Swimming Pools and Fountains

Everyday and weekly maintenance of a swimming pool or an interior or exterior fountain and surrounding area is not usually a difficult task, provided the staff clearly understands and accomplishes the routine duties of cleaning, water testing, and safety.

However, the property manager should consult with pool professionals for repairs to equipment and pool or fountain where a hazard may be present. Pumps, underwater lights, and certain heaters carry live voltage, and that hazard can be fatal. Additionally, pool heaters emit potentially fatal carbon monoxide. Repairs to gas heaters can be dangerously explosive.

Fountain pumps can become clogged with leaves and algae. Pits at the bottom of decorative waterfalls and fountains often found in shopping malls can be deathtraps for workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns. The agency issued a hazard information bulletin to its compliance officers alerting them to the asphyxiation risk posed by the pits. Pits house the control valves for the water fountains and falls. Workers entering the pits may be overcome if the atmosphere is deficient in oxygen.

Pool Safety

Most accidents involving drowning or severe injury occur to children under five years of age who are unsupervised, cannot swim, and fall into a pool or pool cover with water on top of it.
The second largest number of accidents involves teenagers, primarily males. Alcohol is often involved.
Some safety information and interesting statistics from the National Spa & Pool Institute (http://www.nspi.org) follows. These items are worth reviewing with staff and including on-site inspections. Most municipalities have laws that include rules and require inspections.

• Drowning and swimming accidents are best prevented by
• Adult supervision
• Public awareness programs that include water safety training for young children
• Not drinking alcohol while swimming, diving, or soaking
• Pool and spa areas should have permanent barriers to entry. Local ordinances specify types of fences, fence heights, etc. The gate should be locked when the pool is not in use. Do not place chairs or tables near fences where they can allow a child to climb over and enter the pool area.
• NSPI recommends using several approaches to safety and publishes a pamphlet entitled “Layers of Protection.” The pamphlet discusses fences, door exit alarms, infrared detectors, security cameras, etc.
• Always have rescue equipment, such as ring buoys and reaching poles as well as a first aid kit, around the pool.
• Always remove a pool or spa cover completely before using the pool or spa. Do not let standing water remain on pool covers.
• A telephone and list of emergency telephone numbers should be near the pool.

Storing Pool Chemicals

Staff members must handle pool chemicals carefully and cautiously. Poisonous and deadly gases emit from the chemicals themselves and during reactions with other chemicals (including water). People’s eyes, throats, and skin can be seriously injured.

• Store chemicals in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
• Use a locked entry to the storage area.
• Keep pool and spa chemicals separate from each other and from other chemicals. Violent reactions such as explosions, fire or noxious gas production can occur when incompatible chemicals contact each other.
• Do not stack chemical containers on top of one another.
• Replace lids and caps firmly and immediately after use.
• Post MSDS sheets and emergency phone numbers near storage areas.

Using Pool Chemicals

• Read the instructions and follow directions. If the label is faded or torn, don’t guess what it is. Return it to the dealer.
• Add chemicals to the pool. Never add pool water to the chemicals.
• Wear safety glasses when handling chemicals. Depending on the task, this may include using a breathing respirator, face shield, gloves, and apron.
• Never mix chemicals together. At the least, mixing chemicals may cause a water problem, but it may endanger a life or lives. Always use clean buckets and scoops designated for each chemical. Using the same bucket or scoop for everything can mix the chemicals.
• Dispose of wastes and spills properly. Immediately clean up chemical spills. If a violent reaction occurs, contact the fire department for instructions.
• When sweeping up a dry chemical, avoid breathing the dust. Do not place floor sweepings back in the original container. Any foreign substance such as dust, dirt, and/or water can cause a reaction inside the container.
• Do not use a vacuum cleaner or shop vac to clean up spilled chemicals. For liquid spills, soak up the chemical with clean, absorbent materials and place inside a clean plastic or plastic-lined container. Flush the spill area with large amounts of water.
• Never smoke around chemicals. Fire or explosion could result.
• Use ONLY water-filled fire extinguishers on a chlorine chemical fire. Never use a dry chemical extinguisher.