The right equipment keeps swimmers safe
In addition to training, proper equipment plays a vital role in keeping swimmers safe. Accidents happen most often when the circulation pump fails due to mechanical or operator error. The water stops flowing, but the chemical pumps continue operating, leaving the chlorine and hydrochloric acid to mix at a high concentration and combine into a dangerous compound. Traditionally, an alarm called a flow sensor is installed in the circulation system so the operator is alerted to a malfunction. This is the primary safety system, but it is by no means perfect.
The surprisingly straightforward solution is to tie the chemical pump directly to the electrical system. This type of setup ensures that during an electrical failure, both the chemical and circulation pumps stop operating. The two systems are now both flow and electrically locked. In this way, the chlorine and hydrochloric acid never mix while the water is stagnant. A simple mechanical device can merge the electrical systems, creating the much-needed secondary safety system.
After multiple accidents in Utah, including the one mentioned earlier, the state health authority updated the health codes that require public pools to update their equipment to fit this model. Redundant systems have existed for years for automated heating, electrical, and chemistry equipment. Unfortunately, until recently, backup devices for the chemical feed system were non-existent. It took multiple tragedies and injuries to bring this issue to the forefront.
In 2018, there were around 5000 publicly owned pools and splash pads in Canada. All these pools would benefit from a redundant chemical pump safety device. Other public pools not owned by the government should also consider a safety upgrade. This includes hotel pools and spas, school swimming pools, homeowners’ association pools, and any other water feature used by people.
Where the safety of bathers is concerned, the pool industry needs to be driving innovations and changes that solve problems instead of waiting on government regulations to do so. While it is not always a legal requirement, the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends dosing pumps be designed to shut down if the circulation system fails.
Canadian law does require pool owners “take such care as in all circumstances of the case is reasonable to see that persons entering the premises, and the property brought on the premises by those persons are reasonably safe while on the premises,” according to the Occupiers’ Liability Act, Occupier’s Duty. This means pool owners can be held liable for chemical accidents that might have been reasonably prevented.
The primary safety system, the flow interlock device, works in most cases to prevent chemical incidents in public pools. But the possibility of a malfunction means every swimmer is not safe. A secondary, electrical interlock device is inexpensive and protects individuals from injuries and public facilities from liability.
