Compliance with pool safety regulations
City of Toronto operated swimming pools comply with Ontario Regulations (565, 50/07) and Pool Safety Standards that have been developed to ensure the safety of pool users.
Pool Safety Standards in place to prevent incidents with swimming pool circulation systems include
As required in Section 19 of the Regulation, pools with submerged suction outlets must be equipped with one of the following anti-entrapment devices:
A minimum of two outlets per pump with pipe centres at least 920 cm (3 feet) apart with covers listed, approved, installed and in accordance with American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/A112.19.8 performance requirements;
Anti-entrapment covers, on all suction outlets other than the skimmer(s), listed, approved and installed in accordance with ASME A112.19.8M performance requirements and flow through the drain grate which does not exceed 1.5 feet per second;
A Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) that relieves suction when a blockage is detected and that is installed to meet the performance standards of the ASTM International F2387 and/or ASME/ANSI A112.19.17s;
Drains which are at least 46 x 59 cm (18 by 23 inches) in size; (as based on torso size of 99th percentile male, weighing 244 pounds), or
If approved by the executive officer, alternative anti-entrapment devices or solutions may be implemented which:
comply with Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards
are approved by a professional engineer
The responsible person must ensure that all anti-entrapment devices are properly installed and in good working order.
The responsible persons must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of an executive officer that no entrapment or entanglement risk exists in the operation of a pool.
As part of the legislation requirements the city inspects the safety features of the city's pools and guards on an ongoing basis.
City-run wading pool injury prevention systems
Wading pools have a fill valve and a drain valve. There are no pumps that would create a suction. The centre chamber in our wading pools cover the actual drain grate, and provides 4 openings that would steer the water to the grate which is drained leaving virtually no draw/suction to harm a user.