Temperatures are soaring high this summer and it is time when many of us might want to relax by spending time in swimming pools. But before you plunge into the community pool around you, take a minute to see if your pool follows the safety measures prescribed by Indian Plumbing Association (IPA). The guidelines were published under the Uniform Swimming Pool Code - India (USPC-I) after the tragic Bengaluru incident where a 11-year-old student died in a pool after his hand got stuck in the air duct of the pool.
“While swimming pools are known as places for leisure and pleasure, not many are aware that they can also be potential death traps. This is because there is inadequate or lack of adherence to safety standards,” says Sudhakaran Nair, president of Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), the apex national body of plumbing industry in the country.
Realising the dire need for a technical publication which contains all the guidelines, the Technical Committee of IPA, comprising some of the top plumbing and mechanical engineering professionals of India, edited and modified the IAPMO’s Uniform Swimming Pool and Spa Code to suit the Indian needs.
In USPC-I, they noted down all the practical tips for construction of safe swimming pools, also complying with other international standards such as the publication of Swimming Pool & Allied Trade Association (SPATA), apart from the American code, Nair pointed out.
Realising the need for safety in swimming pool Sudhakar Gudi from SRR Aqua Systems, a swimming pool construction company, has made his own set of rules that he adheres to when he constructs a pool. “While constructing community swimming pools, I keep in mind that not only professional swimmers but also those who don’t know swimming will also be using it. The pool should be constructed in such a way that swimmers should be able to walk out out of the pool easily. Ideal depth of pool is three to four and a half feet,” informs Sudhakar.
While the height of the pool is one concern, he says the pool should have a proper filtration system too. This will keep water clean and any activity happening in the water will be clearly visible. Apart from that, he advises the pool owners to have life guards.
Guidelines by IPA
Community swimming pools should not be more than 1.2 metre deep. Water depth in pools for use by children should be restricted to 0.45 to 0.60m.
There are clear stipulations for restricting velocities in pipe work, especially the ones serving the drain/outlet fittings usually installed at the floor of the pool. The drain/outlet fixtures are directly connected to the suction of re-circulation pumps. If the fixture or the pipe connecting it to the pump suction is inadequately sized, dangerously high velocities (suction forces in this case) can occur at the fixture on floor of the pool.
The fixtures should be of anti-vortex design and must be covered with secured gratings. There should be a minimum of two such outlet fixtures, each designed for full design flow rate. Swimmers get tempted to fiddle with these outlet fixtures to enjoy the sensation of the vortex effect. In the event the fixture or the connecting pipe gets partially or fully blocked, suction effect could increase to dangerously high levels. A second fixture on the floor of the pool will help overcome this danger to a large extent.
There are sophisticated but relatively inexpensive devices such as ‘Safety Vacuum Relief System’ (SVRS), which can prevent such accidents.
In case of an emergency, opening of a drain valve in the plant room of the pool near the pump, will empty the pool in a very short time.
The pool should have adequate surface and underwater lighting, safe and easy means for entry and exit to the pool, proper filtration and disinfection of pool water.
If one needs a professional advice, they can contact IPA anytime.