A day in the life of a Florida public pool inspector
Little Things in Florida Public Pool Code that Pool Techs Should Know By Lauren Broom
The Florida public pool codes have some rules that are either misunderstood or overlooked by many pool techs. Some of these rules can result in a closure or unsatisfactory status on their inspection report. It benefits a pool tech to understand the “little things” that can cause unsavory inspection results from the Florida Department of Health pool inspector.
Do chemicals have to be NSF/ANSI Standard 60-2011 pool chemicals?
Yes, all chemicals used in Florida public pools have to meet this standard. Recently, a member of the Swimming Pool Industry Workers Facebook group asked about the usage of boric acid in a Florida public pool. The Florida code states that chemicals used in controlling the quality of the pool water shall be tested and approved using the NSF/ ANSI Standard 60-2011, Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals-Health Effects dated May 2011, which is incorporated by reference in the state rules and shall be compatible with other accepted chemicals used in the pool.
Do pool techs have to use approved pool test kits for water testing?
Yes, pool techs who test water in Florida public pools have to use approved test kits. What are approved test kits per Florida public pool code? The code states that test kits are required to be on the premises of all pools to determine free active chlorine and total chlorine using N,N-Diethylp- Phenylenediamine(DPD), or bromine level, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and pH.
Can I Use trichlor and dichlor in public spas or hot tubs?
No, the Florida Department of Health has not allowed the use of chlorinated isocyanurates on public
Boric acid on pool truck
spas and hot tubs since June 1, 2011. What does this mean? The addition of trichlor or dichlor in public spas and hot tubs would not be allowed. The choices left for pool techs to use for disinfection would be calcium hypochlorite, bromine, or sodium hypochlorite through approved disinfection feeders. In most of these cases, a pH-adjustment chemical feeder would also be required.
Is it required to test for cyanuric acid & record on chemical log on weekly basis?
The answer to this question is yes and no. If chlorinated isocyanurates are fed or added to the pool water, the test kits are required to test for cyanuric acid. The weekly testing and recording in maintenance logs for cyanuric acid is required when chlorinated isocyanurates (trichlor & dichlor) are used.
Is an electrical interlock required on liquid chemical feeders?
Yes, pool techs shall install liquid chemical feeders so that they are electrically interlocked with the pool recirculation pump. This is a safety measure to ensure that these liquid chemical feeders are not continuously pumping liquid chlorine and muriatic acid solutions into the return line with no water circulation. When these feeders pump these chemicals into empty lines, chlorine gas forms and can harm pool users and employees.
Do chemical storage tanks have to be labeled?
Yes, chemical storage tanks shall be labeled as to their contents. This violation would result in closure of the pool. This reduces the likelihood that a pool tech fill the wrong storage tank with the wrong chemical, which could cause health and safety issues such as formation of chlorine gas.
Is it required to have a cover on the pool vacuum line opening?
Yes, a pool tech shall maintain a vacuum line cover on the pool vacuum line opening when the line is not in use. This violation will result in closure of the pool if the cover is missing or in disrepair. The violation can create a very unsafe condition, especially if the vacuum pump is still operating with no cover on this line. The vacuum line is a direct suction line when the vacuum pump is operating. Even if the vacuum pump is turned off, with the vacuum cover missing, the vacuum line could allow small children to place their arms into the line and then get stuck inside the line. The child could eventually drown if they are not able to stay above the water surface.
Liquid chemical feeders
Damaged spring-loaded vacuum line cover
