<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".40" citation="COMAR 10.17.01.40" title_num="10" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="01" heading="Public Pool and Spa Safety.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>First Aid and Lifesaving Equipment. An owner shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A recreational pool is provided with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A first aid kit as recommended by the American Red Cross;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A face mask for CPR;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Disposable medical grade examination gloves;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A bloodborne pathogen control kit;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>A backboard designed for medical emergency use that is equipped with straps and head immobilizer;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>A light, strong rescue pole not less than 10 feet long; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>A rescue tube designed for lifesaving for each required lifeguard;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Except as set forth in §A(3) of this regulation, a public spa is provided with the safety equipment required in §A(1)(a)—(e) of this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A semipublic spa is provided with the safety equipment required in §A(1)(a)—(d) of this regulation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A semipublic pool is provided with a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Light, strong rescue pole not less than 10 feet long; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Ring buoy or similar approved floatation device with an attached throwing rope measuring 50 feet in length or 1-1/2 times the width of the pool, whichever is longer.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Telephone. An owner shall ensure that, in case of an emergency, a telephone is available within the pool or spa enclosure to individuals using a public pool or spa that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Can directly reach a 911 emergency service without the use of a coin and without connection to an internal switchboard;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Is posted with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The names and phone numbers of the nearest available police, fire, and ambulance or rescue unit; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>911 or with any numbers necessary to reach a 911 emergency service center directly; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Is posted with the name and location of the pool or spa facility.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Lifeguard Chair.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An owner shall ensure that a recreational pool is equipped with lifeguard chairs in compliance with the American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An owner may use a deck-level lifeguard chair in a designated area on the deck adjacent to shallow water instead of an elevated lifeguard chair.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Lifeguards.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An owner of a public pool shall comply with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Local codes requiring lifeguards if the requirements of the local codes are stricter than the requirements set forth in §D(2)—(5) of this regulation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>§D(2)—(5) of this regulation if no local codes exist, or if the local codes requiring lifeguards are not as strict as the requirements of §D(2)—(5) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Except as set forth in §D(1) and (3) of this regulation, an owner of a recreational pool shall have at least one lifeguard on duty on the deck observing the pool while an individual is in the pool, and shall have at the pool:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Lifeguards who are appropriately trained and certified for the type of facility and activity in the pool;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A sufficient number of lifeguards so that a lifeguard is on duty for each group of 50 individuals, or fraction thereof, in the pool; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>In addition to the number of lifeguards required in §D(2)(b) of this regulation, additional lifeguards on duty if:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The shape, dimensions, layout, use, activities, or features of the pool create potential safety hazards;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The vision of the required lifeguard or lifeguards is obstructed;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The capabilities of the individuals using the pool are substandard; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Another condition exists that compromises the ability of a lifeguard to monitor the pool.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An owner may use a lifeguard on the deck of a swimming pool to monitor an adjacent wading pool, but if a wading pool is the only pool at a facility or if the wading pool cannot be observed from the deck of the swimming pool, the owner shall ensure that lifeguards are provided at the wading pool in accordance with §D(1) and (2) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>In addition to meeting the other requirements of this chapter, an owner or operator of a facility specified in the following paragraphs shall ensure that a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Limited public-use pool has water safety supervision for pool activities in compliance with Regulation .15 of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Child care center has water safety supervision for pool activities at a child care center in compliance with COMAR 07.04.02.41; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Youth camp has water safety supervision for pool activities at a youth camp in compliance with COMAR 10.16.06.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The owner may only use or employ a lifeguard who holds a valid lifeguard certification from:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The American Red Cross;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Boy Scouts of America, not including a lifesaving merit badge;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The Young Men's Christian Association;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Ellis and Associates' National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Training; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>An organization that has a lifeguard training program equivalent to the American Red Cross lifeguard training.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Except as set forth in §D(1) and (3) of this regulation, an owner of a semipublic pool that has a water surface area greater than 2,500 square feet or that is part of a multiple pool facility within one enclosure that has a combined water surface area greater than 2,500 square feet shall ensure that at least one lifeguard is on duty on the deck observing a pool in the ratio of one guard per 50 individuals in the water:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>During the peak seasonal use of the pool from Memorial Day to Labor Day; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>During the use of an indoor, heated pool throughout the entire year.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>CPR and First-Aid Personnel. Except at a semipublic spa, an owner of a recreational pool, public spa, and a limited public use pool shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>When the pool or spa is open for use, an individual is present and on-site, holding a valid certification for:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Infant/child/adult or professional rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>First aid; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The CPR and first aid certifications of the individual required in §E(1) of this regulation are from:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A national organization offering certification in CPR or first aid, such as the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>American Red Cross;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>American Heart Association; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>National Safety Council;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Emergency Medical Services; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>An organization that has a certification program in CPR or first aid that is approved by one of the organizations listed in §E(2) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Safety Signs. An owner of a public pool or spa shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The size, color, design, application, symbol, and visual layout of a safety sign is in compliance with the ANSI Z-535 series of standards for Safety Signs and Colors as referenced in American National Standard for Public Spas;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A spa safety sign is posted in a permanent location adjacent to a spa in compliance with the American National Standard for Public Spas;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The spa safety sign includes the user load of the spa;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A chemical warning sign is posted at the entrance door to a chemical storage area and includes the text “Caution! Chemical Storage Area”;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A chemical vat, feeder, pump, and line is labeled to identify the chemical in use;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A chlorine gas warning sign reading “Danger—Chlorine Gas” is posted at the entrance to a chlorine gas feed room and storage area;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Other warning, health advisory, and safety signs are posted if necessary to protect the public health and safety, for example, “Danger! No Diving In Shallow Water”;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>A semipublic pool or public spa that does not have a lifeguard on duty has a conspicuous sign posted adjacent to entrances to the pool or spa reading “WARNING; NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY. YOUR OWN RISK.&lt;/U&gt; WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION.”; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>House rules are posted at the entrance to a pool or spa.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>