Title:
Proposed Amendments to Health Ordinance Governing Public Swimming Pools
Summary
ACTION:
Approve proposed amendments to the Mecklenburg County Health Ordinance Governing Public Swimming Pools
Staff Contact: Gibbie Harris, MSPH, BSN, Health Director
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The Mecklenburg County Health Ordinance Governing Public Swimming Pools went into effect May 18, 1999. The Health Ordinance Governing Public Swimming Pools established local enforceable standards for permitting, operation, maintenance, and abandonment of public swimming pools in Mecklenburg County. Public Swimming Pools in Mecklenburg County must meet the requirements of both the Local Health Ordinance and the North Carolina Public Swimming Pool Rules.
The Health Department proposes amending the Mecklenburg County Health Ordinance Governing Public Swimming Pools in response to an internal review of the regulations. The proposed amendment will
1. Replace the words “Health Ordinance” or “Ordinance” with the words “Rules” or “Rule”.
2. The Local Health Ordinance and the State Public Swimming Pool Rules have telephone requirements. Due to technology changes since 1999 the instructions to contact 911 may not always be accurate.
a. Remove the telephone requirement from section 7e of the Lifeguard/Safety Requirements.
i. A telephone shall be installed in the pool area that is readily accessible anytime the pool is being used. The telephone shall be capable of directly dialing 911. Instructions shall be posted by the telephone stating IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DIAL 911. The name and address of the facility shall be clearly posted on or near the telephone.
b. Public Swimming pools will be required to be in compliance with the telephone requirements contained in state swimming pool rules found in 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 18A. .2530(f). The following is the state requirements that the County will comply with:
i. A telephone capable of directly dialing 911 or other emergency notification system shall be provided and accessible to all pool users. The telephone shall be permanently affixed to a location inside the pool enclosure or outside the enclosure within 75 feet of a bather entrance. The telephone shall be visible from within the pool enclosure or a sign shall be posted indicating the location of the emergency telephone. A sign with legible letters shall be posted at the telephone providing dialing instructions, address of the pool location and the telephone number. Where the telephone does not directly access 911, the emergency notification system shall:
1. Provide 24 hour monitoring of all incoming calls by a telecommunicator who answers only emergency calls;
2. Be capable of routing calls to the local 911 telecommunicator via the 911 dedicated emergency trunk line; and
3. Electronically transfer Automatic Number Identification and Automatic Locator Identification for the emergency telephone at the pool to the Enhanced 911 system for all calls routed to 911.
Amendments to the Mecklenburg County Health Ordinance Governing Public Swimming Pools have been drafted for the Board’s consideration on March 7, 2018. As instructed by the Board on February 20, 2018 a Public Notice was published on Friday, February 23, 2018.
A complete copy of the Mecklenburg County Health Ordinance Governing Public Swimming Pools is available from the Clerk to the Board and is also available at <http://Meckpools.charmeck.org>.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A