Best practice aquatic industry guidelines from the NZRA

The New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) has recently released updated Aquatic Facility Guidelines outlining current best practice and industry standards, and providing templates and requirements for managers and operators of aquatic facilities.

Backed by Water Safety New Zealand and Sport NZ, the new guidelines update those last issued in 2010 with contributions and advice from industry personnel.

The scope of the updated Guidelines has been broadened to include a wider variety of aquatic facilities (thermal and spa pools, hospitality and school pools) and special pool features such as hydroslides (waterslides), wave pools, and lazy rivers.

On their website, the NZRA advises “these Guidelines have been produced in electronic form for easy navigation though the information.

“They contain case studies, templates, examples of signage and links to other sources of relevant information.”

The Guidelines can be downloaded and include customised templates to create documents like checklists, normal operating procedures and emergency action plans.

The latest Aquatic Facility Guidelines cover:

Chapter One - Introduction
Introduction and contact details for all organisations relevant to the aquatic industry.

Chapter Two - Health and Safety
Providing  information pertaining to PoolSafe, legislation, risk management and hazard awareness, emergencies, equipment, customer hygiene, faecal incidents and cryptosporidum, common injuries and first aid.

Chapter Three - Customer Care
Covering customer service, satisfaction, education, disability awareness, customer safety code, FAQs from customers, privacy and photography.

Chapter Four - Facility Operations
Includes topics relating to normal operating procedures, supervision of facilities and activities, and communication. Customer requirements, location and equipment issues relating to childcare and fitness suites and gyms are also included as is information specific to the operation of school and community pools, hospitality pools and thermal pools.

Chapter Five - Plant Operation
Information on water quality, water treatment procedures, filtration systems and cleaning.

Chapter Six - Facility Management
Information on asset management.

Chapter Seven - Personnel
Covers legislation, recruitment and selection, training and development, managing staff, staff presentation and protection, problem solving, and information on staff qualification and training.

Chapter Eight - Facility Development
Includes information on the planning process, pool specifications, design and facility upgrades.

Chapter Nine - Legislation and Standards
Listing all New Zealand standards and legislation relevant to aquatic facilities.

The NZRA has also worked with Accommodation NZ  to produce the Accommodation Industry Swimming Pool Guidelines 2016 and the Holiday Parks Association of New Zealand to produce the Holiday Parks Swimming Pool Guidelines 2016.

Click here for more information on these initiatives on the NZRA website.

20th August 2016 - PALMERSTON NORTH HYDROSLIDE RECOGNISED WITH AQUATIC INDUSTRY INNOVATION AWARD

2nd February 2016 - NEW ZEALAND TO DEVELOP NATIONAL FACILITIES BENCHMARKING TOOL

17th February 2014 - NEW ZEALAND’S BIG PICTURE OF ITS AQUATIC, RECREATION AND SPORT FACILITY NETWORK

7th August 2013 - SPORT NZ AQUATIC FACILITIES STUDY SAYS NEW ZEALAND HAS TOO MANY POOLS

1st August 2013 - SPORT NZ RELEASES GUIDELINES FOR AQUATIC FLOORING SURFACES