MANAGING INFLATABLE HOT TUBS / SPAS
Inflatable Hot Tubs / Spas – Manage Them Safely
Robbie Phillips and Richard Lamburn from STA’s Technical Pool Plant Team take a closer look at inflatable hot tubs and spas, a recent product phenomenon that requires safe risk management, especially when used in a commercial setting
s we enter the summer season sales of hot tubs start to increase and a cheaper inflatable hot tub alternative has emerged on the market over recent years. This month’s article takes a brief look at the associated risks, methods for managing those risks safely and also the new craze of hot tub cinemas.
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THE FACTS • Inflatable hot tubs usually hold a much smaller volume of water; a typical domestic hot tub may hold approximately 1,500 litres, whilst a typical in-ground domestic pool will hold approximately 62,000 litres (10m x 5m x 1.2m dimensions of domestic pool).
• The relative pollution in relation to volume is higher in a spa than a pool.
• A spa is often run at body temperature, higher than a pool.
• The higher the temperature the greater the potential for cosmetic oils, body fats and skin flakes to end up as a solution in the water (food for bacteria). These higher temperatures (body temperature = 37°C!) in spas provide ideal conditions for dangerous
bacteria / organisms to grow if pH and / or disinfection is not controlled finitely.
• Possibly the most important point is that we create air droplets via turbulent water provided by massage jets. These can distribute bacteria like an aerosol.
• Due to the lower volume of water we may build up unwanted chemical residues, which lead to discomfort and can be the cause of skin irritation. Particularly with bromine based disinfectants ‘Bromine Itch’.
For the reasons above it is important that water in these inflatable hot tubs is treated and monitored more closely than pool water. Recommended free chlorine levels would be slightly higher between 3-5 ppm, total active bromine 4-6 ppm, with pH between 7.2 and 7.6.
Furthermore we need to address the problem of higher relative use by bathers and the higher use of chemicals. One of the items to consider is dilution with fresh water; this is often neglected or ignored which can lead to: • A high level of dissolved chemicals • Fats and oils fouling the filter • Reduction in efficiency of the disinfectant • In bromine dosed spas high dimethyl hydantoin levels leading to the aforementioned ‘Bromine Itch’.
WARNING:
“With 20 hot tubs, 120 guests, a licensed bar and waiter service this could easily provide a memorable night out.” (Source: Birmingham Mail)
Hot Tub Cinemas, a memorable evening maybe - but it could be memorable for all the wrong reasons. If these hot tubs are not managed in the correct way and do not comply with the correct guidance as highlighted above, the potential for associated risks is phenomenal. STA offer a wide variety of water treatment and pool plant qualifications, all of which include or can be tailored towards the management of a hot tub or spa.
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
As an industry we need to advise customers properly on how to manage these risks safely. You may have been ill informed and told you do not need to dilute your spa or you only need to check your spa water every week. This is not the case. Water in a regularly used spa should be checked periodically during use and also before and after use; they should also be diluted regularly. Other considerations critical to safe hygienic operation includes risk assessments and suitable documented controls for:
• Testing of disinfectant, pH and reactions to the results to ensure safe recommended levels. It is recommended in the Health Protection Agency (HPA) publication ‘Management of Spa Pools’ that all commercial spas (which inflatable spas for hire would be deemed to be), that a suitable automatic control system should be installed. Owners should be aware of this key fact; however, they should be able to produce a suitable risk assessment should any other method be applied. Testing should be every two hours or before allowing first bathing then during bathing at two hour intervals and at the end of a session. Conditions can change rapidly according to the type of bather, the cleanliness of surrounds – environmental pollution with outdoor spas, whether a pre- bathing shower is possible etc.
• HPA also recommend the regular monthly microbiological testing together with quarterly Legionella testing.
• Cleansing and degreasing of filters normally for smaller spas which are cartridge filters. (Recommended protocols are well documented for sand filters and pre coat types.)
• Cleansing of the spa shells, both physical and chemical to break down and prevent the proliferation of biofilms. For inflatable spas external after close monitoring, with special attention to joints and seals.
• There are also specific concerns regarding control of bathing loads according to design parameters of the spas concerned. The use of domestic spas for commercial operation is a recipe for disaster!
STA 01922 645097
www.sta.co.uk
You may have been ill informed and told you do not need to dilute your spa or you only
need to check your spa water every week. This is not the case. Water in a regularly used spa should be checked periodically during use and also before and after use; they should also be diluted regularly”
SPN June 2015 45
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