c. Bather Load.
(1) Overcrowding of a pool can create a health problem. The bather
load is a way to determine whether the pool is overcrowded or not. The maximum
bather load is based upon 27 square feet of pool surface for each bather at the
pool. A good estimate is that only three-quarters of the total number of swimmers
will be in the water area at one time. This allows 36 square feet of water area for
each person actually in the pool. The inspector can easily check whether the
bather load is acceptable by calculating the bather load for the pool undergoing
the inspection and then comparing it to the standard of 36 square feet per person
actually in the pool.
(2) To check the bather load, multiply the pool length by the pool width
to find the pool area. Then divide the area by 3/4s of the bathers present, and
compare the result with the standard.
(3)
The following is an example:
The pool size is 63 feet wide and 82 feet long. There are 146
bathers present.
Multiply length by width to find the pool area in square feet.
63 X 82 = 5166 square feet.
Find 3/4s of 146 to determine the number of bathers actually in
the pool at one time.
3/4 X 146 = 110.
Divide the area by the number of bathers in the pool at one time.
5166 110 = 47 (after rounding off)
The bather load is 47 or 47 square feet of water area for
each person in the pool. This is well above the allowance
of 36 square feet of water area per person actually in the
pool. The bather load in this example is acceptable.
d. Inlets and Outlets. When inspecting inlets and outlets, the primary hazards
to look for are cross-connections, defective circulation of chlorinated water, and rough
surfaces or other defects that endanger the health of bathers.
MD0166
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