Swimming pools are a lot of fun and can be a great place to hang out with friends and family. But to keep everyone safe and healthy, there are rules that need to be followed. In Hawaii, there are specific laws about how public swimming pools should be built, operated, and maintained. These rules, to include the Hawaii CPO Certification Requirement, help make sure that everyone who uses the pool is safe from accidents and illnesses.
Overview of the Rules
In 2002, Hawaii updated its rules for public swimming pools. These rules, found in Chapter 11-10 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules, tell us how to build, run, and take care of public swimming pools to keep them safe. These rules are important for any pool that the public can use, like those at schools, community centers, or hotels. However, they don’t apply to pools at private homes, decorative ponds, or natural beach areas.
What the Rules Cover
The rules cover many different parts of public swimming pools, such as:
- How pools should be designed and built
- How the water quality should be checked and maintained
- What needs to be done to keep the pool clean and safe
- How to apply for a permit to operate a pool
- What happens if the rules aren’t followed
Designing and Building Pools
Before a new public swimming pool can be built, or an old one can be renovated, the plans must be made by a licensed architect or engineer. These professionals need special training to make sure that the pool will be safe and meet all the health requirements.
Training for Architects and Engineers
Architects and engineers who design pools must go to college and get a degree in their field. After that, they have to pass exams to become licensed to work in Hawaii. They also need to keep learning about new developments in pool safety and construction, which means taking more courses and attending workshops even after they start working.
Getting a Permit to Operate a Pool
Once a pool is built, the people who run it need to get a special permission called a “permit” from the Department of Health. This permit shows that the pool meets all the safety and health rules and is safe to use. The permit lasts for five years, but to keep it, the pool has to be maintained properly.
Hawaii CPO Certification Requirement
Pool operators are the people who take care of the pool every day. They need to know a lot about how to keep the pool clean, how to test the water to make sure it’s safe, and how to handle emergencies, like if someone gets hurt or if there’s a chemical spill. To learn all this, pool operators usually take a special course called the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) course. Register for a CPO Certification class that meets the Hawaii Public Pool code here: Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants – Get Certified with Pool Expert Rudy Stankowitz (cpoclass.com)
In this course, they learn:
- How to test the water for things like pH and chlorine levels
- How to add chemicals safely to the water
- How to clean the pool and its equipment
- How to handle emergencies
After taking the course, pool operators have to pass a test to show that they know how to keep the pool safe.
Keeping the Water Safe
One of the most important parts of the rules is about keeping the pool water clean and safe to swim in. The water needs to be tested regularly to make sure it’s not too acidic or too basic (which is measured by pH), and that there’s enough chlorine to kill harmful germs.
Training in Water Quality
To make sure the water is safe, pool operators need to be trained in how to test the water and adjust the chemicals. This includes learning:
- How to use testing kits to check the water’s pH and chlorine levels
- How to safely handle and add chemicals to the pool
- What to do if the water isn’t safe, like closing the pool until it’s fixed
What Happens If the Rules Aren’t Followed
If a pool isn’t being operated safely, the Department of Health can take away the pool’s permit, which means the pool has to close until it meets the rules again. This can happen if the water isn’t safe, if the pool isn’t being cleaned properly, or if the people in charge aren’t following the rules.
Emergency Training
To prevent problems, pool operators need to be trained in how to handle emergencies. This includes knowing how to clean up spills, how to fix broken equipment, and what to do if someone gets sick or injured at the pool.
Special Permissions (Variances)
Sometimes, a pool might need to do something a little different because of special circumstances. In these cases, the pool operators can ask for a “variance,” which is special permission to follow a different set of rules. However, they have to prove that the different way they want to do things will still keep the pool safe.
Training in Rules and Laws
Understanding when and how to ask for a variance requires knowledge of the laws and rules that apply to public swimming pools. Pool managers need to be trained in these laws so they can make sure the pool is always following the right rules.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Public swimming pools need to be kept very clean to make sure they are safe for everyone to use. This includes cleaning the pool itself, as well as the locker rooms, bathrooms, and all other areas where people might go.
Training in Cleaning and Maintenance
People who clean and maintain pools need to know the right way to do it. They should be trained in:
- How to remove dirt, scum, and other debris from the pool
- How to clean surfaces to remove bacteria
- How to handle cleaning chemicals safely
This training helps prevent accidents and ensures that the pool stays a healthy place to swim.
Record Keeping and Reporting
Pool operators need to keep detailed records of how the pool is being maintained. This includes records of water tests, chemical usage, and any accidents that happen at the pool. These records need to be kept for at least a year and should be available for review by the Department of Health.
Training in Record Keeping
Good record keeping is important for running a pool. Pool operators should be trained in how to keep track of everything that happens at the pool, how to fill out daily logs, and how to report any problems to the Department of Health.
Pool Rules and Safety
Pool operators need to enforce certain rules to keep the pool safe. These rules include things like making sure everyone showers before entering the pool, not allowing sick people to swim, and dealing with accidents like someone getting sick in the pool.
Training in Rule Enforcement
Enforcing rules can be challenging, so pool operators need training in how to communicate with the public, how to handle conflicts, and how to explain why the rules are important for everyone’s safety.
Hawaii’s rules for public swimming pools are designed to keep everyone safe and healthy. To follow these rules, the people who design, build, and operate pools need to have the right training and certifications. This training helps ensure that pools are clean, the water is safe, and everyone who uses the pool has a great time without any risks. By understanding and following these rules, pool operators can make sure their pools are safe places for everyone to enjoy.
