Mecklenburg County Public Swimming Pools 2019

Katie Wilson, REHS704-309-5494Sr. EHS, PEHS

Chris Sells, REHS Tim Dutcher, REHS704-576-8678 704-507-6808Sr. EHS, PEHS PEHS Supervisor

Topics• Website

• Permit Checklists• PDSC Forms

• Mecklenburg County Local Operating Permit

• North Carolina Operating Permit

• 2019 Permitting Process• PDSC Form Enforcement • Night Swimming

• 2019 Application and Fee Submittal

• Summer EA’s

• In-Field Plan Review Applications

• General and Equipment Changes

• Fencing Reminders

• Plugging Equalizers

Website –http://Meckpools.charmeck.org

What’s new on our website? • Pool Drain Safety Compliance (PDSC) form updated

for 2019

• Pool Drain Compliance Report – Are my covers expired?

• 2019 PDSC Information – Includes pump information, main drain and equalizer information

• In-Field Plan Review Applications

• New Pump and Pump Curve List – updated with more pumps – PDF

• Note: There have been changes to flow ratings for some Aquastar drain covers.

• Permit Checklists• Swimming Pool

• Wading Pool

• Spas

• Water Recreation Attractions

• Available in Spanish also

PDSC Form – Section 1B• Maximum Pumping System Flow is reduced to

________ gpm.• Only fill out this section if providing TDH measurements, a

true flow by flow meter, calculations, etc.

PDSC Form – Section 3Equalizer Cover Data

PDSC Form – Section 5Vacuum Line

PDSC Form – Back Page *Only Fill Out for New Construction*

• Pump Curve Document• Provides assistance

with manufacturer, model number and corresponding pump curve

• Great tool for assisting with PDSC forms

• VGB Approved Cover Document

• Provides general quick reference for drain covers and corresponding manufacturer specs

• Does not replace manufacturer specifications

2019 Operating Season

Permit Inspections • ALL seasonal and annual public swimming pools

including pools, wading pools, spas, spray pads, etc. will be required to have a permit inspection beforean operation permit will be issued

• A State and Local permit will be issued onsite• State Permit – Will be paper• Local Permit – Will be a sticker

Local Permit must be posted at pool. State permit must be present.

Permit Inspections • Pools are required to be in compliance with

• The Mecklenburg County Health Ordinance – Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools

- AND-

• The State Rules – NC Public Swimming Pool Rules .2500

Mecklenburg County –Local Operating Permit

Meck. Co. Local Ordinance

Lifeguard/Safety Requirements

Type A Pool – A pool operated by:

1. Municipality

2. Community organization

3. Neighborhood association

4. School, college, or university

5. Athletic club

6. Institutional facility

7. Country club or similar facility.

Lifeguard/Safety Requirements

• Type A Pools with Depth 5 ft. or less• A lifeguard or other person trained in lifesaving techniques

must be provided but is not required to remain in the pool area.

• This may include a CPO that visits the property daily. • A suitable alarm shall be provided to summon such lifeguard

in the event of an emergency. • A phone can be designated as a suitable alarm.

• Type A Pools with Depth greater than 5 ft.• A lifeguard shall be provided at ALL times.

Lifeguard/Safety Requirements• A lifeguard variance request may be made to

Public Health by submitting Lifeguard Variance Request form.

• Request form can be sent to Tim Dutcher.• Form can be found on our website at

http://Meckpools.charmeck.org.

• Once approved, you will receive notification of approval of variance for lifeguards.

NC Operating Permit

State Permit Inspections• Will be completed as done previously, like a pre-

permit inspection.

• Utilize the permit checklists on our website to ensure compliance (referenced previously).

2019 Permitting Process

2019 Permit Process• All seasonal and annual pools will require a permit inspection

before opening

• The first day to complete a scheduled permit inspection for seasonal pools will be on April 1st

• A list of every pool and their assigned inspector will be posted on our website: http://meckpools.charmeck.orgunder Inspector Assignment List

• Contact your inspector beginning March 13, 2019• Go to the website, look up your pool, and contact the

inspector to schedule an inspection

Permit Inspection Reminder• Remember that all items on the permit checklists

should be correct before scheduling a permit inspection

• If an inspector conducts a scheduled inspection and the pool does not pass, $100 return visit fee will be charged

Permits• Will be provided onsite by your inspector.

• Post sticker visible upon entrance to the pool.

• Your State permit will also be posted on our website. Please allow for time as they will be scanned in due to hard copy permit.

• Look for the icon located on our website

Inspection Guarantee Dates• To guarantee an inspection by April 15

• All paperwork must be submitted to Public Health and EH staff must be contacted for appointment by March 20

• To guarantee an inspection by May 1• All paperwork must be submitted to Public Health and EH staff must be

contacted by April 1

• To guarantee an inspection by the Friday before Memorial Day

• All paperwork must be submitted to Public Health and EH staff must be contacted by May 1

PDSC Forms and Inspections• All VGB paperwork must be submitted and

approved before an inspection will be scheduled

• If PDSC form is verified incorrect during the inspection, a return visit and a fee will be required

Enforcement – VGB ComplianceWhat does this mean as a pool operator?

1. Verify PDSC form that Meck. Co. has on file is accurate2. A list is available on our website as reviewed at beginning of

presentation3. If incorrect, submit a new form to:

• Email: Katie.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov or Christopher.Sells@mecklenburgcountync.gov• Fax: 704-336-6894• Mail: 3205 Freedom Drive, Suite 8000, Charlotte, NC 28208

• All expired drain covers or equalizer line covers must be replaced before the 2019 season in order to schedule an operating permit inspection

Tips for Completing Your PDSCForm• If new form is filled out, all portions must be

complete. This includes: • Section 1. Pump system Flow; • Section 2. Main Drain Cover Data with sump information; • Section 3. Equalizer Cover Data; and • Section 4. SVRS (if applicable)

• Keep a copy of the completed form for your personal records

• All completed PDSC forms will be available online once submitted and approved

Night Swimming

Night Swimming

• Open for Night Swimming Defined

• People are swimming and using the pool after dusk

• Does not include the deck area surrounding the pool including fire pits, tv areas, game areas, etc.

Night Swimming

• Sufficient Lighting Defined• Main drains and all areas of the swimming pool are clearly visible

• All required decking space is clearly illuminated

• Pools = At least 6 ft. or 8 ft. depending on pool size

• Wading Pools = At least 4 ft. around pool

• Spas = 4 ft. clearance at least ½ way around spa

• All parts of the pool, the water, the depth markers, signs, entrances, restrooms, safety equipment, phone and signage, and walkaways are clearly illuminated

Night Swimming - Permitting• If a pool wants night swimming, the inspector must make a

site visit before dawn or after dusk to assure sufficient lighting is provided

• This visit can be made after the initial permit inspection and will be scheduled with your assigned inspector

• The State permit will indicate either Permitted for Night Swimming or Not Permitted for Night Swimming with a check box marked

• A permit may be issued without night swimming and amended at a later date

Night Swimming

• Pools Previously Approved for Night Swimming

1. Up to inspector to re-approve for night swimming without a follow-up visit.

2. All lighting including pool lights and perimeter lighting must be operable at time of inspection.

2019 Application and Fee Submittal

2019 Permitting - Website

2019 Permitting –Application Process• Application

• Fields populated with most current info from our database

• Make any changes to owner, operator, phone number, email address, etc. by striking through and writing in new information

• Note: It is important we have most current email, mailing address, etc. since this is how we contact operator’s and owners

2019 Permitting - Fees

• Permit fees will stay the same• Seasonal Fee - $130

• Annual Fee - $250

• Late fees have not changed = $120• Permits must be received by February 28th

2019 Permitting –Application Process• Payment Invoices will

be available again this year

• If you need a W-9, please contact Sabrena Davis at (980) 314-2959

Permit Applications

Due February 28th by 5:00 pm

A $120 late fee will be applied for EACH pool that is submitted late

How to Pay• Mail Check to or Pay in the Office:

3205 Freedom Drive, Suite 8000

Charlotte, NC 28208

• Pay Over Phone:980-314-1620If application is separate from payment –1. Write the permit ID on bottom of check or2. Write payment by credit card on bottom of

application and provide contact information for payment

Summer Environmental Assistants Safety Visits

Summer Environmental Assistants• Visits made again at pools throughout the 2019 Season

• These are safety visits, to ensure compliance with the State AND Local requirements

In-Field Plan Review Requirements

In-Field Plan Review –General Form• Used for renovation or repair work NOT including

equipment in pump room Renovation of pool perimeter fencing, doors and gates

Renovation of pool deck

Renovation of swimming pool restrooms

Pool Plaster – Only if color is not greater than 50% light reflective

In-Field Plan Review – General

Pool Plaster• Plaster/paint color

should reflect greater than 50% of light

• Light Reflectance Value can be provided by the manufacturer

Pool Decals

In-Field Plan Review –Equipment Change Form• Used for renovation or repair work to equipment

in pump room Pool pump changes

Pool filter changes

Renovation of piping

Relocation of equipment including piping, filters and pumps

Changing equipment from what was originally approved during plan review

Note: Pools are not approved as salt water pools unless approved by this Department

In-Field Plan Review - Equipment

In-Field Plan Review – PDSC • For changes to equipment including pump

changes, main drains or equalizers, ensure an updated PDSC form is submitted with the application

In-Field Plan Review• What does in-field plan review include?

• A $250 fee may be required to be paid to Public Health if a site visit must be made.

• An In-Field Plan Review application must be submitted for approval before work occurs

• Notify Public Health before making changes to your swimming pool or the exterior surroundings around the pool

If you are unsure as to whether or not in-field plan review may be required, you can contact myself or Chris Sells for clarification.

Fencing Reminders

Gates – No GrandfatherREMEMBER! There is no grandfather for gates into public swimming pools. Gates must meet all rule

requirements of .2528.

A gate that does not meet State Rule will result in failure of inspection.

Note: If a gate is kept locked, inspector will require that it be verified to self-close, self-latch

Pool Gates Must self-close, self-latch

Gate latch must be at least 54” measured from ground or 3” down from inside of gate with no greater than ½” within 18” of latch

2” under gate measured to bottom horizontal

4” or less between pickets

At least 48” in height with 45” between horizontals

Doors on to Pool Deck

Doors on to Pool Deck

• Doors must self-close, self-latch or self-close with audible alarm

Windows on to Pool Deck

Windows on to Pool Deck 1. No greater than 4” openings on to

deck2. Must be permanently affixed

Wading Pool Fences All wading pools regardless of date of construction

must be in compliance with all fencing requirements.

Fence and gate items are 4-point demerits and warrant failure of pre-permit inspection or issuance of

Intent to Suspends.

There is no grandfather for wading pool fences or gates.

Plugging EqualizersFrom the State of North Carolina

Plugging Equalizer Lines • Pools may disable or plug their skimmer equalizer

lines. • Pools are not required to do this. This is optional.

• This applies only to the equalizer line. The skimmer must remain operational and be equipped with weirs, baskets and appropriate lids.

Options for Plugging –Plug at Wall/Plug in Skimmer1. Plug with a solid plug that

will not allow water to pass through or around it.

• Plug at the wall cannot protrude more than 2 inches from the finished pool wall surface.

2. Plug should not be able to be removed by hand.

3. Plug equalizer line under skimmer basket.

• There should be no stagnant water between the plugs.

Plaster at Wall/Plug in Skimmer

1. Plaster at wall should be flush as possible and cannot protrude more than 2 inches.

2. Plug equalizer line under skimmer basket.

• There should be no stagnant water between the plaster and the plug.

Important Reminder If skimmer equalizer lines are disabled (plugged) -

• The owner/operator must be sure to maintain the pool’s water level up to the mouth of the skimmers at all times to ensure that the pump maintains flooded suction.

• If the water level falls below the skimmer mouth, this can cause the pump to draw in air and the pump may fail.

• Autofill systems to maintain the pool water level are not required, but are recommended.

Pool Maintenance Reminder…• Do not hand feed chlorine into your pool to

rapidly increase your chlorine unless you are shocking your pool

• This includes chlorine pucks, granular, sticks, etc.

• Staff need to verify that chlorinator is operational and hand feeding is a direct hazard to the public

• An Immediate Suspension will be issued if staff see this

Dates to Remember

• February 28, 2019 – Last day to submit permit fee without paying a late penalty

• March 13, 2019 – Start contacting inspectors to schedule inspections

• April 1, 2019 – Start of the 2019 Seasonal Pool Season – Pre-permit inspections may start

• May 1, 2019 – Start of the Annual Swimming Pool Season

Contact Information• Katie Wilson

Katie.Wilson@mecklenburgcountync.gov(704) 309-5494

• Chris Sells Christopher.Sells@mecklenburgcountync.gov(704) 576-8678

• Tim DutcherTim.Dutcher@mecklenburgcountync.gov(980) 314-1631

http://meckpools.charmeck.org