer collected from an artificial swimming pool in any one month shall show either the presence of bacteria of the coliform group in any of the five ten-milliliter portions examined or more than 1.0 coliform organisms per 50 milliliters when the membrane filter test is used or contain more than 200 bacteria per milliliter.

(c)

Chemical quality. The water in an artificial swimming pool shall be maintained at all times in such an alkaline condition that the pH value of the water in the pool shall be between 7.2 and 8.2.

(d)

Cleanliness. The bottom and side walls of artificial swimming pools shall be kept free from sediment and visible dirt. Visible scum or floating matter on the surfaces of such pools shall be removed at least once each day. The water in an artificial swimming pool while in use shall be sufficiently clear to permit a white and black object four inches in diameter, placed on the bottom of the swimming pool at the deepest point, to be clearly visible from the sides of the swimming pool.

Partly artificial pools. When an investigation by the State Commissioner of Health or by the permit-issuing official shows that the water entering a partially artificial pool is so polluted or so subject to pollution as to constitute a potential hazard to the health of the bathers, such entering water shall be treated effectively in a manner approved by the State Commissioner of Health or by the permit-issuing official. Partly artificial pools shall be provided with effective disinfection; however, the permit-issuing official may waive the requirement for disinfection where sufficient water flow of satisfactory sanitary quality is available to replace the water four or more times in 24 hours. All pool water shall meet the requirements for bacteriological quality and clarity set forth above for artificial pools.

Bathing beaches.

(a)

No bathing beach shall be maintained or operated on a natural body of water when such water is determined by the State Commissioner of Health or by the permit-issuing official to be so polluted or so subject to pollution as to constitute a potential hazard to health if used for bathing.

(b)

Collection of samples. Samples of water from bathing beaches shall be collected along the safety line within the area utilized for bathing during the bathing period, and such additional samples shall be collected from the sources of water surrounding the beach so as to indicate the sanitary quality of the water likely to affect bathers.

(c)

Bacteriological quality. The total number of organisms of the coliform group shall not exceed a logarithmic mean of 2,400 per 100 milliliters for a series of five or more samples in any thirty-day period, nor shall 20% of total samples during the period exceed 5,000 per 100 milliliters. When the above-prescribed standards are exceeded, the permit-issuing official shall cause an investigation to be made to determine and eliminate the source or sources of pollution.

(d)

Acidity. The pH shall be within the range of 6.5 to 8.3, except when due to natural causes and in no case shall it be less than 5.0 nor more than 9.0.

§ 53-18 Filtration.

A recirculation system consisting of pumps, piping, filters, water conditioning and disinfection equipment and other accessory equipment shall clarify and disinfect the swimming pool volume of water in eight hours. The recirculation rate shall be a six-hour turnover for new swimming pools.

Sand-type filters. The following requirements are equally applicable to both gravity and pressure sand-type filters: pressure sand-type filters shall be designed for a filter rate of three gallons per minute per square foot of filter area at time of maximum head loss with sufficient area to meet the design rate of flow required by the prescribed turnover. Higher filtration rates up to 15 gallons per minute per square foot may be accepted for limited use pools or small motel or similar type installations where acceptable to the permit-issuing official.

Diatomaceous-earth-type filters. The design rate of filtration shall not be greater than two gallons per minute per square foot. The filter and all component parts shall be of such materials, design and construction to withstand normal continuous use without significant deformation, deterioration, corrosion or wear which could adversely affect filter operation.

§ 53-19 Disinfection.

Disinfection with chlorine. When the disinfection of the water in a swimming pool is by chlorination secured through the use of chlorine, calcium hypochlorite or sodium hypochlorite, the dose of chlorine or chlorine compound added shall be sufficient to secure a concentration of at least 0.6 milligram per liter free residual chlorine or at least 1.2 milligrams per liter combined residual chlorine or the sum of free residual chlorine plus combined residual chlorine of at least 1.2 milligrams per liter in all portions of the swimming pool throughout each bathing period where the pH is maintained between 7.2 and 7.8. When the water in a swimming pool to be disinfected with chlorine has a pH value between 7.8 and 8.2, a free residual chlorine of at least 1.5 milligrams per liter shall be maintained in the water throughout the bathing period. The chilled orthotolidine-arsenite test, DPD ferrous titrimetric test, leuco crystal violet test or an equivalent test approved by the State Commissioner of Health or the permit-issuing official shall be made at the beginning, during and at the end of each day that the swimming pool is in use to determine the concentration of free residual chlorine and combined residual chlorine in the water. All chlorine shall be added to the pool water by positive displacement equipment.

Handling of chlorine gas. At all swimming pools where chlorine gas is used as a disinfectant, the chlorinators and any cylinders containing chlorine gas used therewith shall be housed in an enclosure separated from other equipment rooms, including the swimming pool, corridors, dressing rooms and other space used by the bathers, by a tight partition wall or by a tight partition wall with a door so installed as to prevent gas leakage and equipped with an inspection window. Chlorine cylinders shall be secured from falling, and cylinders in use shall be secured on a suitable platform scale. A separate vent opening to the exterior shall be provided. An electric motor-driven fan shall be provided taking suction from near the floor level of the enclosure and discharging at a suitable point to the exterior above the ground level. The switch for the operation of the motor of such fan shall be located at an accessible point outside of the enclosure where the switch will not be exposed to chlorine gas in the event of gas leakage. At least one gas mask in good operating condition and of a type approved by the United States Bureau of Mines as suitable for high concentrations of chlorine gas shall be kept outside the chlorinator room at a readily accessible point. Canisters shall be dated and be not more than six months old. All new pools using chlorine gas shall be equipped with a self-contained breathing apparatus. The person who operates such chlorinating equipment shall be familiar with the use of self-contained breathing apparatus or, where masks are used, with masks and canisters enclosed therewith, and he shall carry out exactly all the instructions furnished with them as to the testing and replacement of the canisters. Such additional precautions shall be taken in the handling and storage of chlorine gas at pools as may be required by the State Commissioner of Health or by the permit-issuing official, and all municipal regulations relating to the handling and storage of toxic gases shall be complied with.

Handling of calcium hypochlorite. At all pools where calcium hypochlorite is used, care must be taken to avoid possible fire and explosion hazards. A dry, aboveground, locked storage area shall be provided. All handling or mixing of the chemical shall be with extreme caution. Clean scoops of inert materials shall be used, and mixing must be by pouring the chemical into water and never by pouring water into the chemical.

Disinfection with bromine. Where bromine is used as the disinfectant, the following conditions shall be complied with:

The permit-issuing official shall approve use of bromine and the equipment provided for feeding on a continuous basis;

Positive feed equipment shall be provided for pH control, and the pH will be kept between 7.0 and 7.4;