Rule Change

Notice:

Recent amendments to the N.C. Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools require all public swimming pools with single drains to provide additional protection from suction drain entrapment as of April 1, 2006. Those pools are required either to install an additional drain or an anti-entrapment drain cover on the drain and a safety vacuum-release system on the pipe from the drain to the pump.

Environmental Health Specialists need to inventory which pools will be affected and notify the pool owners or operators of what is required during this pool season.

Many questions have been raised regarding what is required and how to meet those requirements. Brian Ferguson has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and the Pools, Tattoos and State Institutions Program staff have provided some answers to help communicate the new requirements. The file, located at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/quality/svrs_faq05.doc, provides the most frequent questions and answers.