Swimming Pool Operations and Management

1. Swimming Pool Operations and Management

2. Swimming Pool Operations and Management • The tasks demanding the most employee time at a pool include cleaning and supplying guest services. Thus in many operations, the housekeeping department is assigned the responsibility of managing the property’s swimming pool.

3. Components of a Swimming Pool System • No two systems are exactly alike, but most are designed with similar operating equipment. They include: • Water inlets • Skimmers & skimmer baskets • The main drain and the drain manifold • The main trap • Pumps • Valves

4. Components of a Swimming Pool System • Sight glasses • Pressure gauges • Heaters • Chlorinators • Vacuums

5. Pool Sizes and Shapes • A typical pool size might be about 30,000 gallons • In cold climates, they are usually indoors • Pools can be rectangular, kidney shaped or almost any other shape • There is often a spa associated with the main pool

6. Water Clarity & Filtration • A pool free of particulates will appear to have blue water • There are three types of filters in use: • DE or diatomaceous earth • Cartridge filters • Sand filters • A backwashing cycle reverses water flow and cleans the filter.

7. Spas and Spa Temperatures • Spas are nothing more than small pools • Sometimes they are directly connected to the main pool and thus have no skimmer, but do have a spa dam that empties water into the main pool • Other spas have completely separate plumbing systems from the main pool • Spa temperatures should not exceed 103 degrees Fahrenheit

8. Water Chemistry • Chlorine is the most common sanitizing agent for pools • Bromine is the most common sanitizing agent for spas with separate plumbing systems • Both sanitizing agents oxidize impurities in the water • The pH of water should be between 7.4 – 7.6 in order for the sanitizing agent to work efficiently

9. Water Chemistry • Algaecides are sometimes needed to kill algae that has entered a pool • Every swimming pool owner needs a test kit in order to regularly check the pH, chlorine content, and the hardness of the water • Chloramines are a combination of chlorine and organic material. Pools need to have free chlorine, consequently the pool will be “shocked” to increase the free chlorine

10. Pool Equipment • Pool equipment should be available at poolside, such as: • Brushes with poles • Skimmer net on a pole • Vacuum • Garden Hose • Shepard’s hook • Life ring • Signs with rules and regulations • Fencing around the pool

11. Pool Liability Issues • Diving Boards are a liability • It is permissible to inform guests through signage, that there are no lifeguards on duty and guests are responsible for their own safety. • Children should not be allowed to enter a pool without adult supervision. Pool fences should have gates that small children cannot enter.