Swimming Pool/Spa Codes and the Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO)

National Swimming Pool Foundation History

National Spa and Pool Institute

Codes and Regulations

Annual Permit
Approval of Plans
Water Chemistry
Water Testing
Water Filtration and Recirculation
Water Clarity
Safety Equipment
Records
Chlorine Gas
Markings
“Grandfather Clause”
Pool Closure

Types of Pools

Public
Semipublic
Special-use
Private

Certification of Pool/Spa Operators

Job Description

Spa Operators
Public Pool Operators
Pool Technicians

Liability

Violations
Responsibility
Performance
Insurance

 

Swimming Pool Calculations

Equivalents

Metric Equivalents

Calculating Surface Area

Geometric Formulas
Multisided Pools
Circular Pools
Free-form Pools
Interior Walls and Floors
Coved Pools

Calculating Pool Capacity

Volume/One Inch in Depth

Makeup Water

Calculating Maximum User Load

Spas
Public Indoor Pools
Public Outdoor Pools
Private Pools and Spas

Calculating Filter Surface Area

Determining Flow Rate

 

Filters and Filtration

Water Clarity

Turnover Rate
Filter Area
Filter Media
Filter Systems

Filter Sizing

Turnover
Filter Flow Rate

Rapid Sand Pressure Filters

Filtering Rates
Backwashing

Vacuum Sand Filters

High Rate Sand Filters

Diatomaceous Earth Filters

Types of D. E. Filters
D. E. elements
Slurry Feeding
Precoating
Extending Filter Runs
Cleaning D. E. Filters|
Regenerative D. E. Filters

Cartridge Filters

 

Pool Circulation and Recirculation Equipment

Water Distribution

Outlets
Inlets

Recirculation Equipment

Recirculation Pump
Pump Sizing
Measurement of Total Dynamic Head
Hair and Lint Strainers
Surge Chamber or Balancing Tank
Piping
Valves
Flow Controllers and Flow Switches
Pressure Gauges
Flow Meters
Interpreting Gauges and Flow Meters

Performance Checks

Vacuum System
Pressure System

 

Pool Water Sanitizing and Chemical Balance

Chlorination

Sanitation
Oxidation
Superchlorination
Combined Chlorine
Breakpoint Chlorination
Inorganic and Organic Chlorine
Effect of pH on Chlorine
Chlorine Gas
Sodium Hypochlorite
Calcium Hypochlorite
Lithium Hypochlorite
Chlorinated Isocyanurates
Chlorination Summary

Alternative Sanitizers

Bromine
Iodine
Ozone

Electrolytic Cells

Brine Method
In-Line Method
Automation

Silver

Non-Chlorine Oxidizers

Other Pool Chemicals

Flocculants
Algicides
Chelating or Sequestering Agents
Degreasers
Defoamers
Cyanuric Acid

Chemical Equilibrium

Calcium Carbonate
Hot Water
Understanding pH
Control of pH
Total Alkalinity
Control of Total Alkalinity
Understanding Calcium Hardness
Controlling Calcium Hardness
Water Saturation Summary

Chemical Balancing

Corrosive vs. Non-corrosive
Irritating vs. Non-irritating
Staining vs. Non-staining
Clarity

 

Pool Water Testing

Testing for Bacteria

Testing for Chlorine

OTO Method
DPD Methods

Free Available Chlorine Test
Total Chlorine Test
Combined Chlorine Calculation

Dilution Method

Testing for pH Values

Solution Method
Tablet Method

Testing for Hardness

Total Hardness
Calcium Hardness

Testing for Total Alkalinity

Testing for Cyanuric Acid

Testing for TDS

Testing for Copper

Testing for Iron

ORP Testing

Test Strips

Analyzing and Adjusting Water Chemistry

Summary

 

Spas, Tubs and Hot Water Therapy Pools

Codes and Regulations

Codes and Standards for Operation

Bather Load

Calculating Load
Controlling Load

Chemical Operation Standards

Alkalinity

Water Hardness

Spa Chemical Adjustments

Dilution of Chemicals
TDS Standards

Chlorine or Disinfection Concentrations

Filtration Standards

Filter Maintenance

Recirculation

Spa Designs

Types and Construction

Start-Up Procedures

Maintenance

Fiberglass Repairs
Hot Tub Care

Maintenance Problems and Procedures

Trouble-shooting

“Dumping” the Spa

When to Dump
Problems of Dumping

Drains and Drain Covers

Heaters and Heating System Efficiency

Heater Sizing

Safety

Timer Switch
Supervision
Signage

Safety Procedures

Records

 

Pool Management

Pool Survey and Operations Report Form

Records and Files

Record Keeping
Equipment Data Form
Operational Checklist

Training Personnel

Job Performance
Staff Orientation

Maintenance Schedules

Spa and Hot Water Pools
Residential, Motel, Hotel and Agency Pools
Public and Commercial Pools
Pool Area
Halls, Lobby, and Passageways
Pool Bottom
Locker Rooms
Office and Service Area
Grounds
Filter Room

Opening and Closing

Planning for Operation

Calculating Swimmer and User Capacity
Anticipating Operational Demands
Water Recovery
Maintenance Demands
Establishing a Maintenance Formula

Budget Planning

Energy Costs
Operational Costs
Maintenance Costs
Personnel Costs

Swimming Pool and Spa Maintenance

Plans, Operation Manuals, Record and Codes

Codes

Tagging, Color Coding, Checklist

Routine Maintenance

Pools and Locker Room Floors
Pool Sides, Troughs and Skimmers
Pool Bottom
Diving Boards and Slides
Locker Rooms
Office, Basket Rooms, Staff Rooms, and Service Areas
Entrance, Lobby and Halls
Grounds and Outside Environment
Lights
Filter Pump and Motor
Filter and Skimmer Strainers
Pressure Gauges and Flow Meters
Chemical Feeders
Gas Chlorinators
Chlorinator Maintenance
Chlorine Leak
Loss of Chlorine Feed
Exchanging Chlorine Tanks
Water Heaters
Heat Loss from Pool Surface
Underwater Lights
Changing Underwater Lights
Valves

Preventive Maintenance

Filter Room
Locker Rooms
Pool
Entry and Grounds
Automation

 

Pool Operation Problems and Chemical Adjustments

Trouble-shooting

Sensing Problems

Back-up Plans

Common Problems

Chemical Adjustments

Adding Chemicals

How Much of What Chemical

Superchlorination

 

Care of Seasonal Pools

Winterizing

Hydrostatic Pressure
Pool Blankets
Preventing Deterioration and Freezing
Vandalism
Dissembling and Assembling
Pool Water Chemistry
Utilities

Spring Start-up

 

Energy Conservation and Alternative Energy Sources

Types of Heat Loss

Radiation
Conduction
Convection
Evaporation

Factors Affecting Amount of Heat Loss

Energy and Cost Conservation Methods

Pool Blankets

Additional Tips to Conserve Energy

Lighting
Heaters
Swimming Season
Spas
Pool Shelter

Alternative Energy Sources

Geothermal
Solar Energy
Solar Collectors
Design Considerations

Heat Pumps

Insulation

Summary

 

Energy Management

Training Staff

Energy Audits and Studies

Energy Calculations

Cost Comparisons

NSPI Energy Conservation Checklist

Reading Electric Meters

Energy Audit Outline

Major Areas of Energy Loss

 

Renovation and Modernization

Modernization

Renovation

Survey for Dangerous Pool Conditions
Survey for Water Conditions
Survey for Water Loss
Survey for Increased Space
Meeting New Code and Operational Standards
Survey for Facility Aging
Survey for Maintenance Reduction
Survey for Energy Cost and Loss

Developing a Renovation and Modernization Plan

 

Disease and Accident Prevention

Pool Water as a Disease Carrier

Other Sources of Disease

Disease Prevention

Accident Prevention

Accidents

Safety Practices

Chemicals
Chlorine Safety
Handling Chlorine Tanks
Warning Signs for a Chlorine Room

Chlorine Room Emergency Procedures

Minor Leak
Major Leak or Cylinder Rupture
Exposure: First Aid — Inhalation
Exposure: First Aid — Contact with Skin or Eyes

Safety Features

Lighting
Marking
Signs
Obstructions and Obstacles
Safety Inspection
Diving Safety
Fire Extinguisher

Emergencies

First Aid Room and Equipment
First Aid Kit
Rescue Breathing

Hazard Communication Program

Material Safety Data Sheets
Labels
Written Hazard Communication Program
Employee Information and Training