Poolside Emergency Phones Can Help Save Lives!

A swimming pool is fun and relaxing for the whole family, but it brings a variety of safety concerns to attention. Many states require pool areas to have two-way voice communication systems. This ensures that in the event of an emergency, assistance is only a push of a button away! Viking emergency phones offer cost effective, easy solutions for your poolside safety concerns. All 1600A Series phones meet ADA requirements for elevator/emergency telephones. The phones can dial up to 5 emergency numbers (of your choice), as well as 2 central station numbers if Central Station Monitoring is used. For outdoor or harsh environments, select 1600A Series phones are available with EWP (Enhanced Weather Protection) . EWP products are ideal for swimming pool areas - where heat and humidity are always an issue! Every EWP product features rubber gaskets and boots, silicon sealed connections, gel-filled butt connectors, as well as urethane potted circuit boards with weather sealed, field-adjustable trim pots and DIP switches for easy on-site programming.

Pool Phone Laws by State

The following is a list of states (in alphabetical order) requiring pool emergency phones. If your state is not listed it does not mean you are exempt. Please check with your local health department for guidance.

IMPORTANT: State laws change periodically and we make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness contained in this document.

ARIZONA

CITY OF PHOENIX

Sec. 24-20. Supervision of bathers; emergency equipment

(h) A telephone must be provided at each pool with signs indicating its location.  Hospital and doctors' telephone numbers shall be posted adjacent to the phone.

ARKANSAS

A.C.A. 20-7-109, and A.C.A. 20-30-103

F. Telephone for Emergency. All pools shall have telephone service conveniently available on the premises. A clearly visible listing of emergency phone numbers – to include the nearest emergency and medical services – shall be posted next to the telephone.

CALIFORNIA

Proposed Regulation R-17-03A April 2006

65540 Safety and First Aid Equipment.

(a) The following safety and first aid equipment shall be provided and maintained, readily visible and available for use in the pool area at all times:

(2) An operating telephone.

CONNECTICUT

Department of Public Health

Public Health Code 2000

(16) Emergency Telephone.  There shall be a telephone or other suitable device for emergency communication readily available in the immediate vicinity of each pool. This telephone or device shall be on the premises where the pool is located.

DELAWARE

26.715 Safety Equipment –

All pools shall have the following safety equipment which shall be easily accessible:

a. A telephone, within or immediately adjacent to the pool fence or room, with appropriate emergency numbers posted nearby. Pay telephones are acceptable if they do not require coins in an emergency. In lieu of a telephone, a manually activated emergency alarm system that alerts someone else to dial the telephone is acceptable. All of the above must be able to send and receive calls.

GEORGIA

Chapter 290-5-57 Swimming Pools, Spas and Recreational Water Parks

(c) A telephone which is hard wired and affixed with posted names and  phone numbers of the nearest available police, fire, ambulance service and/or rescue unit, and/or 911, if available.

IDAHO

Administrative Code IDAPA 16.02.14

197. HEALTH AND SAFETY - EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION

A means of contacting emergency medical services shall be readily accessible and be provided on the premises.

ILLINOIS

Section 820.310 Safety Equipment

c. Emergency Telephone and Emergency Contact List. A telephone shall be accessible in the vicinity of the swimming pool, in or within 300 feet of the pool enclosure. At a multilevel facility, the emergency telephone shall be located within three levels of the level or which the pool is located. The telephone numbers of the local police, State Police, fire department, physician, ambulance service, and a hospital or 911 where applicable shall be posted in a conspicuous place near the telephone. The name, address and telephone number of the swimming pool shall be listed by the telephone. The location of the emergency telephone shall be posted in the swimming pool area unless the telephone is located in the pool area.

INDIANA 

410 IAC 6-2.1-34

(e) A telephone shall be located within two hundred (200) feet of the pool enclosure and must be available for emergency use with the following emergency telephone numbers posted within view:

1.  911

2.  Ambulance or rescue unit

3.  Hospital

4.  Police station

5.  Fire department

IOWA

Dept of Public Health - 641-15.4 (4) Safety f(6) 

Except for wading pools and spray pads, each swimming pool where lifeguards are not provided shall have a designated emergency telephone or equivalent emergency communication system that can be operated without coins.  The communication system shall be available to users of swimming pools when the swimming pool is open.  When the telephone is not within the confines of the swimming pool enclosure, the location of the emergency telephone shall be posted in at least one conspicuous place within the swimming pool enclosure.  Instructions for emergency use of the telephone shall be posted near the telephone.

At each swimming pool where lifeguards are employed, a telephone shall be available to the swimming pool staff for emergency purposes. 

KENTUCKY

Section 14. Safety Equipment

 (10) All facilities shall have a non-pay telephone on the premises which is readily accessible and conspicuously located; for isolated facilities two (2) way radio communication systems to a manned telephone system may be substituted. The telephone number of a police, fire department, emergency medical service, or a hospital shall be posted in a conspicuous place near the telephone.

LOUISIANA

Title 51

PUBLIC HEALTHCSANITARY CODE

Part XXIV.

3. a telephone with posted names and phone numbers of nearest available police, fire, ambulance service and/or rescue unit, and/or 911, if available;

MARYLAND

10.17.01.40

B. Telephone. An owner shall insure that, in case of an emergency, a telephone is available within the pool or spa enclosure to individuals using a public pool or spa that:

1. Can directly reach a 911 emergency service without the use of a coin and without connection to an internal switchboard;

2. Is posted with:

            a. The names and phon numbers of the nearest available police, fire, and ambulance or rescue unit; or

            b. 911 or with any numbers necessary to reach a 911 emergency service center directly; and

3. Is posted with the name and location of the pool or spa facility.

MASSACHUSETTS

105 CMR:  Department of Public Health

435.25: First Aid Equipment and Emergency Communications

(2) An emergency communication system which at a minimum would allow convenient, immediate and toll-free communication with emergency medical services, local police, state police and the local fire department, must be in working order and available at each pool. The telephone numbers of the emergency medical services, local police, state police and fire department, as well as any instructions necessary to operate the communication system shall be posted in a conspicuous place near the communication device or station. The location of the emergency communication device must be in an area that is unlocked and available to both the staff and the public at all times.

MICHIGAN

(7) A telephone or other suitable means of communication for emergencies shall be located in any of the following areas.

Within the pool enclosure.

In a room adjacent to the pool enclosure which is kept open at all times that the pool is open for use.

In another located approved, in writing, by the department.

MINNESOTA

4717.1250 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE LOCATION.

A pool with a lifeguard present must have a telephone in or  immediately adjacent to the pool area.  When a telephone is  provided, the emergency number must be posted.  When a telephone  is not located in the pool enclosure, a sign placed in plain  view must indicate the location of the nearest telephone  available to a pool user and the emergency number.

MISSOURI

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

2.24.9 B. Emergency Telephone and Emergency Contact List. A telephone shall be accessible during all hours of operation in the vicinity of a public water recreation facility or within a 300 foot walking distance from an entrance to swimming facility enclosure. At a multi-level facility, the emergency telephone shall be located within three levels of the level on which the swimming facility is located. The telephone numbers of the local police, fire department, physician, ambulance service, and a hospital, or 911 where applicable, shall be posted in a conspicuous place near the telephone. The name, address and telephone number of the swimming pool facility shall be listed by the telephone. The location of the emergency telephone shall be posted in the swimming pool facility unless the telephone is located in the pool area.

NEBRASKA

011.04   All pools must have a really accessible telephone with emergency telephone numbers prominently posted. Drills in handling emergencies should be conducted at appropriate intervals.

NEVADA

NAC 444.248  Required facilities (NRS 439.200, 444.070)

1.  Sanitary facilities must be provided in proportion to the anticipated bathing load. These must include:

Toilet and hand washing facilities and dressing rooms clearly marked for each sex; a safe and approved water supply; and drinking fountains, soap, and toilet tissue.

2. Conveniently located rubbish containers must be provided. These containers must be emptied whenever   necessary and be kept in a sanitary condition. 

3. Where night bathing is permitted, adequate lighting must be provided for the bathhouses and bathing area.

4. There must be telephone connections and transportation facilities available for emergency use.

[Bd. Of Health, Public Bathing Places Reg. Art. 46 §§ 46.4-46.6 & 46.11, eff. 5-21-74]

NAC 444.268  Posting information on artificial respiration and emergency services.

NRS 439.20044.070  Diagrammatic illustrations of artificial respiration procedures must be posted at all public bathing or swimming facilities where they are clearly visible from the nearby deck and protected from  the elements. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the location and telephone number of the nearest ambulance, hospital, fire or police rescue service, physician and facility operator must be kept similarly posted together with instructions that, in case of need, manual or mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration should be started immediately and continued until a physician arrives or mechanical resuscitators are applied. A telephone must be located in the vicinity of the pool enclosure, but outside of the enclosure. In lieu of the emergency telephone numbers described in this section, the number for the emergency 911 service may be posted if that emergency service is available in the geographical area of the public bathing or swimming facility.

[Bd. Of Health, Public Bathing Places Reg. Art. 38 §§ 38.8.6, eff. 5-21-74] – (NAC A 11-1-88; 1-16-96)

NAC 444.530   Notices which must be posted. (NRS 439.200, 444.070)

1. Placards directing behavior of bathers must be prominently posted in locker rooms, offices, showers, toilets or elsewhere about the spa enclosure.

2.  A sign must be posted in the immediate vicinity of the spa, stating the location of the nearest telephone with the    information that emergency telephone numbers are posted on or near the telephone.

3.  Emergency telephone numbers must be posted on or near the telephone and must include:

The name and telephone number of the police , fire and rescue unit responsible for serving the spa.

The name and telephone number of the nearest available physician.

The name and telephone number of the nearest ambulance service.

The name and telephone number of the nearest available hospital.

In lieu of the telephone numbers listed in paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, the number for the emergency 911 service if that emergency service is available in the geographical area of the spa.

[Bd. of Health, Public Spa Reg. Art. 3 §§ 3.1.4 + Art. 28 §§ 28.5-28.5.4, eff. 11-27-79]-(NAC A 1-16-96)

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Env-Wq 1104.03 Safety

(c) Subject to (d), below, the owner of a public bathing facility shall ensure that a telephone or radio capable of reaching emergency services shall be located within 200 feet of the water of the public bathing facility.

(d) The owner of a common interest bathing place, designated beach, or flow-through bathing place shall ensure that:

(1) A telephone or radio capable of reaching emergency services is located within 200 feet of the water; or

(2) If a telephone or radio capable of reaching emergency services is not located within 200 feet of the water, then a sign is posted informing patrons of the location of the nearest public telephone or radio capable of reaching emergency services.

(e) The signs required by (a), above, shall provide the location of the telephone or radio required by (c), above.

NEW JERSEY

8:26-5.3   Emergency equipment for swimming pools

(a) Swimming pools shall be provided with the following readily accessible emergency equipment:

 6.   A telephone, radio, signaling device, or other health authority approved means of communication shall be located near the lifeguard station for emergency use. Commercial pay telephones shall be permitted for this purpose provided that coin deposit is not needed to access emergency assistance. Emergency numbers of the nearest rescue squad, physician, ambulance, police department, hospital, clinic, or other appropriate entity shall be posted in a weather-resistant display, adjacent to the telephone.

NEW MEXICO

7.18.2

E. Plans shall include the location of emergency telephones, which may be either within the public pool enclosure or at an adjacent support facility, that are accessible at all times the pool is open.  When an emergency telephone is located within an adjacent support facility, the owner shall indicate on the plans how the telephones can be accessed during operating hours and how the public will be notified of the emergency telephone location.

NORTH CAROLINA

NC department of Environment and Natural Resources T15A:  18A.2500

.2530  Safety Provisions

(e)  Effective April 1, 2000 a telephone capable of directly dialing 911 or other emergency notification system shall be provided and accessible to all pool users within 300 feet of the pool.

OHIO

(I)  A telephone shall be available within five hundred feet of each public swimming pool, public spa, and special use pool with a posted list of emergency numbers. The licensee shall ensure that the telephone is available at all times the pool or spa is open for use.

OKLAHOMA

310: 320-3-1

(h) telephone. A telephone to reach emergency assistance without the use of coinage shall be accessible to the pool during all house of operation.

310: 320-3-4 Safety provisions

Emergency telephone numbers, Every bathing place shall provide, immediately adjacent to its telephone a selected list of current telephone numbers for available doctors, ambulance services, hospitals, and police or fire department rescue squads.

SOUTH CAROLINA

(f)  A toll free telephone or other device to notify emergency personnel must be available in the pool area (within 200 feet and no greater than 3 floors) with a list of emergency telephone numbers, to include ambulance. The location must be specified on the pool rules sign.

TENNESSEE

Public Swimming Pools

Chapter 1200-23-5

(Rule 1200-23-5-.02)

(r) Telephone for Emergency. All pools shall have telephone service on the premises which can be accessed with the use of coins. A list of clearly visible emergency phone numbers to include the nearest emergency and medical services shall be posted next to the telephone.

TEXAS

Excerpts from Title 25. Health Services Part 1. Texas department of Health Chapter 265. General Sanitation Subchapter L. standards for Public Pools and Spas.  A copy of the complete standard may be found at http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/beh/gs/poolrules.doc

(j)  Telephones at post-10/01/99 and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas. Post-10/01/99 and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas shall have a telephone that is capable of immediately summoning emergency service and that is readily accessible within 200 feet from the pool or spa water. Any other electronic means of summoning emergency service will qualify as a telephone if clear instructions for its use are provided by signage. A telephone that is answered by an on-site office does not meet the requirements of this subsection. The following shall apply to telephones for post-10/01/99 and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas:

(1)  The telephone may be located inside or outside of the pool yard or spa yard if the enclosure  entry gates and doors of the pool yard or spa yard are never locked in any manner, or the gate or fence is not more than 4 feet 4 inches tall.

(2) The telephone shall be located inside or outside of the pool yard if the pool is a Class A or B pool.

(3) The telephone must be located outside of all other pool yards or spa yards if all of the following occur:

(A) The entry gate(s) or door(s) are locked on either side of the gate or door.

(B) The enclosure entry gates and doors and the enclosure fences and walls are all higher than 4 feet 4 inches.

(C) The pool or spa is operated in conjunction with:

lodging such as hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, or mobile home parks;

a property owners association, private organization, or club;

a school, college, or university while being operated for academic or continuing education classes, or

practice event (excluding competition events in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph).

(4)  Each entry gate and door of a pool yard or spa yard that is locked must have a sign on the exterior of the gate or door or on the exterior of the enclosure fence or wall immediately adjacent to the gate or door, stating the location of the telephone outside of the enclosure and complying with the content and letter size of the paragraph (5) of the subsection if:

(A) the telephone is located outside the pool yard of Class A or B pool; or

(B) the telephone is required to be located outside the pool yard or spa yard under paragraph (3) of this subsection.

(5) Regardless or where the telephone is located or whether the gate(s) or door(s) are locked, a sign must be installed inside the pool yard or spa yard in plain view of the pool or spa and state in letters at least 1 inch high: “In case of emergency, call 911.” If the telephone is not readily visible from the pool or spa, the sign inside the pool yard or spa yard shall include a concise description of the location of the telephone.

VIRGINIA

Prince William County

Sec. 25. 1-27 Safety and rescue equipment; other safety features.

Every public or semi-public pool shall be equipped with the following aids to safety and rescue which shall be readily accessible at all times:

(3) A readily accessible room or area, with telephone, designated and equipped for emergency care of casualties.

WASHINGTON

(23) Owners shall provide first aid facilities in ever RWCF including:

A telephone with prominently displayed list of emergency medical service response numbers.

WEST VIRGINIA

§ 64-16-11 Safety Requirements.

11.4. Telephone service shall be available at the pool or bathing beach and emergency phone numbers for rescue agencies shall be posted.

WISCONSIN

HFS 172.05(4)

(h) Telephone. For outdoor pools a working telephone shall be available in the pool area. For indoor pools a working telephone shall be available within the enclosed area around a pool. The department may approve under s. HFS 172.02 (2) an alternative location for a telephone or another system of communication. A current list of emergency numbers shall be attached to or posted near the telephone.

WYOMING

(viii) A telephone shall be available on the premises and an emergency rescue phone number shall be posted in view of the telephone.