Due to a power outage event recently at a facility I had visited and as winter is fast approaching, I thought it might be a good topic for a blog.
Just what is the procedure for a power outage say at an indoor swimming pool or a pool with no natural light sources? Not all facilities I have found are equipped with working emergency lighting or have a backup generator that automatically kicks in during a power outage. Proper protocol and emergency lighting become even more important when dealing with an indoor swimming pool; so, what are the protocols & procedures at your facility?
Here are a few questions you might ask yourself:
- Are the staff trained on what to do during a blackout or power outage?
- Are there procedures in place to safely get people out of the pool and locker rooms?
- Are maintenance staff trained on which circuit breakers to shut off during a power outage so as to possibly avoid expensive repair bills due to a power surge?
- What equipment is vulnerable to a power surge? Equipment with circuitry (PCBs) tend to be the most vulnerable. Equipment such as UV systems, circulation pumps, heaters, chlorine generators & computers all can be damaged due to a power surge and I have even seen light bulbs pop.
- When was the last time emergency lighting was tested for functionality and is it adequate?
- What is the procedure for getting swimmers safely out of the swimming pool and or locker rooms if there is no emergency lighting or the emergency lighting fails to work?
These are just a few questions I would ask myself. It is also not a bad idea to have flashlights & secondary 120v plugin emergency lighting readily available and positioned in easy to get at areas. Glow sticks are a great way to illuminate a pathway to safety or stairways in some circumstances.