Model Aquatic Health Code

316 Pages·2014·15.45 MB·English

Model Aquatic Health Code, 1st Edition

Posted on 08/29/2014

This information is distributed solely as guidance for the purpose of
assisting state and local health departments, pool programs, building
officials, the aquatics sector, and other interested parties in
improving the health and safety at public aquatic facilities. This
document does not address all health and safety concerns associated
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this document to
establish appropriate health and safety practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to each use.
MAHC Foreword CODE
ii
Foreword
Swimming, soaking, and playing in water have been global pastimes throughout written
history. Twentieth-century advances in aquatics—combining disinfection, recirculation,
and filtration systems—led to an explosion in recreational use of residential and public
disinfected water. As backyard and community pool use has swept across the United
States, leisure time with family and friends around the pool has increased. Advances in
public aquatic facility design have pushed the horizons of treated aquatic facilities from
the traditional rectangular community pool to the diverse multi-venue waterpark hosting
tens of thousands of users a day. The expansion of indoor aquatic facilities has made
the pool and waterpark into year-round attractions. At the same time, research has
demonstrated the social, physical, and psychological benefits of aquatics for all age
groups.
However, these aquatics sector changes—combined with changes in the general
population, chlorine-tolerant pathogens, and imperfect bather hygiene—have resulted in
significant increases in reports of waterborne outbreaks, with the greatest increase
occurring in man-made disinfected aquatic venues. Drowning continues to claim the
lives of far too many, especially children, and thousands of people visit hospitals every
year for pool chemical-related injuries. The increase in outbreaks and continued injuries
necessitates building stronger public health regulatory programs and supporting them
with strong partnerships to implement health promotion efforts, conduct research, and
develop prevention guidance. It also requires that public health officials continue to play
a strong role in overseeing design and construction, advising on operation and
maintenance, and helping inform policy and management.
The Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) is a set of voluntary guidelines based on
science and best practices that were developed to help programs that regulate public
aquatic facilities reduce the risk of disease, injury, and drowning in their communities.
The MAHC is a leap forward from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s
(CDC) operational and technical manuals published in 1959, 1976, and 1981 and a
logical progression of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program started in 2001. The MAHC
underscores CDC’s long-term involvement and commitment to improving aquatic health
and safety. The MAHC guidance document stemmed from concern about the increasing
number of pool-associated outbreaks starting in the mid-1990s. Creation of the MAHC
was the major recommendation of a 2005 national workshop held in Atlanta, Georgia
charged with developing recommendations to reduce these outbreaks. Federal, state,
and local public health officials and the aquatics sector formed an unprecedented
collaboration to create the MAHC as an all-encompassing health and safety guidance
document. The partnership hopes this truly will lead to achieving the MAHC vision of
“Healthy and Safe Aquatic Experiences for Everyone” in the future.
Atlanta, Georgia
August 2014
MAHC Acknowledgements CODE
iii
Acknowledgments
Creating the MAHC has been a long process starting with the passage of a 2004
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists position statement, the subsequent
2005 national workshop, creation of the MAHC Steering Committee in 2007, recruitment
for the 12 Technical Committees, two public comment periods, and a comprehensive
cycle of editing and revising individual modules and incorporating them into the “knitted”
version. As a result, many individuals have contributed greatly by devoting considerable
time and effort to addressing concerns and developing recommendations that are now
reflected in the MAHC 1st Edition. They brought this key national workshop
recommendation to fruition. These individuals represent a diverse group of public health
officials, educators, aquatics sector leaders, and consumer representatives acting
through their agencies, companies, professional groups, or trade organizations.
It is only through the dedicated efforts and contributions of experienced professionals
that a scientifically sound, well-focused, and up-to-date MAHC is possible. CDC
acknowledges with immense gratitude the substantial assistance of those who
contributed to public health and aquatic safety in the development of the MAHC. They
deserve our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for volunteering their time, energy, and
creativity to create the MAHC. In addition, we would like to also give our thanks to all
the reviewers across the country who provided more than 4,400 public comments and
spent a great deal of time combing through the detail of the MAHC code and annex and
making suggestions for improvement. Their effort was worth the time investment; the
MAHC was greatly improved after each of the two public comment periods.

Steering Committee Assistants
MAHC Steering Committee
Elaine Curtiss
Doug Sackett, Chair CDR Jasen Kunz
Michael Beach Amanda Tarrier
Bart Bibler Lee Tate
Rob Blake
Chip Cleary

Tracynda Davis
Jim Dunn
Steven Goode
Joe Hunsaker
John Linn
David Ludwig
Colleen Maitoza
Chuck Neuman
Charles Otto
Bob Vincent
MAHC Acknowledgements CODE
iv
MAHC Technical Committees

Contamination Burden Facility Maintenance & Operation
Ellen Meyer, Chair
Michael Beatty, Chair

Lee Tate, SC Liaison
Darby van Conover, Vice Chair

Anthony Carotenuto
Lee Tate, SC Liason

Richard Carroll
Susan Campbell

Jose Gonzalez
James Cunningham

Joe Hunsaker
Carvin DiGiovanni

Jeffrey Kosik
Deborah Fennel

John Paccione
Bob Foster

John Weber
Frank Goldstein

Llew Withers
James Hogan

Jeffrey Kosik

John McIlhargy

Disinfection & Water Quality
Garth Miner

Jim Dingman, Chair

David Roberts

Tracynda Davis, Vice Chair

Geoff Rogers

John Linn, SC Liaison

David Schwartz

Terry Arko

Susan Campbell
Hygiene
Jerry Cormier

Ralph Cordell, Chair

Beth Hamil

Tracynda Davis, SC Liaison

Tony Leigh

Scott Bowron

Leon Marquart

Lynita Docken

Bob Pryor

Bruce Flippens

Jeffrey Sloan

Perry Fox

Raj Solomon

Brian Hodges

Duane Stansbury

Dean Hyatt

Terri Stroupe

Robert Jelinek

Roy Vore

Jodi Jensen

Ted Kelly

Facility Design & Construction
Carl Nylander, Chair
Lifeguarding/Bather Supervision
Colleen Maitoza, SC Liaison

Kathryn Scott, Chair

Chris Baugh

Roy Fielding, Vice Chair

Scott Bowron

Doug Sackett, SC Liaison

Benny Burleson

Richard Carroll

Cory Cloward

Dewey Case

Keith Cooper

James Cunningham

Bob Foster

Patrick Daugherty

Michael Grimes

John Hunsucker

James Hogan

Daniel Jones

Robert Jelinek

Stephen Keifer

Peter Jen

Frank Pia

Alvaro Mendoza

William Rich

Randy Mendiorez

Kay Smiley

Rob Morgan

Darby van Conover

Paul Sisson

Jill White

Lee Tate
MAHC Acknowledgements CODE
v
Monitoring & Testing Regulatory Program
Vince Hill, Chair Administration
Diane Miskowski, Vice Chair Frank Guido, Chair
Bob Vincent, SC Liaison Tom Vyles, Vice Chair
Neal Bloomenrader Tracynda Davis, SC Liaison
Scott Bowron Scott Bowron
Kevin Boyer Neal Bloomenrader
Jason Hammond Scott Coughlin
Tom Metzbower Gary Fraser
John Pinckney Madeleine Gelsinon
Joe Sweazy Clyde Hegerfeld
Christopher Tate Tressa Madden
Robert Tuttle Daryl Matzke
Tom Vyles
Risk Management & Safety
Operator Training
Amy Duck, Chair
Dennis Berkshire, Chair Kelly Bernish, V Chair
John Whitmore, Vice Chair Amanda Tarrier, SC Liaison
Doug Sackett, SC Liaison Maria Bella
Wayne Crokus James Cunningham
Tracynda Davis Carvin DiGiovanni
Tom Donaldson Claudia Duncan
Lorraine Forston Lee Engvall
Connie Harvey Chris Gordon
Michele Hlavsa Chevelle Glymph
Dean Hyatt Jason Hammond
Steve Kraft Janina Jarvis
Colleen Maitoza Karin Mack
Mark Pabst Ellen Meyer
Carl Ralph Robert Morgan
Kay Smiley Mick Nelson
Raj Solomon Barry Rice
Joe Stefanyak Kay Smiley
Greg Stockton
Mansoor Yasin Ventilation & Air Quality
Franceen Gonzales, Chair
Recirculation Systems & Filtration
Richard Cavestri, Vice Chair
James Amburgey, Chair Doug Sackett, SC Liaison
Roy Fielding, Vice Chair Chip Blatchley
Chuck Neuman, SC Liaison Susan Campbell
Michael Beatty Lilia Chen

Susan Campbell Keith Coursin

Joe Carpenter Jim Dunn

Barry Gertz Kevin Dunn
Mike Fabiani Mike Groves
Garth Miner Michele Hlavsa
David Schwartz TJ Liston
Kimberly Walsh John McIlhargy
Mansoor Yasin Mark Moore
Chuck Neuman
MAHC Acknowledgements CODE
vi
Jeff Radue Funding
Steve Vehige
CDC
CDC Foundation

Other Technical Committee

National Swimming Pool Foundation

Members

Arch Chemical/Lonza

Steve Ashworth

Brian Freber

Steve Hawksley

Ron Robol

CDC Employees & Contractors
Kate Awsumb

Michael Beach

Molly Berkery

Maggie Byrne

Robert Blake

Staci Close, Contractor

Elaine Curtiss, Contractor

Julie Gilchrist

Michele Hlavsa

Heather Horton

Jon Kennon

CDR Jasen Kunz

CAPT Charles Otto

Montrece Ransom

Gouthami Rao, Contractor

Teresa Sims, Contractor

Pam Wigington
MAHC Table of Contents CODE
vii

Table of Contents
Foreword......................................................................................................................................... ii 

Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................... iii 

Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... vii 

1.0  Preface ................................................................................................................................ 44 

1.1  Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 44 

1.1.1  Rationale .................................................................................................................. 44 

1.1.2  Need for Further Guidance .................................................................................... 44 

1.1.3  Responsibility of User............................................................................................. 44

1.1.4  Original Manufacturer Intent ............................................................................... 44 

1.1.5  Local Jurisdiction.................................................................................................... 45 

1.2  Recreational Water-Associated Illness Outbreaks and Injuries ...................................... 45 

1.2.1  RWI Outbreaks....................................................................................................... 45

1.2.2  Significance of Cryptosporidium............................................................................. 45 

1.2.3  Drowning and Injuries ........................................................................................... 45 

1.2.4  Pool Chemical-Related Injuries............................................................................. 45

1.3  Model Aquatic Health Code ............................................................................................ 45 

1.3.1  Background ............................................................................................................. 45 

1.3.2  MAHC Vision and Mission .................................................................................... 46

1.3.3  Science and Best Practice ....................................................................................... 46 

1.3.4  Process...................................................................................................................... 46 

1.3.5  Open Access............................................................................................................. 47 

1.3.6  Updating the MAHC............................................................................................... 47 

1.3.7  Authority.................................................................................................................. 47

1.3.8  CDC Role ................................................................................................................. 47

1.3.8.1  Public Health Role ............................................................................................. 47 

1.3.8.2  Model Guidance ................................................................................................. 47 

1.4  Public Health and Consumer Expectations ..................................................................... 47 

1.4.1  Aquatics Sector & Government Responsibility ................................................... 47 

1.4.2  Swimmer Responsibility ......................................................................................... 48 

1.5  Advantages of Uniform Guidance ................................................................................... 48

1.5.1  Sector Agreement.................................................................................................... 48 

1.5.2  MAHC Provisions ................................................................................................... 48 

1.5.3  Aquatic Facility Requirements .............................................................................. 49 

1.6  Modifications and Improvements in the MAHC 1st Edition ........................................... 49 

1.7  MAHC Adoption at State or Local Level ........................................................................ 49 

1.7.1  MAHC Adoption at State or Local Level ............................................................. 49

1.7.2  Conference for the Model Aquatic Health Code .................................................. 49 

1.8  The MAHC Revision Process.......................................................................................... 50 

1.8.1  MAHC Revisions..................................................................................................... 50
MAHC Table of Contents CODE
viii

1.8.2  Future Revisions...................................................................................................... 50

2.0   User Guide.......................................................................................................................... 51

2.1  Overview ......................................................................................................................... 51

2.1.1   New Users ................................................................................................................ 51

2.1.2   Topic Presentations................................................................................................. 51 

2.2  MAHC Structure and Format .......................................................................................... 51 

2.2.1  Numbering System.................................................................................................. 51

2.2.2  Title, Keyword, Phrase Text .................................................................................. 52

2.2.3  MAHC Requirement .............................................................................................. 52 

2.2.4  Illustrations .............................................................................................................. 52 

2.2.5  Consistency Between Chapters 4.0 and 5.0 .......................................................... 52

2.2.6  Conventions ............................................................................................................. 52

2.2.7  Definitions................................................................................................................ 52 

2.3  Annex............................................................................................................................... 53 

2.3.1  Rationale .................................................................................................................. 53 

2.3.2  Content..................................................................................................................... 53 

2.3.3  Bibliography ............................................................................................................ 53

2.3.4  Appendices............................................................................................................... 53 

3.0  Glossary of the MAHC Code and Annex ............................................................................ 54

3.1  Acronyms and Initialisms Used in This Code and Annex............................................... 54 

3.2  Glossary of Terms Used in This Code and Annex .......................................................... 56 

4.0  Facility Design Standards and Construction...................................................................... 70 

4.1  Plan Submittal.................................................................................................................. 70 

4.1.1  Plan Submittal......................................................................................................... 70

4.1.1.1  Purpose............................................................................................................... 70 

4.1.1.2  Conform ............................................................................................................. 70

4.1.1.3  Approved Plans .................................................................................................. 70

4.1.1.4  Plan Preparation ................................................................................................. 70

4.1.1.5  Required Statements ........................................................................................... 70 

4.1.2  Content of Design Report....................................................................................... 71 

4.1.2.1  Basis of Design Report....................................................................................... 71 

4.1.2.1.1  Names / Addresses ......................................................................................... 71 

4.1.2.1.2  Site Information ............................................................................................. 71

4.1.2.1.3   Plot Plan......................................................................................................... 71

4.1.2.2  Plans and Specifications ..................................................................................... 71 

4.1.2.2.1   Drawings........................................................................................................ 71

4.1.2.2.2   Venue Attributes ............................................................................................ 71

4.1.2.2.3   Area Design ................................................................................................... 72 

4.1.2.2.4   Venue Recirculation and Treatment Design .................................................. 72 

4.1.2.2.5   Equipment Room Design ............................................................................... 72 

4.1.2.2.6  Chemical Storage Space Design .................................................................... 73 

4.1.2.2.7   Hygiene Facility Design ................................................................................ 73 

4.1.2.3  Technical Specifications .................................................................................... 73
MAHC Table of Contents CODE
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4.1.2.3.1  Accompanying Drawings............................................................................... 73 

4.1.2.3.2  Technical Details ........................................................................................... 73 

4.1.2.3.3  Water Sources ................................................................................................ 73

4.1.2.3.4   Area and Volume ........................................................................................... 73

4.1.2.3.5   Theoretical Peak Occupancy.......................................................................... 73 

4.1.2.3.6   Equipment Characteristics and Rating ........................................................... 74 

4.1.2.3.7   Recirculation Rate and Turnover ................................................................... 74 

4.1.2.3.8   Filter Media .................................................................................................... 75

4.1.2.3.9   Equipment Specifications .............................................................................. 75 

4.1.2.3.10   Safety Equipment Specifications ................................................................. 75 

4.1.2.3.11   Other Specifications ..................................................................................... 75 

4.1.3   Plan Approval ......................................................................................................... 75

4.1.3.1   New Construction............................................................................................... 75

4.1.3.1.1   Approval Limitations ..................................................................................... 75 

4.1.3.1.2   Other Approvals............................................................................................. 75 

4.1.3.1.3   Plan Review Coordination ............................................................................. 75

4.1.3.1.4   Plan Review Report ....................................................................................... 76

4.1.3.1.5   Plans Maintained............................................................................................ 76 

4.1.3.2   Non-Substantial Alterations ............................................................................... 76 

4.1.3.2.1   Alteration Review .......................................................................................... 76 

4.1.3.2.2   Alteration Scope............................................................................................. 76 

4.1.3.3  Replacements ..................................................................................................... 76

4.1.3.3.1   Replacement Equipment Equivalency ........................................................... 76 

4.1.3.3.2  Replacement Approval ................................................................................... 76 

4.1.3.3.3   Emergency Replacement ............................................................................... 76 

4.1.3.3.4  Replacement Record Maintenance ................................................................ 77 

4.1.3.3.5   Documentation ............................................................................................... 77 

4.1.4  Compliance Certificate........................................................................................... 77

4.1.4.1  Construction Compliance Certificate ................................................................. 77 

4.1.4.2  Certificate Preparation ........................................................................................ 77

4.1.4.3  Certificate Statement .......................................................................................... 77 

4.1.4.4  Systems Commissioning .................................................................................... 77 

4.1.4.5  Maintenance ....................................................................................................... 77 

4.1.5  Construction Permits.............................................................................................. 77

4.1.5.1  Building Permit for Construction ....................................................................... 77

4.1.5.2  Remodeling Building Permit .............................................................................. 78 

4.1.5.3  Permit Issuance .................................................................................................. 78 

4.1.5.4  Permit Denial ...................................................................................................... 78 

4.1.5.5  Documentation ................................................................................................... 78 

4.2  Materials .......................................................................................................................... 78 

4.2.1  Pools ......................................................................................................................... 78 

4.2.1.1  Construction Material......................................................................................... 78 

4.2.1.2  Durability ........................................................................................................... 78 

4.2.1.3  Areas Subject to Freezing .................................................................................. 78 

4.2.1.4  Darker Colors ..................................................................................................... 79 

4.2.1.5  Competitive Pools .............................................................................................. 79 

4.2.1.6  Design Parameters .............................................................................................. 79