Key terms and statutory concepts
- “Department” means the Department of Health.
- “Public swimming pool or bathing place” means a bathing place intended to be used collectively or publicly by a number of persons for swimming or bathing and other recreational purposes, operated by an operator regardless of whether a fee is charged.
- “Operator” means the owner, manager, administrator, or the actual holder of the sanitary permit of the establishment.
- “Sanitary permit” means the written certification by the city or municipal health officer (or, in his absence, the chief/head of the sanitation division/section/unit) that the establishment complies with sanitation requirements upon evaluation/inspection under Presidential Decree Nos. 522 and 856 and related implementing rules and local ordinances.
- “Health certificate” is a written certification, using the prescribed form, issued by the municipal or city health officer after physical and medical examinations and immunizations if deemed necessary, certifying the person is free from communicable/contagious/infectious diseases or any disease that disqualifies the person from working in the establishment.
- “Natural bathing places” include streams, rivers, lakes, beaches, springs, falls, tidal waters, and other natural bodies of water.
- “Lifeguard” means an expert swimmer trained on life-saving procedures employed at a public bathing place to safeguard bathers and prevent drowning.
- “Bather load” means the maximum capacity of a swimming pool/bathing place.
Sanitary permit rules and validity
- No public swimming pools, bathhouses, bathing places, and establishments/facilities shall be operated for public use without a sanitary permit (EHS Form No. 101) issued by the local health officer.
- Any extension, additional construction, or alteration in an establishment requires a new sanitary permit before operation.
- Applications/renewal of sanitary permit must be filed with the city or municipal health office having jurisdiction using EHS Form No. 110.
- A sanitary permit is issued only upon compliance with at least a satisfactory rating using the Sanitary Inspection of Public Places Establishment Form (EHS Form No. 103-B).
- Fees must be paid to the local government unit upon application, renewal, and noting of sanitary permits, and the amount is set through local ordinance.
- If there is a change in ownership, the new owner must apply within 14 working days to have the change noted in the records and permit and must pay the corresponding fee for such noting.
- The sanitary permit is valid from the day of issuance until the last day of December of the same year, and it must be renewed every beginning of the year thereafter.
Suspension/revocation and permit posting
- Upon the recommendation of the local health officer, the sanitary permit is suspended or revoked by the local health authority upon violation of any sanitary rules and regulations.
- The sanitary permit must be posted in a conspicuous place of the establishment for public information and must be available for inspection by authorized health and other regulatory personnel.
- Every city or municipality must keep a record of all establishments issued sanitary permits and their renewals.
- The record must show the actual operator, the establishment location, the nature/kind of business, the date the first permit was issued and dates of renewals, changes of occupation/management, the sanitary conditions under which the permit was issued or renewed, and the revocation of the sanitary permit.
- The record must be available at reasonable times for inspection by any authorized officer of the Department of Health or the local government unit.
General sanitation requirements of operation
- Drinking water supply for the establishment must comply with Chapter II “Water Supply” of P.D. 856, its implementing rules, and must conform to Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.
- Portions of the water distribution system serving the swimming pool and auxiliary facilities must be protected against backflow.
- Water introduced into the pool must be supplied through an air gap; if an air gap is not possible, a suitable backflow preventer must be installed on the discharge side of the last control valve to the fixture/device/appurtenances.
- Handling, storage, and serving of food and drinks must comply with Chapter III “Food Establishments” of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules.
- The sewer system must meet minimum requirements to serve the facility, including bathhouse, locker room, and related accommodations.
- There must be no direct physical connection between the sewer system and drains from the swimming pool or recirculation system.
- Pool overflow or recirculation gutter drain discharge to sewer/storm drain/approved natural drainage must connect through a suitable air gap to prevent sewage or waste backflow into pool piping.
- The sanitary sewer serving the swimming pool and auxiliary facilities must discharge to the public sewer system, or—when absent—must comply with Chapter XVII “Sewage Collection and Disposal, Excreta Disposal and Drainage” of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules.
Dressing rooms and toilet/shower facilities
- Every public swimming and bathing place must have a separate dressing room and bathhouse for each gender and facilities for checking of clothes.
- Entrances and exits of dressing rooms must be located to break the line of sight.
- Dressing and locker room floors must be smooth-finished, non-slip, impervious to moisture, without cracks or joints, and properly sloped to a drain to permit washing.
- Walls, partitions, and lockers must be smooth, impervious, and free from cracks/open joints; if wood or similar materials are used, cracks/joints must be filled and the surface kept finished with paint or other sanitary waterproof coating, with smooth/rounded corners/edges.
- Partitions between dressing compartments must terminate not less than 10 centimeters (4 inches) above the floor to permit flushing of the entire floor area.
- Lockers, when provided, must be either on solid masonry bases at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) high or on legs with the bottom of the locker at least 25.4 centimeters (10 inches) above the floor.
- Lockers must be properly vented and vermin-proof, and all furniture must be of a simple type and made of easily washable material.
- Dressing rooms and appurtenances must be kept clean at all times.
- Toilet and shower facilities must meet the minimum numbers in Table 1 for persons expected at the time of continuous bathing at maximum load; for numbers above 200, one water closet is required for every 75 males and every 50 females, one urinal for every 75 males, one lavatory for every 100 males and every 100 females, and one shower head for every 50 males and every 50 females.
- Fixture schedules must be increased for swimming pools at schools or similar establishments where bather loads may reach peak due to schedule of use.
- All outdoor bathing facilities must have at least one shower for every 50 persons.
- Urinals must be of a type that will not cause splashing on bathers’ legs and feet and must be located so bathers use them before entering showers.
- A foot wash using solutions containing 0.30 parts per million to 0.60 parts per million of available chlorine is required; bathers must rinse feet in that solution before entering the pool.
- Foot baths must be located in the exit from showers to dressing room to spread chlorine over the dressing room floor and increase contact time.
Waste, vermin control, and bather accessories
Public swimming pools and bathing place establishments must provide two types of refuse receptacles or containers made of impervious materials: one for biodegradable and one for non-biodegradable, with the number determined by the local health officer.
Receptacles/containers must have tight-fitting lids/covers, be constructed and maintained as vermin-proof, and be easily cleaned.
Non-biodegradable receptacles must be lined with black-colored plastic trash bags; biodegradable receptacles must be lined with green-colored plastic trash bags.
After being emptied, each container must be thoroughly cleaned inside and outside using water, soap, and brush.
Refuse storage must be made inaccessible to vermin and prevented from becoming rodent attractants/harborage/nuisance.
Refuse storage areas must be maintained clean at all times.
All refuse must be disposed of at least once a day, or more frequently as necessary, through the collection system or any approved method, in a manner that prevents nuisance.
Burying of garbage or solid waste in beach/sand is prohibited.
Throwing fruit peelings, processed food wrappers, and other garbage/solid waste in water is prohibited.
Refuse disposal under Chapter XVIII “Refuse Disposal” of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules must apply to these establishments.
Operators/administrators must maintain a vermin abatement program.
If operators fail, neglect, or refuse to maintain a vermin abatement program, the local health agency must show cause for the operators/administrators to undertake such work.
The local health office must determine and approve the procedure and frequency of the vermin abatement program based on Chapter XVI “Vermin Control” of P.D. 856 and its implementing rules.
Rented bathing suits, towels, linens, and similar articles must be washed with water and soap, thoroughly rinsed with clean water, soaked in boiling water, and dried each time they are used.
Clean suits and towels must be kept strictly separated from used and unlaundered articles and must not be stored on shelves, handled in baskets, or passed out over counters where dirty suits have been placed.
Structural and location requirements
- Public swimming pools, bathhouses, and other public swimming/bathing places must be located only in places/zones assigned for the facility under existing zoning laws or ordinances; if none exist, the local government unit must determine location suitability.
- Swimming pools must be located where airborne contamination by dust, algal spores, leaves, etc. is reduced to a minimum.
- Swimming pools must be at least two (2) meters from the side property line and back alignments and three (3) meters from road alignment.
- Bathing beaches and other natural outdoor bathing/swimming areas are allowed and located only in areas approved by the local health authority upon recommendation of the local health officer.
Plans, inspections, and construction stages
- No person may begin construction of a public swimming pool/bathing place or substantially alter/reconstruct any such facility without first submitting plans and specifications to the local health office for review.
- Plans for new establishments must be prepared by a licensed sanitary engineer and submitted in duplicate copies.
- Applications for permit to construct or renovate must be filed using forms prescribed by the local health office and must include supporting data required for proper review.
- Pools and facilities must be built in accordance with approved plans unless written changes are approved by the local health office.
- The operator must notify the local health office at predetermined stages of construction and at completion of the pool to permit inspection during and after construction.
- A pool may not be placed in operation until inspections show compliance with the rules.
- Plans must be drawn to scale and include sectional views and dimensions, a piping diagram with appurtenances and treatment facilities with elevation data to permit hydraulic analysis, and specifications detailing treatment equipment including catalog identification of pumps, chlorinators, chemical feeders, filters, strainers, interceptors, and related equipment.
- Existing public swimming pools/bathing places operating before issuance of these rules must be evaluated by the local health office concerned.
- Any additional construction/renovation/alteration/improvement in existing establishments must conform to the implementing rules, and owners/operators must submit required plans before issuance of a new sanitary permit.
Core pool construction standards
- Swimming pools and all appurtenances must be constructed of immovable, non-toxic, impervious, permanent and enduring materials with a tight tank and smooth easily cleaned surface, or with a smooth easily cleaned surface with a white or light color finish that can be applied.
- All wall-floor corners must be rounded.
- Sand or earth bottoms are not permitted.
- Pool finish must be white or light colored, non-toxic, smooth, and without cracks or joints bonded to supporting members, except structural expansion joints.
- Swimming pools must be designed and constructed to withstand anticipated loadings for full and empty conditions; a hydrostatic relief valve must be provided in areas with high water table.
- The structural engineer must certify structural stability and safety.
- Complete continuous circulation through all parts of the pool is required; the pool must have a recirculation system with necessary treatment and filtration equipment.
- The minimum water depth is 91 centimeters (3 feet) except for special purpose pools or restricted/recessed areas set aside primarily for children; if such areas are part of the swimming pool proper, they must be demarcated by a safety line supported by buoys and attached to side walls, and wading pools/children facilities separate from the pool are preferred (and may be served by pool recirculation system with turnover rates once every 2 hours).
- The maximum depth at the shallow end may not exceed 107 centimeters (3.5 feet) except for competitive or special purpose pools.
Depth markers, lanes, and inlet/outlet safety
- Pool depth must be plainly marked at/above water surface on vertical walls, on deck/edge at maximum/minimum points, at break between deep and shallow portions, and at 1.50 meters (5 feet) and intermediate 31 centimeters (1 foot) increments spaced at not more than 7.60 meters (25 feet) intervals peripherally; diving areas must have appropriate markings.
- Depth markers must be in numerals at least 10.20 centimeters (4 inches) in height with contrasting color; if wall placement above water level is impossible, other means must be used, and markings must be visible to persons in the pool.
- Lane lines or bottom markings must be at least 25.4 centimeters (10 inches) wide and in a contrasting color.
- Each pool must have an outlet at the deepest point to permit complete and easy emptying, with:
- outlet openings covered by a screen not readily removable by bathers,
- floor screen outlet openings sized so maximum velocity passing the screen does not exceed 46 centimeter per second (1.50 feet per second),
- grate opening minimum 1.30 cm (0.50 inch) and maximum 2.54 cm (1 inch).
- In pools with deep water at or near one end and width greater than 9.10 meters (30 feet), multiple outlets are required spaced not more than 9.10 meters (30 feet) and not more than 4.60 meters (15 feet) from side walls.
- Direct connections with sewer are not permitted; drains from pool to sewers must be broken at a point where any sewage back-up overflows to waste instead of reaching the pool.
- Valves and/or pumps used for draining must be sized to prevent surcharging the sanitary sewer.
- For inlets supplying fresh/repurified water, inlets must produce uniform circulation and prevent deadspots and maintain uniform disinfectant residual.
- Inlets from circulation must be flushed with pool wall and submerged at least 30.50 centimeters (12 inches) below water level.
- Cross-connections between public water system and pool must be eliminated when adding water by pumping make-up water from a pump suction well or by an air gap connection, preferably under a low diving board.
- If shallow portion distance exceeds 4.60 meters (15 feet), multiple inlets must be provided, each serving a linear distance not more than 4.60 meters (15 feet).
- For pools with surface area greater than 148.70 square meters (1,600 square feet) or length exceeding 18.30 meters (60 feet), side inlets must be placed at 4.60 meters (15 feet) intervals around the entire perimeter, and adequate number of inlets must be provided to accomplish complete and uniform disinfectant residual.
- Each inlet must be designed as an adjustable orifice or equipped with an individual gate or similar valve to adjust water volume for best circulation.
Bottom slope, walls, and overflow devices
Bottom slope in portions with depth less than 1.50 meters (5 feet) must not exceed 30.50 cm (1 foot) in 3.70 meters (12 feet) and must be uniform.
In portions with depth greater than 1.50 meters (5 feet), slope must not exceed 30.50 cm (1 foot) in 0.90 meter (3 feet).
Side walls must be vertical for water depth of at least 1.80 meters (6 feet); or vertical for 0.90 meter (3 feet) below water level, below which walls may curve to the bottom with radius not greater than the difference between that point depth and 0.90 meter (3 feet), provided vertical interpretation limits slopes to not greater than 30 centimeters (1 foot) horizontally for each 1.50 meters (5 feet) of side wall (11 degrees from vertical).
Safety ledges in vertical walls in deep portion, when provided, must be not over 10.0 centimeters (4 inches) wide, at least 1.20 meters (4 feet) below water surface, and slope 1.30 centimeters (A12 inch) in 10 centimeters (4 inches) toward the pool.
Overflow gutters are required on pools with surface area greater than 149 square meters (1,600 sq. feet); pools under that area must have either overflow gutters or skimmers.
Overflow gutters must extend around the pool except at steps or recessed ladders; must serve as a handhold.
Overflow gutters must be capable of continuously removing 50% or more of recirculated water and returning it to the filter, connected through a properly designed surge tank.
Gutter/drains/return piping must be designed to rapidly remove overflow caused by recirculation displacement, wave action, or other causes at maximum bathing load.
Gutter opening beneath coping must be at least 10 centimeters (4 inches); interior of gutter must be at least 7.60 centimeters (3 inches) wide and at least 7.60 centimeters (3 inches) deep.
Large gutters must be designed to prevent entrapment of bathers’ arms or legs.
Overflow lip must be rounded not thicker than 6.40 centimeters (2 A12 inches) for the top 5.10 centimeters (2 inches).
Overflow outlet pipes must be at least 5.10 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter; outlet fittings must have a clear opening in the grating at least 1-A12 times the outlet pipe cross-sectional area.
Skimmers, recirculation systems, and user load
Skimmers are allowed for public pools with not more than 149 square meters (1,600 square feet) water surface area when approved handholds are installed and sufficient surface motion is induced by pressure return inlets.
At least one skimming device must be provided for each 46.50 square meters (500 sq. feet) of water surface area or fraction thereof.
When more than one skimmer is required, placement must minimize interference and ensure proper skimming of the entire pool surface.
Handholds must be bull-nosed coping not over 6.40 centimeters (2-A12 inches) thick for outer 5.0 centimeters (2 inches) or an approved handhold; handholds must be no more than 23 centimeters (9 inches) above normal water line.
Skimming devices must be built into the pool wall and must develop sufficient velocity to induce floating oils and wastes into the skimmer from the entire pool surface.
Skimmers must be designed so:
- piping/components are for total capacity at least 80% of required filter flow,
- no skimmer is designed for flow-through rate less than 113.40 liters per minute (30 gpm) or 14.20 liters per minute (3.75 gpm) per lineal inch of weir.
Skimmer weirs must be automatically adjustable and operate freely with continuous action over at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) water level variation, and must develop effective velocity.
Each skimmer must have an easily removable and cleanable basket/screen trapping large solids.
Skimmers must include devices preventing air-lock in suction line; equalizer pipe, if used, must meet specified sizing and placement rules and remain tightly closed under normal conditions while automatically opening when water level drops 5.0 centimeters (2 inches) below lowest weir level.
Skimmers must be made of sturdy, corrosion-resistant materials.
Pools must have a recirculation system (pumps, piping, filters, water conditioning, disinfection equipment, and accessories) that clarifies and disinfects pool volume in eight hours or less, providing minimum turnover of at least three times in 24 hours, except recirculation rate must provide a 6 hours turnover for pools subjected to heavy bather loads.
Piping must minimize friction losses and carry required quantity at maximum velocity not exceeding 183 centimeters per second (6 feet per second); piping must be non-toxic, corrosion-resistant, and withstand operating pressures; pipes must be color-coded or tagged.
The recirculation system must include a strainer to prevent hair/lint from reaching pump/filters; strainers must be corrosion-resistant with openings not more than 0.30 centimeter (0.125 inch), free-flow area at least four times pump suction line area, and be readily accessible for frequent cleaning.
A vacuum-cleaning system must be provided; connections must be located at least 20.30 centimeters (8 inches) below water line.
A rate-of-flow indicator must be installed (preferably on return line) and must:
- read in liters per minute,
- measure flows at least 1.50 times design flow,
- be accurate within 10% of true flow,
- be easy to read.
Pumps must be adequate in capacity to provide required turnovers; whenever possible, pumps must be located to eliminate priming.
If pump/suction piping is above overflow level, pump must be self-priming.
Pumps must support backwashing of filters.
Under normal conditions, pumps must supply recirculation dynamic head of at least 15 meters (50 feet) for pressure sand-type filters or at least 24 meters (80 feet) for diatomaceous earth-type filters.
Swimming pools with heaters must have fixed thermometers in recirculation line at heater outlet and near pool outlet.
Fill and draw pools must keep water clean by complete removal and daily replacement of water.
Flow-through pools must keep water clean through circulation by natural or artificial means, but overflow must be wasted where filtration is not applied.
User loading computation designates pool portion 1.50 meters (5 feet) or less in depth as the “swimming” area.
Swimmer/bather capacity must be computed by providing:
- 0.90 square meter (10 square feet) per non-swimmer at maximum load,
- 2.20 square meters (24 square feet) per swimmer at maximum load,
- 28.00 square meters (300 square feet) reserved around each diving board/platform and excluded from computing swimming section area.
Additional allowance applies for pools with extensive deck areas used by patrons for lounging/sunbathing.
Maximum bathing capacity must be posted conspicuously.
Filter systems: sand-type and diatomaceous earth-type
Sand-type filters (gravity or pressure) must be designed with pressure-sand-type filter fitter rate of 127 liters per minute per square meter (3 gallons per minute per square foot) of bed area at time of maximum head loss and sufficient area to meet design turnover flow.
Sand filter media must include at least 50 centimeters (20 inches) of screened sharp filter sand with effective size between 0.40 millimeter and 0.55 millimeter and uniformity coefficient not exceeding 1.75, supported by at least 25.40 centimeters (10 inches) graded filter gravel.
Anthracite may replace sand if effective size is between 0.60 millimeter and 0.80 millimeter with uniformity coefficient not greater than 1.80.
Reduction in depth or elimination of gravel is permitted only where equivalent performance/service is demonstrated.
Underdrain system must be corrosion-resistant and enduring, with openings maintaining approximately constant area and designed for even collection/distribution during filtration and backwashing.
Provide at least 30 centimeters (12 inches) freeboard between upper filter media surface and lowest portion of pipes/drains serving as overflow during backwashing.
Filter systems must include influent/effluent pressure gauges, backwash sight glass on waste discharge line, and air-relief valves at or near high point.
Filter system must have valves/piping to permit filtering to pool, individual filter backwashing to waste at not less than 611 liters per minute per square meter (15 gpm per sq. ft) of filter area, isolation for repair while others serve, complete drainage, and convenient maintenance/operation/inspection.
Each pressure-type filter tank must include an access opening not less than 28 centimeters by 38 centimeters (11 inches by 15 inches) manhole and cover.
Coagulant addition ahead of filters must have devices with reasonably accurate dosage control features.
Pressure-type filter tanks must be constructed to withstand a pressure safety factor of 4 based on maximum pump shutoff head; shutoff head for design must not be less than 1.02 kilograms per square centimeter (50 psi).
Diatomaceous earth-type filters must provide sufficient filtering area to meet design pump capacity.
Design rate of filtration must not be greater than:
- 81 liters per minute per square meter (2.0 gpm per sq. ft) without continuous body feed, and
- 102 liters per minute per square meter (2.50 gpm per sq. ft) with continuous body feed.
With body feed, the feeding device must be accurate/dependable and capable of continuous feeding adjustable from 2 parts per million to 6 parts per million at design recirculation pump capacity.
Effective filtering surfaces must be used where fabric is used, with no allowances for impaired filtration areas such as broad supports, folds, or bridged portions.
Filters and components must resist significant deformation/deterioration/corrosion/wear affecting operation.
Filter design must preclude introducing appreciable filter-aid into the pool during precoating operations.
Filter types must be constructed of corrosion-resistant suitable materials; pressure-type filters must be designed for minimum working pressure 3.52 kilograms per square centimeter (50 psi) with a safety factor of 4 to 1.
Vacuum-type filters must withstand pressures developed by water weight and, for closed vacuum filters, must additionally withstand crushing pressure under a vacuum of 63.50 centimeters (25 inches) of mercury with safety factor 1.50.
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