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Pool Preparation Guide | American Pool Enterprises, Inc. | www.americanpool.com | 1-877-920-7665 | Copyright © American Pool Enterprises. All rights reserved

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PoolPreparationGuide

http://www.americanpool.com/


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Are you ready?It happens — those tiny check list items slip through the cracks and

something goes wrong. Unfortunately, those tiny items can make a

big impact.

As we prepare for the summer, we want to fill those cracks. That is

why we created a comprehensive Pool Preparation Guide — made

with you in mind.

This 22-page guide will help you make your final checklist before

Memorial Day.

Here’s to a stress-free summer by the pool!



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Make a Contact List

Have a contact list available for

your pool staff. This list will be

specific to your property. Be

sure to include the following

numbers: maintenance

staff, leasing office, property

management office and any

after hours numbers. Be sure

this list is distributed to pool

staff and posted in a common

employee area.

Post Your Rules

Rules should be completed

and distributed to the residents

and pool patrons in advance of

the season. To ensure rules are

followed, post them in a highly

visible area. Give copies to your

pool service representative and

lifeguards. Be sure to also post

the rules in the pool house and

lifeguard break area.



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Meet the Staff

Set expectations for a successful year and review the specifics of your pool’s

opening and closing procedures with your staff. Consider topics such as grass

cutting day and trash day if specific actions are needed. Making a connection with

your staff early on will contribute to a successful season.

Special Events

Events planned in or around the pool should be communicated to the supervisor

and guard staff. Additional staff may be required to secure the health, welfare and

safety of all patrons during the event. Rules about items such as grills and alcohol

should be discussed with your pool service representative prior to any events.



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Field Evaluations

During the pool season, be

prepared to receive field

evaluations from your pool service

representative. These evaluations,

on paper or electronic, will provide

up-to-date information about

your pool. They also provide

opportunities to communicate

ideas, concerns or questions.

Phone Calls

Need to talk to someone about

your pool? Be sure to call the office

number. In-bound phone calls to

the office are often documented,

while calls made to cell phones are

not. Call your pool service 1-800

number instead of individual cell

numbers. Be sure to ask your pool

company about the procedure for

after-hours emergencies.

Surveys

Your pool company may conduct

surveys to collect customer

feedback. Overall, these surveys

help to create a better customer

experience. Take the time to

respond to surveys, and provide

accurate and thoughtful feedback.



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EquipmentFurniture | Guard Stands | Pumps, Motors & Filters



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Furniture

Furniture around the pool should

be evaluated for any damages.

Things like torn straps may cause

cut hazards or falling accidents.

All lounge chair fittings should be

secure. Lastly, each table umbrella

must have a weighted base and

be locked into that base at all

times. Remove or replace any

broken furniture to reduce the

likelihood of a poolside accident.

Guard Stands

It is important that your

lifeguards have a proper chair.

Verify that the guard stand is in

good condition and is properly

elevated. The seat should not

be blistered and the foot-board

should be intact. Remember

to supply an umbrella for the

lifeguard to protect them from

the harsh glare of the sun.



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Pumps, Motors & Filters

Verify that the motor is running properly — if it is generating a loud sound, it

should be evaluated. Catching a motor or any equipment issue in advance may

save time and money. Prior to replacing any equipment in the pump room,

consider upgrading to newer technology that focuses on energy efficiency. Many

pool owners see a return on their energy efficient investment in as little as a year.



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Telephone

You pool phone should be operational and have a loud

external ringer. It is important to verify that blocks are

placed on the phone to eliminate long distance and toll

calling. If you require long distance calling, we recommend

that you consider using an access code system. This will

help you avoid an unexpected spike in your pool phone bill.

Electric, Gas & Water

Verify that all utilities are active and working properly. Hot

water must be available for all showers and sinks in order

to maintain compliance. If your site uses a well or septic

tank, be sure to have it properly inspected. When you turn

your water on, be sure to monitor the system as it may

have been effected by freeze damage.

Bathhouse

Check the roof, doors, locks, windows, floors, walls, lighting,

showers, plumbing, mirrors and interior paint for damage.

The external building should be checked for loose shingles,

peeling paint and cracked windows. All locks should be in

working order. Bathhouse floors should be equipped with

a non-slip surface in the entryway and in high-traffic areas.

Ample supply storage should be provided.



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Safety Equipment

In the pump room, make sure you have a first aid kit, chemical-resistant

gloves, safety goggles and an apron. It should also be equipped with an

eyewash station, mechanical ventilation, proper lighting and drainage.

Check the room for leaks from the plumbing or chemical tanks. If leaks

are observed, call the proper pool personnel since they have received

chemical handling training.

Required first aid kit contents is usually outlined by your county. Be sure

that you kit has the correct supplies. Depending on the size of your

facility, you may require more than one kit. Non-latex gloves should

be stored with your first aid kit to ensure protected treatment of minor

scrapes and scratches.

Additionally, pool sites must have safety tubes with tow line, a safety

hook, life line with floats, a backboard with straps and head immobilizer,

a Bloodbourne Pathogens kit and non-latex gloves readily available.

We are seeing more lawsuits for non-compliance, so be sure that VGB

and ADA compliance items are addressed. Handicap lifts and anti-

entrapment devices must be installed or available on site. Additionally,

AED's have become mandatory in some Maryland counties and new

AED legislation is being considered throughout the country.



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Pool Deck: Deck Surface, Deck Drains

Decks must have the proper slope for drainage and be

free of trip hazards. All joints and cracks must be properly

caulked and drains must be open and in good condition.

During your walkthrough, make notes or take snapshots

for potential off-season renovations and repairs.

Fencing, Gates & Locks

All gates must be self-latching and the latch should be

properly elevated to meet local code. Perimeter fencing

must be secure with no holes or loose ties. The minimum

ground clearance is two inches and the minimum space

between rails is four inches. Your state and/or county codes

may be more stringent, so check your local guidelines.

Lights

If you have in-pool lighting, all fixtures must be operational.

If your in-pool lights are not operational or are abandoned,

there may be compliance requirements that have not been

considered. Contact your local pool professional for the

required disconnect procedure. Additionally, LED lighting is

a great energy-efficient upgrade to your pool.



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Basic Supplies Checklist

Antibacterial soap

Paper towels

Toilet paper

Cleaning tools (mop, broom,

dustpan)

Cleaning disinfectant

Pool tile cleaner

Scrub pads

Rubber gloves (latex free)

Toilet brush

Long garden hose with nozzle

Trash cans

Trash can bags/liners

Bee spray

Granular chlorine for spot cleaning

Extra adhesive bandages

Large plastic bucket

Plastic measuring cup

Glass cleaner



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Communication & Announcements to Residents

Announcements | Weather | The Fun Stuff



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Announcements

Be sure to post and email your

community about important pool-

related items. Items like pool rules,

pool pass policy, summer hours,

scheduled closures and infant-specific

rules will be important to include.

You can also post these on your

community’s website for easy access.

Weather

Do your pool patrons understand the

bad weather procedure? Be sure to

convey the proper safety procedures

for inclement weather. Additionally,

make sure patrons are aware of days

with excessive heat to help prevent

heat stroke incidents.

The Fun Stuff

Your community might offer food

and concessions during certain

hours—make sure your patrons

know the hours and what you are

offering. Post community events

and activities in the pool house. Be

sure to outline acceptable activities

around the pool. Rules regarding

alcohol, trash disposal, pool games

and more may need to be conveyed

to your community.



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Permits &Inspections

County & State Permits | City Operating Permit | Opening Health

Inspection | In-Season Health Inspection



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County & State Permits

Commercial pools typically require

an operating permit from the county

health department. It is the owner’s

responsibility to secure the permit.

Your pool service company may offer

to submit this on your behalf. A yearly

application and fee is required.

City Operating Permit

Some areas have an additional

requirement for a city or township

operating permit. Check with your

pool representative to see if there

are additional permit requirements in

your location.



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Opening Health Inspection

If your local health department requires an

opening inspection, the focus is typically on

the condition of the pool, surrounding area

and equipment. Areas checked include flow-

rate, water disbursement throughout pool, filter

equipment and deck equipment. Inspectors

also check that the swimming pool meets

local building codes, VGB compliance, ADA

compliance, has all required safety equipment

and water testing equipment. Pool buildings

— like restrooms — are also checked for code

violations. The health department will not

schedule an inspection unless your application

and permit fees have been filed.

In-Season Health Inspection

An in-season health inspection focuses on

water quality and safety. Items like chemical

levels, flow-rate and lifeguard certifications

are all checked. Similar inspection procedures

from the opening inspection are repeated.

Learn more about health inspections by

reading the new article, Health Inspector

Friend or Foe in Aquatic Leader magazine >>

http://issuu.com/aquaticleader/docs/spring-2013-aquatic-leader-magazine/10



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TimelineRecreational Add-Ons | How long will it take?



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Recreational Add Ons

Picnic Tables: Create or update a communal space

Grills: A supplement to outdoor community events

Bike Racks: Promote bike riding and accommodate those without vehicles.

Shade Structure: Keep things cooler and your patrons engaged longer

Playground: From swings to modular play environments

Find more information at

www.americanpool.com/play

http://www.americanpool.com/play



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How long will it take?

Often people avoid doing repairs or upgrades

because they don’t want to close the pool for too

long. Here is a basic idea of how long easy repairs

and upgrades might take. The timelines below may

vary based on pool size, equipment, time of year

and schedule availability.

Plaster: One day to prep, one day for bond coating

and one day to plaster. Add 1-3 days to fill the pool

with water depending on the water source.

Filter system: One day to remove the old filter,

and one day to install.

All other repairs: All small repairs can be completed

within the same day or within one business day. This

is entirely dependent on the equipment needed and

when the request is received.

Additional recreation items:

Shade structure: Four days for evaluation, shade

structure selection, ordering and installation (does

not include shipping time).

Playground: Seven days for evaluation, design/

selection, ordering and installation (does not

include shipping time).



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Now You Know!Now that you have absorbed all of this information, it’s time to put it to

work. Add items to your checklist, do some final supply stocking and

take the time to envision improvements (while the weather is beautiful).

Summer will be here and gone in no time, but now you’ll be better

prepared to handle the whirlwind of pool patrons and summer

celebrations.

American Pool welcomes any questions or conversations. :)

Stay safe and enjoy!

americanpool.com




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Aquatic Leader Magazine

Looking for more info to get the season

started right? Read the latest issue of

Aquatic Leader Magazine, our semiannual

publication dedicated to providing timely

information on the swimming pool service

industry. Visit our website to read the issue

online or to request a physical copy.

americanpool.com/aquaticleader

Local Playground Installers

American Pool Enterprises has partnered

with BCI Burke Premier Play Environments

to become your local playground

installers of modular play environments

for all ages. We also provide shade

structures, picnic tables, bike racks and

more. Visit our website to learn more or

to request more information.

americanpool.com/play

http://www.americanpool.com/aquaticleader

http://www.americanpool.com/play


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