DHS 172.18(2)
(2) Except as specified under
sub. (3) water in a whirlpool, therapy pool, or exercise pool shall be tested for pH and disinfectant residual before the pool is open to the public or before the pool is in use and at least 4 times daily. For at least 2 of these times, the testing shall be done when the pool is in use. Water shall be tested at least once daily for combined chlorine, when chlorine is used, and at least weekly for total alkalinity.
DHS 172.18(3)
(3) Water in a pool that has a properly functioning electronic monitoring device installed to control pH and disinfectant residual shall be manually tested at least once a day for pH and disinfectant residual with an approved test kit as specified in
s. DHS 172.17. The operator shall continually monitor the device to determine if it meets operating criteria specified in
s. DHS 172.14 (5).
DHS 172.18 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.19
DHS 172.19 Water supply and temperature. DHS 172.19(1)(1)
Water supply protection. A minimum air–gap of 2 pipe diameters or 6 inches, whichever is less, shall exist between the potable water supply inlet and the overflow point of any pool, makeup tank, surge tank, solution tank, or slurry tank unless another department-approved backflow and backsiphonage prevention device is provided.
DHS 172.19(2)
(2) Water source. The water supplied to a pool shall be from a source approved by the department of natural resources under
ch. NR 108,
811 or
812.
DHS 172.19(3)
(3) Water level. Proper water level shall be maintained at all times when the pool is open. Water levels in pools with skimmers shall be maintained at a level such that the weir is half submerged. Pools designed with gutters shall have a continuous water supply over the gutter to provide effective skimming
DHS 172.19(4)(a)(a) An accurate thermometer shall be located in the pool water return line and shall be accessible for observation by the operator.
DHS 172.19(4)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
par. (d), the water temperature of an indoor pool shall be between 72°F. (22°C.) and 95°F. (35°C.). The minimum water temperature for an outdoor pool shall be 65°F. (18°C.).
DHS 172.19(4)(c)
(c) The water temperature in whirlpools may not exceed 104°F. (40°C.)
DHS 172.19(4)(d)
(d) Cold soak pools may be operated at a lower temperature than specified under
par. (b). The pool shall post the water temperature on signage as required under
s. DHS 172.29 (5).
DHS 172.19 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. (4) (b)
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.
DHS 172.20(1)(a)(a)
General requirement. Each pool shall be under the supervision of at least one operator, except that contiguous multiple pools operated under the same owner may be supervised by one operator.
DHS 172.20(1)(b)
(b)
Operator responsibilities. Each operator shall be responsible for pool operation and maintenance including equipment shutdown, backwashing, daily maintenance and vacuuming, and maintenance of water quality pursuant to
s. DHS 172.11.
DHS 172.20(2)(a)1.1. Each water attraction and water attraction complex shall be staffed by at least one certified water attraction operator by January 1, 2009. An owner of a water attraction or water attraction complex that first applies for a permit under
s. DHS 172.05 after January 1, 2009 shall be staffed by a certified water attraction operator within 90 days after receiving a permit to operate the water attraction or water attraction complex.
DHS 172.20(2)(a)2.
2. The owner of a water attraction or water attraction complex shall replace a certified water attraction operator within 90 days after a certified operator's departure.
DHS 172.20(2)(b)
(b)
Documentation of certification. Current certifications of certified water attraction operator staff shall be maintained at the water attraction and water attraction complex.
DHS 172.20 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.21(1)(1) Each pool shall be under the supervision of at least one responsible supervisor at all times when the pool is in use or is open to the public. The responsible supervisor shall be on the premises or available via a phone number posted by the emergency phone to respond to an unsafe or unsanitary condition at any time the pool is open for use. The responsible supervisor shall maintain order, ensure that safety equipment is in place, and enforce pool use regulations governing safety, sanitation and water testing.
DHS 172.21(2)
(2) The responsible supervisor shall have the authority to close the pool as necessary under
s. DHS 172.30.
DHS 172.21 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.22(1)(a)(a) The owner or operator of a pool, including a whirlpool over 4 feet deep and a pool with a visual obstruction, and the owner or operator of a water attraction or water attraction complex shall submit a written, proposed lifeguard and attendant staffing plan to the department or the department's agent for approval. The owner or operator shall keep a copy of the plan at the pool. The plan shall include all of the following:
DHS 172.22(1)(a)1.
1. The square footage of the pool, water attraction, and water attraction complex as applicable.
DHS 172.22(1)(a)6.
6. A diagram of the facility that indicates the placement of attendants, lifeguards, chairs and stations for both average and maximum patron capacity. The diagram shall include each obstruction.
DHS 172.22(1)(a)7.
7. A method of communication when 2 or more attendants or lifeguards are required for a water attraction.
DHS 172.22(1)(c)
(c) A pool that is not required under
s. DHS 172.23 to have a lifeguard shall post a sign that states, in letters that are a minimum of 4 inches high, "No Lifeguard on Duty".
DHS 172.22(1)(d)
(d) A plan required under
par. (a) for a whirlpool that is located in a water attraction complex shall specify that at least one attendant shall provide periodic supervision. If a whirlpool is not supervised by an attendant at all times, a sign shall be posted that states in letters at least 4 inches high: "Non-guarded area."
DHS 172.22 Note
Note: To submit a lifeguard and attendant staffing plan to the department or to determine which agent to submit a lifeguard and attendant staffing plan to, write or phone: Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, P.O. Box 2659, Madison, Wisconsin 53701-2659 (608-266-2835).
DHS 172.22(2)(a)(a) A copy of each lifeguarding certification, first aid certification, and CPR certification held by lifeguard staff shall be maintained at the pool and shall be made available for inspection by the department.
DHS 172.22(2)(b)
(b) At least one of the lifeguards required under
s. DHS 172.23 (1) to supervise a water attraction that has a surface area of 2,000 square feet or more and a water depth greater than 4 feet shall have one or more of the following additional certifications:
DHS 172.22(2)(b)3.
3. National Pool and Water park International Lifeguard Training Program certificate.
DHS 172.22(2)(c)
(c) Attendants may staff water attractions, waterslides, or pool slides to assist patrons. Attendants may not be used in place of lifeguards.
DHS 172.22(3)(a)(a) At all times when on duty a lifeguard shall wear clothing that is conspicuously marked "Lifeguard" or "Guard", a rescue tube with a harness as instructed in national certification courses, and a whistle.
DHS 172.22(3)(b)
(b) A lifeguard who is assigned to supervise a pool or water attraction may not be assigned duties that may distract the lifeguard's attention from observing a patron in the pool or water attraction area or that may hinder the lifeguard's ability to provide immediate assistance to a patron.
DHS 172.22 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. (2) (b) 1. and 3.
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.
DHS 172.23
DHS 172.23 Lifeguard and attendant placement and staffing requirements. DHS 172.23(1)(a)1.1. Each pool having a surface area of 2,000 square feet or more shall be staffed pursuant to Table DHS 172.23-A and Table DHS 172.23-B when the pool is in use or is open to the public. If the requirements in Table DHS 172.23-A and Table DHS 172.32-B conflict, the pool shall comply with the strictest requirements of Table DHS 172.23-A or Table DHS 172.23-B.
DHS 172.23(1)(a)2.
2. An operator may close a portion of a pool to patrons in order to meet the square footage limits in Table DHS 172.23-A for lifeguard staffing, except that lifeguard staffing requirements for a pool of 2,000 to 4,999 square feet shall be maintained.
DHS 172.23(1)(a)3.
3. When the patron load of a pool exceeds 336 patrons, one lifeguard shall be provided for each additional 100 patrons or fraction thereof.
DHS 172.23(1)(b)
(b) A pool type that is not addressed in Table DHS 172.23-A or DHS 172.23-B shall request evaluation by the department and follow the requirements specified by the department following the evaluation.
DHS 172.23(1)(c)
(c) An additional lifeguard shall be provided for every 2 slide flumes installed at a pool other than a separate waterslide plunge pool.
DHS 172.23(1)(d)
(d) An attendant responsible for enforcing waterslide usage rules shall be stationed at the entrance to the waterslide flume.
DHS 172.23 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. Table B
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; correction in Table B made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673.
DHS 172.24
DHS 172.24 Instructional programs. A pool that is used for instructional purposes shall be staffed by a lifeguard when the instructional program is in session. If the coach or instructor that provides instruction during the program is a lifeguard, the requirement of this subsection is met provided the coach or instructor can supervise the entire group. A pool that normally requires a lifeguard and that is open to the public during an instructional program session shall be supervised by an additional lifeguard or attendant pursuant to
s. DHS 172.23.
DHS 172.24 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.25(1)(1)
Water attractions. The maximum number of patrons permitted to be in an individual water attraction at any one time shall be calculated on the basis of allowing one patron for every 15 square feet of water surface area. The splash zone of any water attraction shall be included in the calculation of the water surface.
DHS 172.25(2)(a)(a)
Pools used for swimming and combination pools. The maximum number of patrons permitted to be in the water of a pool used for swimming or a combination pool at any one time shall be computed on the basis of allowing one patron for every 15 square feet of the shallow portion of the pool and one patron for every 25 square feet of the deep portion of the pool. Three hundred square feet of pool water surface around each diving board and platform may be excluded in computing the permissible patron load. An additional 10 patrons for each diving board shall be included in the computation.
DHS 172.25(2)(b)
(b)
Whirlpools. The maximum number of patrons permitted to be in the water of a whirlpool at any one time shall be computed on the basis of allowing one patron for every 10 square feet of whirlpool surface area.
DHS 172.25(2)(c)
(c)
Wading pools. The maximum number of patrons permitted to be in the water of a wading pool at any one time shall be computed on the basis of allowing one patron for every 15 square feet of wading pool surface area.
DHS 172.25(2)(d)
(d)
Therapy and exercise pools. The maximum number of patrons permitted to be in the water of a therapy or exercise pool at any one time shall be computed on the basis of allowing one patron every 15 square feet of the shallow portion of the pool and one patron for every 25 square feet of the deep portion of the pool.
DHS 172.25 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08.
DHS 172.26(1)(a)(a) All rescue equipment shall be maintained in good repair. Rescue equipment shall be mounted in a conspicuous place and shall be readily accessible.
DHS 172.26(1)(b)
(b) For each basin of water over 4 feet in length and over 2 feet deep, a shepherd's crook-type pole shall be provided. In addition, for each lifeguard chair, or for a pool 30 feet or more in width that does not have lifeguard chairs, at least one of the following shall be provided:
DHS 172.26(1)(b)1.
1. A ring buoy having a minimum outside diameter of 20 inches. Each ring buoy shall be attached to a 1/4 inch rope having a length not less than 11/2 times the maximum width of the pool or 50 feet, whichever is less.
DHS 172.26(1)(c)
(c) The safety rope required in
s. SPS 390.18 (1) shall remain in place except during a lifeguarded activity or adult only lap swim. The responsible supervisor shall ensure the rope is in place during required times.
DHS 172.26(1)(d)
(d) A spine board with straps and head immobilizer in good condition shall be available at a pool where a lifeguard is required.
DHS 172.26(2)
(2) Telephone. For outdoor pools, a working telephone shall be available in the pool area. For indoor pools, a working telephone shall be available within the enclosed area around a pool. A current list of emergency numbers and the facility's location shall be attached to or posted near the telephone. Cellular or cordless phones may not be used to comply with this subsection.
DHS 172.26 Note
Note: A request for an alternative location for a telephone or another system of communication that provides access to emergency service during hours of pool operation may be made under s.
DHS 172.03 (2).
DHS 172.26 History
History: CR 06-086: cr.
Register August 2007 No. 620, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 09-115: am. (1) (b) and (c)
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; correction in (1) (c) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register January 2012 No. 673.
DHS 172.27(1)(1) A first aid kit of a sort approved by the department and 2 durable blankets in good condition shall be available at each pool area. The first aid kit shall contain all of the following items:
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