Swimming Pools, Spas & Special Use Pools

Overview

Public swimming pools, spas and special use pools are regulated under the authority of Chapter 3749 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) and the rules specified in Chapter 3701-31 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). A public swimming pool is defined as any indoor or outdoor structure, chamber or tank containing a body of water for swimming, diving or bathing, but does not include a private residential swimming pool. The rules establish minimum standards, applicable throughout Ohio, for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of these facilities in order to protect the bathing public from injury, minimize the potential for disease transmission and provide a safe and healthy aquatic recreational environment.

Virginia Graeme Baker Act

New federal legislation will go into effect that will impact all swimming pool and spas throughout the country.  Information on the VGB Act can be found by clicking Virginia Graeme Baker Act Information.  Additional information can be obtained at the CPSC website, http://www.cpsc.gov/whatsnew.html#pool.  

The CPSC has just released a new poster, CPSC Guide to Compliance, to assist pool operators and licensors in understanding the VGB Act.  A powerpoint presentation was created by CPSC for the public to better understand the importance of this Act.  This presentation can be viewed by clicking on VGB presentation.

All pool and spa operators are required to comply with the VGB Act.  For more information on what steps to take to gain compliance, click on the Pool and Spa Operators letter.  All main drain grate covers will have to be replaced with CPSC approved covers.  A listing of those covers can be found on their website at the link listed above.  If the only change to the pool/spa is a replacement of a main drain grate cover with an approved cover that is of the same size, dimension and has a flow velocity through the cover that does not exceed 1.5 fps, NO plan review will be required.  For any additional measure that may be required to prevent entrapment or evisceration in a pool or spa, plans must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health, Engineering Dept. for review.  If a mechanical device is installed on a pool or spa to comply with the requirements of the VGB Act, a Certification of Installation form, signed by both the person installing the device and the pool/spa operator, must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Health within fourteen days of installation. 

Services

The following services are provided through the Bureau of Environmental Health, Public Swimming Pools & Spas program:

• Policy and procedural guidance to local health district staff for the implementation of the public swimming pool/spa/special use pool regulatory program
• Technical assistance and training in all aspects of facility construction, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and evaluation of public swimming pool, public spa and special use pool facilities
• Periodic surveys of local health district licensing programs to assure licensing programs are being conducted in compliance with the ORC and the OAC
• Clearinghouse functions for the general public relative to aquatic recreation issues, protection from disease transmission, personal safety and complaint investigation.

Rule Development

The Public Swimming Pool/Spa/Special Use Pool rules are developed by the Ohio Department of Health with the assistance of the Swimming Pool Rule Review Committee.  The current rules began the revision process in October.  For more information on the rule review process, click on the rule review information link to the left.  This page will list the meeting dates the whole committee meets, as well as the 3 sub-committees and includes the notes from those meetings.

Additional Information:

• Approved Paint List
  
• Automatic Controller List
  
• Fecal Accident Response
  
  

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Swimming Pools, Spas & Special Use Pools
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: (614) 466-1390
Fax: (614) 466-4556

E-mail: BEH@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 11/19/08                                                                           ODH Programs / Links