16 | Regulation 61-51
18. Rate of Flow Indicator. Every public swimming pool must be provided with a rate of flow indicator
located on the discharge line from the filters. Rate of flow indicators must be accurate to + or - 5% and
installed according to manufacturer’s instructions. Dimensions must be shown on the schematic diagram,
indicating the actual location of the rate of flow indicator. The rate of flow indicator must be calibrated for
and provided with a scale reading in gallons per minute and shall have an upper range at least ten (10)
percent above the maximum design flow rate. The scale resolution of the meter must fall within the design
flow of the system. The activating element of the flow indicators must be installed in the filter effluent line.
The flow meter must be mounted in a location such that it can be easily read.
19. Heater. Heaters, where used, shall be installed and operated in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations and local building codes to include proper ventilation. The heater design must be such
that it will not affect the minimum required design flowrate. A thermostat control must be provided with
an automatic cut-off for an upper limit of 104 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Solar panels may be used as
a pool heater provided that the materials used in the solar panels must be non-toxic and acceptable for use
with potable water. Data verifying the material is non-toxic must be submitted to the department for review
and approval at the time the application is made. Pools equipped with solar panel heaters shall have a fixed
thermometer mounted in the pool recirculation line downstream from the heater outlet. All equipment and
appurtenance used to operate a solar panel heater must meet the applicable portions of R.61-51.
20. Pump and Motor. Pumps and motors under five (5) horsepower must be National Sanitation
Foundation (NSF) approved or must be equally listed by a Testing Lab approved by the Department. The
pump and motor must be of adequate size and capacity to provide the required pool turnover rate and should
be located so as to eliminate the need for priming. If pump or suction piping is located above the overflow
level of the pool, the pump must be self-priming. The pump and motor must be designed to supply, without
overloading, the required design rate at a total dynamic head sufficient to overcome the friction losses in
the piping, appurtenances, and the maximum headloss through the filter(s). Unless headloss calculations
are provided by the designing engineer, pump design must be based on an assumed total dynamic head of
fifty five (55) feet of water. All pumps must be provided with a corrosion-resistant strainer to remove solids,
debris, hair, lint, etc. Pool pump motors must have a directly accessible on/off switch within three (3) feet
horizontal distance of the pump(s). Pump(s) shall not be activated by a panel circuit breaker. All pumps
shall be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). A device for regulating the rate
of flow may be provided in the recirculation pump discharge piping.
21. Water Treatment. Equipment for halogen disinfection (chlorine, bromine) must be provided on all
pools. This equipment must be approved by and bear the seal of the National Sanitation Foundation. The
equipment must be of such capacity to feed one (1) pound of free available chlorine per ten-thousand
(10,000) gallons of pool volume per twenty-four (24) hour period in all pools. The equipment must be
operable at all times that the recirculation system is in operation. This equipment must be installed in
accordance with the approved manufacturer’s instructions. The equipment manufacturer’s name and model
number of chemical feeder, as well as the size and number of feeding tanks must be furnished. All chemical
feed pumps must be wired directly to the recirculation pump such that when recirculation flow stops
chemical feed is halted. GAS CHLORINATION IS NOT PERMITTED. No chemical may be manually fed
while the pool is open for operation. Supplemental water treatment systems may be approved on a case by
case basis. Chemical feed containers for use with liquid feed systems, in excess of fifteen (15) gallons, must
be provided with spill containment and must be clearly labeled. A detailed drawing must be included on
the project plans. Ultraviolet (UV) or ozone disinfection may be added to any pool in addition to the
minimum required disinfection.
22. Separate System. Each individual pool constructed must have its own pump, motor, filter,
disinfection equipment, piping, etc., such that it is a complete unit and not dependent upon any other
recirculation system, except as provided otherwise in these regulations. Separate recirculation systems are