Aquatic Facilities

Section IV Part 2

Types of Aquatic Facilities1) Competition outdoor Pool 2) Competition Indoor Pool 3) Neighborhood Pool

Types of Aquatic Facilities4) Water Parks (Aquatic Facilities of the Future)WATER SLIDES, RIVER INTER-TUBE RIDES, SHALLOW SPLASH AREAS, WATER CANNONS, ISLANDS AND WATER GADGETS

Splash Pads- New Facility Concept

Cost of Splash Pads?

More than you think!

$150K (Very Small) and Up

Most are $250K and Up

BREC Aquatics PlanSplash PadBREC Aquatics PlanSplash Pad

400 SF Pool Mechanical

1,800 SF Splash Pad Multiple Spray

Features 4,572 SF Pool Deck

2 Shade Structures Fencing & Lighting $400,000 - $500,000 Average Annual

Attendance 1,000 to 10,000

Bahama Beach Water ParkCity of Dallas, Texas

Entry Buildings / Offices

600 ft. lazy river/lagoons

Zero depth beach entry

Family slide / Mat racer slides

Large Children’s Play Area

Shade Structures

$6.5 - 7.5 Million

Average Annual Attendance100,000 to 200,000

Master Plan Construction Timeline-Start to Finish

Design 30-45 Days

Construction 150-180 Days

Total Project 6-8 Months

Aquatic Facility Design

Aquatic Facility Amenities(Parts of a Pool)

1) General Pool Shell (vinyl liners or concrete) Lifeguard Stands Ladders Diving Boards (towers) Water Slides Skimmers & Gutter Systems Pool lights Main Drain Anti-vortex cover

Aquatic Facility Amenities(Parts of a Pool)

2) Systematic Filtration units Chemical feeder pumps Pool Pumps (generic) Flow Meters Chlorine tanks Electronic Vacuums (“Ultra Max”)

The Aquatic Facility Manager or The Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO)

Must know that……… Swimming Pools operate as a “system” Operation of a swimming pool is the result of a

balance among all the components of this system. The system includes pumps, plumbing, filter

systems, automated units etc.. The ideal AFO, is part-time engineer, plumber,

hydraulic expert, a good mechanic, a competent electrician, risk manager, amateur attorney, legal advisor, and successful purchasing agent.

The Quality AFO

The efficient and effective operation of a pool is dependant on operator decisions pertaining to:

- the condition of filters

- the condition of pipes

- maintaining proper water balance

- adhering to Health Department and

State Code Regulations

Qualities of a Healthy Pool

I. Safety The number 1 quality. Pool patrons think far less

about safety than designers and contractors. From a litigation standpoint, the following areas propose the greatest concerns for the AFO:

a) shallow-end pool depth b) floor contour c) depth markings d) diving boards e) slides and water features

Qualities of a Healthy Pool

II. Water Clarity Today’s swimming-pool standards are extremely

high – as much as 50% greater than your typical clarity for most municipal drinking water

“Cloudy water” is often the most baffling water problem confronting an AFO.

“Murkiness” can be caused by a number of filter problems including:

- too much chlorine - too much acid - bad paint

Pool Facility Maintenance

Clean pool shells, deck, bathhouse, and offices Make sure safety equipment is in place and working Test all deck equipment including ladders, diving

boards, and lifeguard towers Establish chemical delivery dates Prepare surrounding grounds (mow/litter) Update employee manuals and S.O.P and include

facility checklists

Aquatic Facility Certifications

When choosing a position in the field of aquatic management, there are two primary certifications to obtain in order to enhance your creditability and marketability:

1) Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO)

General / managerial approach

2) Certified Pool Operator (CFO)

Specialized / focusing in on the mechanical

aspects of pools pumps

Pool State Codes & Regulations

Aquatic Facility Operators must be certified prior to managing aquatic facilities and/or aquatic programs.

The primary data studied during this 3-day course pertains to nationally recognized Aquatic Codes and Standards.

These standards have a range of parameters based on a particular code and the range is determined on a state by state basis. So while there are “Nationally” recognized standards, each state has the latitude to place minimum or maximum regulations within the parameters provided by the national standards.

The local Aquatic Codes and Standards are referred to as Pool State Codes.

Role of the local Health Department

The evaluation of meeting and adhering to pool state codes falls under the responsibility of the local Health Department of each city.

Prior to each pool season, Health Department representatives will inspect the facility or facilities to determine compliance with pool standards as well as other health related standards (i.e. – sales of food and beverages)

When a pool facility passes the pre-season Health Department inspection, that particular pool facility is then issued an operational permit.

During the course of an aquatic season, Health Department officials will also conduct inspections both planned and unannounced to ensure compliance.

Pool State Codes

Pool State Code Regulations entail a very extensive and diverse set of standards. The 6 major sections include:

1) Aquatic Facility Design 2) Aquatic Facility Safety 3) Water Treatment 4) Safety Equipment 5) Administrative Standards 6) Environmental Considerations

Step 1: Designing an Aquatic Facility(S.F.C. – Round 1 Question)

Designing an aquatic facility entails a 10-step process: 1) Community (customer) needs assessment2) Planning- needs & demand analysis of use patterns,

demographic profiles, and determining financing options to build the pool facility

3) Program considerations or “architectural programming” by the AFO to the pool engineers and architects providing information on water depth, user group analysis, pool lighting, specialty groups (swim teams and swim meets), playground amenities..etc..

Step 1- Designing an Aquatic Facility

4) Site Design – If the AFO or his/her immediate staff lacks the necessary expertise to formulate the design and engineering work for a new facility, then selecting an architectural or consulting design firm is imperative. The best way to execute this process is to use a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP).

5) Public Education- By holding public meetings and posting construction documents (blueprints) along with a timeline of facility completion.

Step 1 -Designing an Aquatic Facility

6) Bid Process – A process of advertising your proposal to companies who specialize in building an aquatic facility. The bid process allows the SFM organization to weed out high cost companies.

7) Award the Contract – By using an extensive process as guided by your organizational lawyers instructing the contractor of deadline dates etc.

8) Monitoring the Contract – Through site visits and supervisory reports, and documentation of results.

9) Inspection and Acceptance – Final approval by the AFO and executive managers that the facility is ready to be used.

10) Facility Dedication Opening- Grand opening ceremony for your customers.

2) Aquatic Facility Safety

1) The purpose of pool barriers or enclosures (aka-chain link fencing) can be based on keeping live beings from entering the area which includes a total of five: a) spectators b) non-patrons c) unauthorized persons d) visitors and e) domestic animals. In addition, pool barriers must NOT have a gap of more than 4 inches at the bottom and must equal a height of 6 feet.

2) There are certain pool shell colors which are allowed by each state. The two primary colors include white and blue.

3) Depth Markers and Deck Signage – is required by every state and has a specific set of standards such as warning signs depicted by pictures and symbols

2) Aquatic Facility Safety(S.F.C.- Question Round #1)

Every state mandates posting of pool rules at the entrance of each facility. Six of the main rules include:

1) Every patron must shower prior to entering the pool

2) Apparel requirements- (cutoffs/t-shirs)3) No glass containers4) No alcohol & drugs5) No animals6) No entering the pool area with open cuts or lesions

3. Water Treatment

1) Water treatment pertains to the clarity of pool water. Generally, if pools managers are unable to clearly see the bottom of the pool (pool drains for concrete pool shells) the pool should be closed. Many states use a one inch disk at the bottom of the pool as a tool for pool clarity evaluation.

2) Chlorine levels should be at least 1.0 to 3.0 ppm (Parts Per Million) and pH levels at 7.2 to 7.8

3) Another water treatment procedure to maintain proper water chemistry includes supercholrination – a process of raising the chlorine residual by 10-fold

4) Every state now requires each pool facility to have a “fecal policy”. Which pertains to closing procedures when an “accident” happens in a pool.

4. Safety Equipment (S.F.C. Question Round 1)

Pool State Codes require the following: a) First aid kitsb) Blanketsc) Shepherds crookd) Ring buoye) Rescue tubesf) Backboardsg) Working telephone

5. Administrative Standards

Pool State Codes require: a) Operation manuals (general rules and pump room

procedures)b) Uniforms of lifeguards (matching)c) LG Certification requirementsd) LG to patron ratios ( Texas is officially based on

pool square footage between LG stations but this figure basically translates into approx 1 lifeguard for every 69 pool patrons.

6. Environmental Considerations

The main focus pertains to bad weather conditions and particularly lightning.

Each pool must have a “weather radio” and/or “lighting detector”. Each organization has standards closing pools pertaining to lighting within 1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles..closes a pool

Beyond the above instruments used, the general rule is to suspend pool activities until thirty minutes after the last thunder is heard