QuestionsQuestions (DOH)
They apply to all public swimming or bathing places (including pools, bathhouses, bathing beaches, and natural bathing areas) operated commercially or for public use by owners/operators such as individuals, corporations, partnerships, and government agencies. They exclude private pools, private bathhouses, private bathing beaches, and other private natural bathing areas used only for non-commercial individual/family purposes.
A public place is intended for collective/public use by multiple persons for swimming or bathing, operated by an operator, whether or not a fee is charged. A private bathing place is used only by an individual, his family, or house guests for non-commercial purposes.
Yes. No public swimming pools, bathhouses, or bathing places shall be operated for public use without a sanitary permit issued by the local health officer. Any extension/additional construction or alteration requires a new sanitary permit before operation.
Application/renewal is filed with the city or municipal health office having jurisdiction using EHS Form No. 110. The permit is issued only upon compliance with at least a satisfactory rating based on the Sanitary Inspection of Public Places Establishment Form (EHS Form No. 103-B). Local government fees are paid as set by ordinance.
The permit is valid from the day of issuance until the last day of December of the same year, and it must be renewed at the beginning of each year thereafter.
Upon recommendation of the local health officer, the local health authority may suspend or revoke the permit upon violation of any sanitary rules and regulations.
Yes. The permit must be posted in a conspicuous place for public information and be available for inspection. The city/municipality must keep records of all establishments issued sanitary permits and their renewals, including holder/operator details, location, business type, issuance/renewal dates, management changes, sanitary conditions, and any revocation—available for inspection by authorized officers.
The drinking water supply must comply with Chapter II of the Code and Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. Portions of the water distribution system serving the pool must be protected against backflow. Water introduced into the pool must be supplied through an air gap; if not possible, a suitable backflow preventer must be installed on the discharge side of the last control valve.
There must be no direct physical connection between the sewer system and any drain from the swimming pool or recirculation system. Any pool/gutter drain or recirculation overflow discharged to sewer/storm drain or approved natural drainage must connect through a suitable air gap to prevent backup of sewage or waste into pool piping. The sanitary sewer must discharge to the public sewer system or in a manner complying with the Code’s sewage collection and disposal and drainage provisions.
They must have a separate dressing room and bathhouse for each gender, with facilities for checking clothes. Entrances/exits must be located to break the line of sight. Floors must be smooth, non-slip, impervious, without cracks/joints, and properly sloped to drains for washing. Walls/partitions/lockers must be smooth, impervious, free from cracks/open joints; corners/edges must be smooth and rounded. Partitions must terminate at least 10 cm above the floor. Lockers must be vermin-proof and elevated or based on masonry, and all must be kept clean.
The IRR provides a table specifying minimum counts of water closets, urinals, lavatories, and showers depending on number of persons (e.g., 1–50, 51–100, etc.). For persons over 200, additional scaling rules apply (e.g., one water closet per 75 males and one per 50 females; one urinal per 75 males; one lavatory per 100 males and one per 100 females; one shower head per 50 males and one per 50 females). Fixture schedules increase for school pools with peak loads.
They must have at least one shower for every 50 persons.
A solution containing 0.30 to 0.60 parts per million of available chlorine must be used as a foot wash. Bathers must rinse feet before entering the pool. Foot baths must be located at the exit from showers to the dressing room to spread chlorine over the dressing room floor and increase contact time.
They must have two types of refuse receptacles (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) made of impervious materials with tight-fitting lids that are vermin-proof and easily cleaned. Receptacles should be lined with appropriately colored plastic bags (black for non-biodegradable, green for biodegradable). They must be cleaned after emptying. Storage must be vermin-inaccessible and non-nuisance. Refuse disposal must occur at least once a day (or more as needed). Burying garbage in beach/sand is prohibited, and throwing fruit peelings/food wrappers or garbage into the water is prohibited.
A vermin abatement program must be maintained by operators/administrators. If they fail or refuse to maintain it, the local health agency may show cause the operators/administrators to undertake the work. The procedure and frequency must follow Chapter XVI on Vermin Control of P.D. 856.
Plans and specifications must be submitted to the local health office for review before construction or substantial alteration. Plans must be prepared by a licensed sanitary engineer and submitted in duplicate. The pool/facilities must be built according to approved plans unless written approval of changes is given. The pool cannot be placed in operation until inspections show compliance.