By Lauren Broom What you need to know about pool & spa rule signs

Most pool techs might think that the pool rules sign requirements would be located in Chapter 64E-9, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) Actually, the sign requirements are found within section 454, Florida Building Code (F.B.C.)

Property managers will ask pool techs where the pool rules sign requirements are located and because there is not relevant training on public pools for this group, they largely rely on the knowledge of their pool tech for this information.

How can these rules signs be updated to meet the rule?

Public pool owners may create their own rules sign as long as their sign includes all the required rules in the Florida Building Code. Florida code compliant signs can be purchased on the internet. Owners can create a separate sign to meet any new requirements and post that new sign next to old sign.

Separate signs are allowed as long as the new rules do not negate the state-required rules. Owners can add any rules they want to pool rules sign as long as it does not conflict with the state-required rules.

What pool rules were updated and enforceable as of January 1, 2022?

Until recently, food and drinks have never been allowed on the pool wet deck. The pool wet deck is defined as four feet from the pool water edge. However, as of January 1, 2022, commercially bottled water is now allowed within the pool wet deck.

The maximum depth of the pool is another rule required on all pool rules signs as of January 1, 2022. It is required to be written on the pool rules sign in two-inch lettering. This rule is an added layer of safety for the pool patrons so that they have knowledge of the pool depth.

There are now many public pools being constructed in Florida with a popular design called a sun shelf (Baja shelf, tanning shelf, or tanning ledge). A sun shelf is a flat, shallow area in the pool, before the deep end.

Due to the increase in popularity of this option on pool construction, the

Lauren Broom

Lauren Broom is a Certified Pool Operator Course, CPO , instructor and a former health inspector for the Florida Department of Health. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and is a registered sanitarian.

She has 16-years of experience in commercial pool inspections and waterborne disease outbreak investigations.

Lauren lives in Palm Bay, Florida with her husband of 17 years and their 3 children. Lauren can be reached at spacecoastpoolschool@yahoo.com Florida Department of Health added a required rule on the pool rules sign. This new rule is specific to pools with a sun shelf. The following is the new required rule: “Warning: Drop off at sun shelf edge is X ft deep” (required to be written in 4-inch lettering).

What are the common violations that we should be aware of in regard to pool rules signs?

The following are some of the most common pool rules sign violations:

• Pool rules sign not posted within pool fenced in area.

• Pool rules sign not visible to pool patrons.

1. Rules sign cannot be obstructed by vegetation(landscaping) or pool furniture.

• Pool rules sign is missing any of the required pool rules located in section 454, F.B.C.

• Pool rules sign blanks not complete.

1. Example: pool hours/ bathing(pool) load.

2. Stickers, markers faded, or missing—this information should be checked regularly.