The 2024 Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) has been published.
This is the fifth edition of the comprehensive model code, which covers aquatics issues ranging from design and water quality to facility management and lifeguarding. Written for commercial aquatics venues, the MAHC only takes effect in those jurisdictions that adopt it as part of state or municipal code.
Among the changes:
• The MAHC now specifies that manufacturers dictate the upper operating range for chlorine products. It also now states that water with cyanuric acid levels of 300 parts per million or more requires immediate remediation.
• The code now covers artificial swimming lagoons as special venues and includes design, construction, operation and maintenance standards.
• Three health hazards were added to the list of those requiring immediate closure of a body of water: failure to provide interlock controls and flow meters/flow switches/pressure switches or the improper operation of those systems; failure to prevent unauthorized access to pool chemical storage spaces; and free chlorine greater than 10 ppm when bathers are present.
• Portable slides are prohibited at facilities that must comply with the 2024 MAHC. The change was made because a portable slide’s location is not fixed, and the water depth, landing area and clear spaces are not ensured.
• Single-pass splash pads now are included among interactive water-play aquatics venues, making them subject to the applicable design and construction standards, as well as facility operation and maintenance requirements for interactive water-play aquatic venues.
• Clock now must be visible to all spa bathers in order to comply.
• Two qualified lifeguards must be present and available to respond to emergencies in aquatics facilities with a single zone of patron surveillance.
