Walking barefoot in the pool changing rooms or around the pool can pose health risks. Let's see how to minimize them. Above all, let's see how to maintain the beach and public areas of the municipal pool.
Risks to prevent
Mainly, the risk is the athlete's foot.
This is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet (dermatophyte). This infection is anything but pleasant. In the most extreme cases, it can even last for several years.
There are other potential health problems. The most important thing, however, is to understand that a poorly maintained sports complex, which includes a swimming pool, can cause health problems.
Where do these hygiene problems come from?
The primary responsibility lies with the sports center's administration. They must ensure that the risks of infection and contamination remain as low as possible. Generally, municipalities are responsible for public sports and aquatic centers. Here is an article on the subject.’maintenance of municipal buildings.
- In some cities, people sleeping on the streets come to shower in the changing rooms early in the morning. They are often disorganized and their belongings are not always clean. odors can be a problem after they pass if no cleaning is done.
- During the day, the aquatic center can accommodate several classes of students. However, these groups do not always have the necessary supervision in the changing rooms.
- In addition, most aquatic centers receive participants at a frenetic pace, at all hours, sometimes as early as 7 a.m. Then, at the end of the day, come the families, couples and single people who wish to swim.
- There are also swimming lessons, every 45 minutes.
There is a constant flow of people arriving and departing in the men's, women's, and family changing rooms. Consequently, it is difficult to maintain optimal cleaning in these spaces throughout the day. Therefore, several cleaning techniques and frequencies must be combined.
How many employees should I expect?
The most important point is having enough cleaning staff. Of course, only one time-movement assessment To answer that question precisely, let's say it depends on the size of the complex, the days and hours of operation. It also depends, of course, on the number of visitors to the aquatic center. However, for a pool open 6 to 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., you need at least 3 or 4 employees.
Indeed, at least one maintenance employee will be needed to cover the entire opening hours of the pool. Furthermore, water tests will need to be scheduled every 3 hours. However, the maintenance staff are not required to perform these tests.
Furthermore, participants remain in the changing rooms for up to approximately 30 minutes after the pool closes. Therefore, cleaning staff must clean the changing rooms after they leave. As a result, the cleaning staff cannot finish at the same time as the aquatic center closes.
Finally, the number of employees can vary depending on the season. For example, in the summer, the opening of the outdoor pools requires the recruitment of new employees for the exterior maintenance of the complex.
Some ways to reduce maintenance problems with the collaboration of athletes
- First, at the entrance to the changing rooms, it's best to have an area where people can remove their shoes. Imagine boots in winter, or shoes tracking in sand and dirt in summer! Having people remove their shoes before entering will therefore reduce dirt in the changing rooms.
- Provide a bin for lost and found items. You'll be collecting socks, towels, and other things left behind by athletes every evening! Also, check the lockers daily to prevent this kind of littering.
- Finally, a footbath between the exit of the changing rooms and the pool deck would also be a good solution.
Recommended cleaning equipment for swimming pools
An aquatic center needs good cleaning equipment. The traditional «regular mop with bristles» is unsuitable, as it only spreads the dirt. The most effective option is, of course, the automatic scrubber. It cleans with clean water, effortlessly, with a good mechanical efficiency.
Then the products to use They must be approved for use in an aquatic environment. They must effectively prevent infections. However, they must not pose a danger, since they are in the same environment as pool products.
It is also appropriate tostore household cleaning products and pool maintenance products in two different locations.
I'm not an expert in pool water testing, so I won't be covering that in this article. Instead, let's look at the equipment and products for the beach, changing rooms, and other areas of a water park.
Public space cleaning equipment
First, an automatic scrubber is essential, and you'll need to choose it carefully. Select one that can clean the pool deck as well as the corridors and other rooms of the aquatic center.
It would also be advantageous to have a small format self-scrubber for the maintenance of the changing rooms. This equipment could also be used for the spectator stands.
We did an article on thespecific maintenance of public showers. Another interesting piece of equipment is a multifunction washing machine.
Finally, careful consideration must be given to the choice of cleaning products. For locker rooms, we suggest biotechnological products, such as the Innu-Science line. This internationally recognized company manufactures its products in Quebec! They are excellent products, safe for the health of both workers and participants.
Contact us
In closing, one article is so little for everything that needs to be considered in the maintenance of a sports and aquatic complex. Do not hesitate to contact us for any advice you need.
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