Title 18 . Environmental Conservation

Chapter 30 . Administrative Enforcement

Section 545. Operation

18 AAC 30.545. Operation

(a) No pool may operate without plan review and approval and a pre-occupancy inspection as specified in 18 AAC 30.950 to confirm compliance with 18 AAC 30.500 - 18 AAC 30.590.

(b) Pools and fixtures must be kept in a sanitary condition when the pool is open to bathers. Premises must be kept in good repair, well drained, and free from roaches, flies, rodents, and other pests or conditions likely to attract or harbor these pests. If pests are discovered in the pool or in the premises of the pool, the department will, in its discretion, require a facility operator to secure pest control services from an operator certified under 18 AAC 90.

(c) Pool surfaces, including side walls, bottoms, gutters, and components, must be kept clean and in good repair.

(d) Appropriate test equipment in good repair, with necessary reagents, must be used to measure pool water pH, free and combined disinfectants, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, and hardness. Test kits must meet the minimum range and accuracy as set out on Table D of this section.

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TABLE D TEST KIT REQUIREMENTS MINIMUM MINIMUM CHEMICAL TEST RANGE ACCURACY Free available chlorine 0.3 - 5.0 mg/l 0.2 mg/l Total chlorine 0.3 - 5.0 mg/l 0.2 mg/l Total bromine 0.3 - 6.0 mg/l 0.2 mg/l pH 7.0 - 8.2 0.2 ph units Alkalinity 0 - 300 mg/l 5 mg/l Total dissolved solids 0 - 3,000 mg/l 50 mg/l Hardness 0 - 1,000 mg/l 2 mg/l

Note: 1 mg/l = 1 ppm

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(e) Pools must be operated by persons familiar with the equipment, fixtures, pool water chemistry, and maintenance procedures. Pools and spas must have at least one operator who is certified, or will be certified within one year of that operator's date of employment, by the National Swimming Pool Foundation or an equivalent certification program as determined by the department.

(f) To ensure proper installation, operation, and maintenance, a pool operation manual must be available at the site of the pool. The manual must include

(1) instructions for the care of each filter, pump, and other pool equipment;

(2) drawings, illustrations, charts, and operating instructions;

(3) a parts list; and

(4) information on all chemicals used in pool operation.

(g) The following information must be recorded for each day that the pool is open to the public:

(1) the hours of operation;

(2) the length of time that the pumps and filters are in operation, and the rate of pressure, vacuum, and rate-of-flow readings;

(3) the date that each filter is backwashed or cleaned;

(4) the frequency and results of alkalinity and hardness tests;

(5) the frequency and results of pH and disinfectant tests; pH and disinfectant tests must be made two or more times daily, depending upon chlorine demand;

(6) the amount of water and chemicals added to maintain water quality; and

(7) any equipment failure or repair required while the pool is in operation.

(h) The department will, in its discretion, require copies of the records listed in (g) of this section to be submitted to the department, upon the request of the department.

(i) Water clarity must permit a one-inch black disk on a three-inch white field to be clearly visible on the bottom of the pool at the deepest point. If the test disk cannot be seen, the pool must be closed immediately until the disk can be seen. If the disk is still not visible 48 hours after closure, the department will, in its discretion, order the pool drained as a safety precaution.

History: Eff. 6/4/83, Register 86; am 12/23/93, Register 128

Authority: AS 44.46.020