CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Regulation and Monitoring of Swimming Pools) Rules, 2015 for which gazette notification was issued on July 7, has stipulated that children below eight years of age and of height less than 121.6 cm will be allowed into swimming pools only if they have parental supervision. The consent of parents or guardians should be obtained in respect of children using swimming pools in schools.
The new rules follows the death of a nine-year-old boy, Ranjan, in city-school swimming pool on October 31, 2012. The then Municipal Administration Minister KP Munusamy moved a Bill recommending greater safety-norms for swimming pools following the death of the child. Now, the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department has framed rules for the establishment and maintenance of swimming pools in the State and for ensuring the safety of those using swimming pools. These rules will be applicable to all municipal corporations in Tamil Nadu. No swimming pools can be constructed without permission from commissioners of municipal corporations or the executive authority of the other local bodies.
As per the new rules, persons should produce a self-declaration that he or she is free from chronic diseases like epilepsy, heart disease, severe respiratory illnesses, skin disease, venereal disease, or any other contagious disease, before using the pool.
The rules also specify that life-saving equipment must be kept at swimming pools. A resident doctor must be present within the premises of swimming pools in amusement parks.
The pool manager should not allow any person - (i) to enter the pool if he has not taken a shower and a foot bath in the bathroom provided in the premises; (ii) to enter the pool in any apparel other than the recognized swimwear or the costume trunk; (iii) to enter the pool, if he has consumed alcohol.
In respect of existing pools, the owner or occupier must modify the pools in accordance with the provisions of these rules within two months from the date on which the rules came into force.