A NEW CODE FOR SWIMMING POOLS

For the first time, UK swimming pools will be able to carry a plaque certifying that they conform to a code of practice which has been developed in association with the British Standards Institution - thanks to an initiative by the independent Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG). The code covers the management of hydraulics, filtration, disinfection, monitoring - and everything else needed to maintain a top-quality pool.

It is closely based on PWTAG's authoritative book, Swimming Pool Water. PWTAG sponsored the work necessary to translates the book into a Publicly Available Specification (PAS 39), published by BSI at the beginning of this year. Since then, PWTAG has been working with the Institute of Sport & Recreation Management (ISRM) in order to set up a system for assessing pools.

Ralph Riley, ISRM chief executive and PWTAG chair, is happy at the outcome. 'As people know, there are no regulations or even specific standards about swimming pools. Now, after some years of work with BSI, we're able to give pools that want to be recognised as the best, an opportunity to demonstrate it. Trained ISRM inspectors will check procedures against the new code of practice. Success will bring a plaque that demonstrates to customers that they are in safe hands.'

PAS 39 has sections on:

• management systems - responsibility, training, records, etc
  
• water treatment - filtration, disinfection, bathing load, turnover, hygiene, monitoring
  
• pool requirements - circulation, inlets and outlets
  
• plant room
  
• heating and air circulation
  
• chemical use - dosing, handling, storage

To do the inspections for a pool to earn the right to display the new plaque for two years, ISRM will charge £690 + VAT per pool (£630 to ISRM members). Ralph Riley has no doubt that this is a bargain.'We are very excited about this new scheme. And we think pools should be too. It's a real opportunity to tell your customers that you're one of the best. In a competitive world, that's worth a lot. As the scheme catches on, we hope it will be an incentive to the weaker pools to take themselves in hand.'

To proceed...
The code of practice is £74 (£37 to BSI members) from BSI on 020 8896 9001 or email orders@bsi-global.com. To find out about registering, call ISRM on 01509 226474. ISRM has details of another BSI code of practice that can be linked in, specifically on management.

SWIMMING POOL WATER Treatment & Quality Standards (ISBN 0 9517007 66) is £35 (UK), £45 (Overseas) including post and packing. It is 144 pages and distributed by Greenhouse Publishing (tel: +44 (0)1379 890721 or fax: +44 (0)1379 898244). Bulk supplies (in boxes of 33) are available from PWTAG's secretary.