DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - AQUATIC FACILITY CODE OF PRACTICE

Application
The Requirements of this Part do not apply to facilities constructed prior to the introduction of this Standard

DISINFECTION
The disinfection process involves adding a chemical to the water to destroy micro-organisms, and oxidise chemical pollutants.  To prevent transmission of infectious diseases, it is essential that this process achieves rapid destruction of micro-organisms in the water, without harming the bathers. It is also necessary to maintain a sufficient residual disinfectant in the water to rapidly destroy any micro-organisms introduced by patrons or other sources.

Chemical disinfection processes are generally centred on a chlorine or bromine compound, as they are the most effective chemicals that can safely be used in an aquatic facility.  They may be used in conjunction with a number of other chemicals or processes (such as U.V. or Ozone) to improve their efficiency and reduce the creation of disinfection by-products.

General Requirements
Aquatic facilities shall be equipped with automatic disinfectant equipment that is capable of maintaining continuous and effective disinfection of the water under all conditions of use.

The equipment shall be capable of maintaining the water chemistry in compliance with the requirements of this Code.

Design and Installation Requirements
Chemical dosing equipment shall be designed and installed to comply with the following requirements:

 

·        Dosing pumps shall be regulated to accommodate varying supply or back pressures, and ensure the feed rate remains constant.

·        Control systems with graduated and clearly marked dosage adjustments shall be provided, which are capable of providing flows from full capacity to 10% of such capacity.

·        Chemicals shall not feed into the water if the pumping equipment or power supply fails.

·        Operation of the system shall cease if there is inadequate flow of water through the filtration system that would prevent the chemicals from being properly dispersed throughout the aquatic facility water body.

·        Water shall not be permitted to siphon from the recirculation system to the water treatment solution container.  Water treatment chemicals shall not be permitted to siphon from the solution container into the water body.

·        Make-up water supply lines installed on chemical solution feeder tanks shall have an air gap or other back-flow prevention device.

 

Positioning of Injection Points
Uncovered gravity sand filters and cartridge filters shall have the disinfectant injection point located prior to the filter.

All other filtration systems may have the disinfectant injection point located either prior to, or after, the filters.

Special Requirements for Electrolytic Salt Chlorinators
As a by-product of this process is the production of hydrogen gas, (which could accumulate in a pressure filter,) Electrolytic Salt Chlorinators shall only be installed downstream of pressure filters.

Electrolytic Salt Chlorinators shall be electrically linked to the main circulating pump, to prevent the chlorinator operating when the main circulating pump is switched off.  Where the electrolytic salt cells are not designed to be located above the filter vessel, gas detectors shall be fitted that will terminate the operation of the chlorinator in the event of a hydrogen gas build-up.

As an Electrolytic Salt Chlorinator cannot respond to instantaneous chlorine demand, a back-up automatic chlorine system shall be installed, using gas, liquid or granular chlorine.

Solar Water Heating Systems
Aquatic facilities are increasingly employing solar water heating systems to maximise energy usage. To prevent contamination of the water, these systems need to be designed to appropriate standards.

Solar water heating systems shall comply with the provisions detailed in Appendix 3 of this Code.

            
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