“When I started, they just dropped me in to taking care of the pool, they said ‘take care of it’, and I didn’t know anything.”

We hear this at quite a few hotels.  Given that what we might actually hear is just a fraction of reality, we can extrapolate that this is a situation that is probably very widespread.  We hear it too in so many other public and commercial aquatics facilities.  The theme?  The management attitude that “It’s just a pool.”

Mismanaged facilities can end up costing quite a lot.  Besides the liability potential, there will be increased operating and maintenance expenses as well.  We’ve seen it when we’re called to supply a heater to replace one that’s been corroded out.  Heaters shouldn’t corrode.  If they do, you’re doing something wrong.

Noxious odors?  Customer complaints of burning eyes?  Cloudy water?  Have a broken drain cover?  Manage them or suffer from increased costs and more liability.  (Speaking of Drain Covers – you know they have a limited life, right?  Usually 5 years, though some drain covers are rated for 7 years life.  And, just because a new cover “fits” doesn’t mean it’s legal for use on your drain.) Details, details, details.

There are other costs too – public relations costs.  Customer complaints, bad reviews on travel sites, social media comments, “1-stars”, and other public feedback can drive away business.  “Not knowing” will cost your business.

Lehmann Pools & Spas offers you the tools you need to manage the details of your aquatics facility.  Whether you have a hotel pool, or you run a school facility, apartment complex, manage rental or vacation units, health club, or rehab and therapy pool; Lehmann Pools & Spas has professional services to meet your needs.

  • Aquatics operator training
  • Water testing
  • Management contracts
  • Flow testing
  • Professional service and repairs
  • New equipment installations
  • Professional-grade pool chemicals, including bulk deliveries

Raise the bar on one very visible piece of your location’s offerings.  Professionalize your pool and spa management.  Let us talk with you and show you how we can help. 814-266-2236

 

“Stronger regulation will improve safety.” “This law will keep kids safe.” “Hiring more inspectors will improve safety.”

A recent press release from the CDC proves that safety seems to be just a buzzword in the Aquatics industry. http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0519-public-pools.html. In 5 of the most heavily regulated and frequently inspected states, 80% of facilities had at least one violation. 1 in 8 had “Immediate closure” violations. We know the industry can do far better – not through more regulation, but with the cooperation of operators and facility managers.

Safety comes through a system of multiple processes that work to make sure no single pathway exists that allows problems to go uncorrected. Safety starts with high standards – regulatory codes and industry standards.   Those standards must be followed by multiple layers, multiple checks, procedures, inspections and audits so that no single point of failure progresses to the point of violation, or worse – injury or death.

As a facility operator, it is imperative that you use a systems approach to build adequate layers to recognize deviations, catch errors, and mitigate unsafe situations rapidly – as soon as they occur. Your process must be a 360° process involving operations, finance, logistics, and executive and must include every employee level in your facility to ensure proper plan design and buy-in. It is a written plan – editable, of course, but written.

Layers include:

  • Operator and management training
  • Operating rules
  • Checklists
  • Maintenance procedures and checks
  • Qualification of facility repair personnel
  • Facility “re-open” process
  • Reporting process
  • Recordkeeping
  • Facility audits
    • Internal
    • External

Robust planning and process review will ensure your facility never has a situation that escalates to the point of violation. We recommend taking advantage of programs like those offered by the National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF®) to design your facility’s management system. As NSPF® Instructors, Lehmann Pools & Spas can help.

Pool Operator Class