Using the MAHC

Note: all MAHC Section numbers have been updated to reflect 2016 MAHC section numbers.

• Recirculation Systems and Filtration
  • Improved flow meters (accurate to +/- 5%) (MAHC 4.7.1.9.1 & 5.7.1.8)
  • Interlocks between chemical  feeders and recirculation system upon adoption (MAHC 4.7.3.2.1.3; 5.7.3.5.1.2; & 5.7.3.7.1.2)
  • Automatic feeders upon adoption (MAHC 4.7.3.2.7.1; 5.7.3.5.1; & 5.9.2.4.1)
  • Automated controllers within 1 year from adoption (MAHC 4.7.3.2.8 & 5.7.3.7.1)
• Hygiene Facilities
  • Required diaper-changing stations (sink, etc.) (MAHC 4.10.4.5 & 5.10.4.5)
• Disinfection and Water Quality
  • Combined chlorine reduction (MAHC 5.6.2.8)
  • Cyanuric acid prohibited in spas and therapy pools for years after adoption (MAHC 5.7.3.1.3)
  • Requirements for existing gaseous chlorine disinfection systems (MAHC 5.7.3.1.4.1)
  • Check disinfectant/pH levels
    • prior to opening aquatic facility (MAHC 5.7.5.1)
    • every 4 hours for automated controllers (MAHC 5.7.5.3);
    • every 2 hours for disinfectant feeders with no automated controller (MAHC 5.7.5.2)
  • Body fluid contamination response (MAHC 6.5)
• Facility Maintenance and Operation
  • Water replacement of 4 gallons/bather/day for control of organic/inorganic contaminants, which is generally met by backwashing losses(MAHC 5.6.7.4.2)
• Operator Training
  • Delineates operator training  qualifications (MAHC 6.1.1.1) and course essential topics (MAHC 6.1.2)
  • Required on-site (MAHC 6.3.1.1), off-site (MAHC 6.3.1.2) operator staffing requirements by venue type upon adoption.
• Lifeguarding/Bather Supervision
  • Lifeguard training course content (MAHC 6.2.1.1)
  • Required CPR training every year (MAHC 6.2.1.3.5)
  • Required lifeguard supervisor training  course content (MAHC 6.2.2)
  • Delineates facilities requiring lifeguards (MAHC 6.3.2)
  • Required Safety Plan including staffing, zones of patron surveillance, rotation, supervision, emergency action plan (MAHC 6.3.3)
  • Lifeguarding zones of patron surveillance now performance-based with performance criteria (MAHC 6.3.3.1.1)
  • Lifeguard supervisor required (MAHC 6.3.4.4)
• Risk Management/Safety
  • Required preventive maintenance plan (MAHC 5.4.2.1.1)
  • Employee illness (MAHC 6.3.4.7)
  • Daily or other inspection checks (MAHC 6.4.1.3)
  • Defined imminent health hazards for closure (MAHC 6.6.3)
  • Starting platforms must be removed, covered, or blocked from use during all recreational or non-competitive swimming activities (MAHC 5.8.3.1.2)
  • Hardwired phone or system for emergency (MAHC 5.8.5.2.1.2)
  • Enhanced signage requirements (MAHC 6.4.2.2)
  • Swimmer empowerment requirements (MAHC 6.4.2.3)
  • Posting pool inspection scores (MAHC 6.4.2.3.2)

• Facility Design and Construction
  • Prohibition of wood, earth, or sand as an interior finish on aquatic venues (MAHC 4.2.1.10)
• Recirculation Systems and Filtration
  • Incorporation of water type (flat, agitated, hot) in aquatic venue design for “Theoretical Peak Occupancy” (MAHC 4.1.2.3.5)
  • Decreased filtration flow rate used in design
    • No more than 15 gallons/min/ft2 of surface area for bed depth of 15 inches or more (MAHC 4.7.2.2.3.1 & 5.7.2.1.1)
    • No more than 12 gallons/min/ft2 of surface area for bed depth of less than 15 inches (MAHC 4.7.2.2.3.1.1 & 5.7.2.1.1.1)
  • Increased backwash rates to no less than 15 gallons/min/ft2 of surface area (MAHC 4.7.2.2.3.2 & 5.7.2.1.2)
  • Interlocks between chemical feeders and recirculation  system upon adoption (MAHC 4.7.3.2.1.3; 5.7.3.5.1.2; & 5.7.3.7.1.2)
• Disinfection and Water Quality
  • Secondary disinfection on increased risk venues (MAHC 4.7.3.3.1.2)
  • Interior chemical storage spaces must be under negative pressure and must exhaust to exterior (MAHC 4.9.2.5)
  • Prohibition of gaseous chlorine disinfection systems (MAHC 4.9.2.11)
• Risk Management/Safety
  • Design needs to include consultation with owner/aquatic risk manager and address the layout of zones of patron surveillance (MAHC 4.5.1)
  • Fencing to 6 ft. (MAHC 4.8.6.2.4.2), chain link fence with 1.75 inch mesh (MAHC 4.8.6.2.1.2)
  • Eye wash stations required near chemical storage area (MAHC 4.9.2.1.4)
• Hygiene Facilities
  • Hygiene facility distance from pools; 300 ft. for general venues, 200 ft. for kiddie pool (MAHC 4.10.2)
  • Rinse showers required at aquatic venues (MAHC 4.10.4.3)
• Lifeguarding/Bather Supervision
  • Any new pool over 5 feet in depth at any point will require a lifeguard from the date of acceptance of the code (MAHC 6.3.2.1)