Facility Design
Considering safety factors is a critical component in the facility design process. The Lifesaving Society offers consultation services to owners/operators on the design of new aquatic facilities and renovations to existing sites. The Society can often identify design features that directly compromise public safety, as well as, limit the ability of lifeguards to effectively supervise patrons.
The Society has conducted research and developed extensive experience in identifying and solving aquatic facility design problems. These solutions not only make the facility safer, but can also reduce the operating cost of the facility.
The largest operating cost of an aquatic facility is staffing. A design decision that increases the number of lifeguards required to adequately supervise the facility will have a costly long term impact on the cost of operation.
Design consultation is one of the safety management services offered by the Lifesaving Society. It makes sense for the facility owners/operators and designers to invest in a facility design consultation. The benefits outweigh the small cost of evaluating and adapting the facility design to ensure that it is safe and cost effective to operate. For more information about designing safe aquatic facilities, consult the Lifesaving Society or refer to the following information.
Suction and Entrapment Hazards
Facility Lighting
Colour of Pool Bottoms and Walls
Lifeguard Friendly Pool Design
Barrier Free Design Guide
FINA Standards for Diving Boards, Starting Blocks and Platforms
Facility Operation
The Lifesaving Society is often consulted to help aquatic facility staff address facility operational concerns and to establish safe operational practices. This consultation usually occurs after the facility has been built or renovated and often focuses on solving safety and operating problems created by the facility design.
The Society can be consulted on specific areas of concern or can be contracted to conduct a more comprehensive Aquatic Safety Audit. The Society bases it's recommendations on the Society's research, standards, reference materials, expertise and experience.
Operations consultation will benefit owners/ operators of aquatic facilities, as well as organizations who may not operate aquatic facilities, but need aquatic safety management services to establish safety practices for aquatic activities and outings. This may include levels of government, health authorities, community groups, and private individuals or companies.
A common example includes schools, youth groups and sport groups who need to establish a lifeguard system when contracting a lifeguard at special events in an aquatic settings. Another example involves establishing safe working practices for aquatic work environments.
For more information or to request an operations consultation, contact the Lifesaving Society.
Facility Signage Consultation
The Lifesaving Society has extensive expertise in identifying and assisting facilities to meet signage requirements identified in regulations, legislation and standards. The Society can assist in creating signage that is well designed and placed to support facilities and/or staff in providing patrons with important information about the facility and its rules.
Within the Aquatic Facility Signage Consultation, the Lifesaving Society provides recommendations and support for minimum signage requirements as well as signage placement. Public education is an integral part of preventing injuries and incidents from occurring at a facility. Having signs which are accessible, up to standard and well-located ensure that key information about a facility is communicated to the public.
For more information or to request a Facility Signage Consultation, contact the Lifesaving Society.
Safety and Supervision Plan Review
The Lifesaving Society has extensive expertise in reviewing Safety and Supervision Plans and assisting facilities to meet regulations, legislations, and standards applicable to their community. The Society can review existing Safety and Supervision Plans and provide feedback on how to improve the plan and/or assist in creating a comprehensive Safety and Supervision Plan to assist facilities.
Within the Safety and Supervision Plan Review, the Lifesaving Society provides recommendations and support for minimum policy and procedure requirements as well as additional best practice recommendations. Safety and Supervision Plans are a requirement of the Alberta Health Pool Standards. Having a Safety and Supervision Plan that is up to standard, accessible, and which staff are trained on is crucial for staff orientation and on-going training. For more information or to request a Safety and Supervision Plan Review, contact the Lifesaving Society.
