Class “A” pool is:
A public pool to which the general public is admitted that is:
- operated in conjunction with, or as a part of a program of an educational, instructional, physical fitness or athletic institution or association, that is supported in whole or in part by public funds or public subscription
- operated on the premises of a recreational camp, for use by campers and their visitors and camp personnel
Class “B” pool is:
A public pool that is:
- operated on the premises of an apartment building that contains six or more dwelling units or suites, or a mobile home park, for the use of the occupants and their visitors
- operated as a facility to serve a community of six or more single-family private residences, for the use of the residents and their visitors
- operated on the premises of a hotel, for the use of its guests and their visitors
- operated on the premises of a campground, for the use of its tenants and their visitors
- operated in conjunction with a club, for the use of its members and their visitors, or a condominium, co-operative or commune property that contains six or more dwelling units or suites, for the use of the owners or members and their visitors
- operated in conjunction with a day nursery, a day camp, or an establishment or facility for the care or treatment of persons who have special needs, for the use of such persons and their visitors
- one other than a Class A pool, that is not exempt from the provisions of the Public Pools Regulation
Public cold plunge pool
A public cold plunge pool is a public pool that is maintained at a temperature of 15ºC (59ºF) or less that is not drained, cleaned and refilled before each user. It may or may not have hydro jets.
Public spa
A public spa means a hydro-massage pool containing an artificial body of water that is intended primarily for therapeutic or recreational use, that is not drained, cleaned or refilled before use by each individual, and that utilizes hydro jet circulation, air induction bubbles, current flow or a combination of them over the majority of the pool area.
Opening or re-opening a public pool or spa
At least 14 days before a public pool or public spa is put into use after construction or alteration, the owner or operator, must notify, in writing, Public Health Sudbury & Districts of their intention to open or re-open a public pool or spa. Contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts for an inspection if your pool and/or spa:
- is ready to be put into use after construction or alteration
- is ready to re-open after it has been closed for a period of more than four weeks duration
No Class A or Class B pool and/or spa are permitted to open to the public until written permission from Public Health Sudbury & Districts is given.
What types of disinfectants can I use in public pools and spas?
Chlorine, or a chlorine compound, and bromine, or a bromine compound, are the only disinfectants allowed for use in public pools and spas in Ontario. Chlorine is presently the most widely accepted means of disinfecting pool and spa water. Chlorine as a disinfectant is available in a chemical compound or through saltwater chlorination. Saltwater chlorination uses a source of power to pass an electric current between two electrodes immersed in a solution of salt. This creates chlorine gas from the anode (positive pole).
Both chlorine or bromine as disinfectants ensure the health of the bathers by quickly and efficiently destroying most harmful pathogens introduced to the water through bather load. Their secondary function is to oxidize the organics that make up the bulk of bather load. Disinfecting agents must be monitored and recorded.
The required tests and frequency are legislated and can be found in the Public Pools Regulation (Government of Ontario).
Frequency of water tests for public pools and spas
The Public Pools Regulation requires the following water tests and frequencies for each:
| Water test | Indoor pool | Outdoor pool | Spa | Frequency of tests without automatic sensing device | Frequency of tests with automatic sensing device |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total alkalinity | 60 ppm to 180 ppm | 60 ppm to 180 ppm | 60 ppm to 180 ppm | Half hour before opening and every 2 hours while the pool is open to bathers | Half hour before opening and every 4 hours while the pool is open to bathers |
| pH | 7.2 to 7.8 | 7.2 to 7.8 | 7.2 to 7.8 | Half hour before opening and every 2 hours while the pool is open to bathers | Half hour before opening and every 4 hours while the pool is open to bathers |
| Free available chlorine (FAC) | 0.5 ppm to 10 ppm Cold plunge pool 5 ppm to 10 ppm Hot water pool 5 ppm to 10 ppm | 1 ppm to 10 ppm Cold plunge pool 5 ppm to 10 ppm Hot water pool 5 ppm to 10 ppm | 5 ppm to 10 ppm | Half hour before opening and every 2 hours while the pool is open to bathers | Half hour before opening and every 4 hours while the pool is open to bathers |
| Total bromine | 2.0 ppm to 8 ppm Wave action pools 3.0 ppm to 10 ppm | 2.0 ppm to 8 ppm Wave action pools 3.0 ppm to 10 ppm | 5 ppm to 10 ppm | Half hour before opening and every 2 hours while the pool or spa is open to bathers | Half hour before opening and every 4 hours while the pool or spa is open to bathers |
| Oxidation reduction potential | 600 mV to 900 mV | 600 mV to 900 mV | 600 mV to 900 mV | Daily | Daily |
| FAC where cyanurate stabilization is maintained (in outdoor pools only) | 1.0 ppm to 10 ppm | Half hour before opening and every 2 hours while the pool is open to bathers | Half hour before opening and every 4 hours while the pool is open to bathers | ||
| Cyanuric acid | Not greater than 60 mg/L | Weekly | Weekly | ||
| Water clarity | Ability to see a black disc 150 mm in diameter on a white background permanently affixed to the bottom of the pool at its deepest point from a point on the deck 9 m away | Ability to see a black disc 150 mm in diameter on a white background permanently affixed to the bottom of the pool at its deepest point from a point on the deck 9 m away | Ability to see the lowest outlet drain when the spa is in a non-turbulent state | Half hour before opening and every 2 hours while the pool is open to bathers | Half hour before opening and every 4 hours while the pool is open to bathers |
| Water temperature | Hot water pools that operate at a temperature of 35ºC (95ºF) or higher: Maximum temperature of 40ºC (104ºF) | Maximum temperature of 40ºC (104ºF) | Half hour before opening and every 2 hours while the pool is open to bathers | Half hour before opening and every 4 hours while the pool is open to bathers |
In addition to the water tests listed above, there are also operational requirements that pool and/or spa operators must test or monitor. All data must be recorded. These include:
- emergency telephone
- ground fault interrupter
- make-up water reading
- number of bathers
- safety equipment and health warning signs
- water outlet covers
- emergencies, rescues, or breakdowns of equipment
- draining, inspection, and refilling of the spa
Criteria for closing a public pool or spa
A public pool or spa is subject to immediate closure by a public health inspector when any of the following conditions are observed:
- the pool or spa is not made inaccessible when closed
- water clarity is poor, or the black disc is not available or visible (pools only)
- fouling of the water (for example the presence or feces, vomit, or blood)
- the filtration or circulation system is not operating properly or is malfunctioning
- the drain cover or fittings are missing, loose, or not in good repair
- safety equipment is missing, malfunctioning, or not in good repair
- disinfectant is not detected, or is at levels that are too high and may adversely affect the bather
- qualified lifeguard is not available where applicable
- emergency stop button does not deactivate all pumps when activated (spa only)
- vacuum relief mechanism is inoperable (spa only)
If any one of these conditions are observed during your routine checks, immediately close the pool or spa until the problem is rectified. Contact a public health inspector for guidance.
What are the steps for cleaning a pool fouling (vomitus, liquid stool/diarrhea, or blood)?
For instructions on cleaning formed fecal matter or diarrhea in a pool, please refer to Appendix E of the Recreational Water Reference Document (Ontario Ministry of Health).
For any questions regarding a pool fouling as the result of vomitus or blood, contact us.
What are the safety requirements for public pools and spas?
It is the responsibility of every owner and operator of a public pool or spa to maintain the pool and spa, and their equipment in a safe, and sanitary condition.
Class A and Class B pools
Accessibility
The pool must remain inaccessible to people who are not involved with its maintenance and operation during hours when it is not intended to be open to the public.
Black disc and water clarity
There must be a black disc permanently affixed to the deepest part of the pool, and it must be visible from any point on the pool deck 9 meters away from the disc.
Safety equipment
The operator of a swimming pool must ensure that the following safety equipment is present at the pool at all times:
- One electrically insulated or non-conducting reaching pole that is at least 3.65 meters long.
- Two buoyant throwing aids tied to a rope that is at least half the width of the pool plus 3 meters.
- In the case of a Class B pool that is in operation and has a slope of more than 8 per cent, a buoy line.
- One spine board.
- One first aid box that is fully stocked.
- Emergency telephone. Cellular telephones do not meet the regulatory requirements.
- Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Test buttons associated with the GFCI must be tested and operational.
- Pool water outlet covers must be properly installed and in good repair.
- Safety signage. Two signs must be posted with the minimum wording required by the regulation. It is suggested that the pool admission standardsbe posted. If you require the pool admission standards sign, contact us.
Spas
Accessibility
The spa must remain inaccessible to people who are not involved with its maintenance and operation during hours when it is not intended to be open to the public.
Water clarity and temperature
The lowest outlet drain must be clearly visible when the spa is in a non-turbulent state.
The spa must be equipped with a tamper-proof upper limit cut off switch that limits the maximum temperature of the spa to 40ºC (104ºF).
Safety equipment
A spa containing hydro-massage jet fitting(s) must be equipped with a timing device that:
- controls the period of operation of the jet pump;
- can be set to a maximum of 15 minutes; and
- is located where it requires the bather to exit the spa to reset it.
Any suction system or pump that serves a spa must be equipped with a vacuum relief mechanism.
Emergency telephone must be located within 30 meters of the spa.
Emergency stop button must be available that can deactivate the pumps. The emergency stop button must:
- be separate from the spa’s timing device;
- be located within the vicinity of the spa; and
- activate an audible and visual signal when used.
Other emergency equipment that is only required for public spas that have an inner horizontal dimension greater than three meters:
- One electrically insulated or non-conducting reaching pole that is at least 3.65 meters long.
- One buoyant throwing aid tied to a rope that is at least half the width of the pool area plus three meters.
- One spine board.
- One first aid box that is fully stocked.
If safety equipment is provided for a public pool that operates in the immediate vicinity of a public spa, an owner and/or operator is not required to provide duplicate emergency equipment, so long as these items are conveniently located for the emergency use at the spa.
Additional resources
Pool operators can use these resources to raise awareness about recreational water illnesses and pool chemical safety among swimmers, pool operators, and residential pool owners. Display these resources in visible areas such as in bathroom stalls, shower areas, and diaper-changing stations at pools, and hot tubs, where patrons can easily see and read them before getting into the water.
- Don’t Pee in the Pool Poster (PDF, 1 MB)
- Pool Chemical Safety Use Poster (PDF, 1 MB)
- Healthy Swimming Poster (PDF, 1 MB)
- Public Pool and Spas Operator’s Guide (Middlesex-London Health Unit, PDF, 11 MB)