Would your pool pass an inspection?

These are the points the self-check covers (enable JavaScript to score them):

1. Record Book up to date

   Is your Sanitary Control Record Book up to date, with results, incidents and corrective measures? It’s the first thing an inspector asks for. Not having it, or keeping it badly, is grounds for a fine on its own, even if the water is perfect that day.

2. Daily routine check

   Is the routine check (pH, residual disinfectant, turbidity, transparency and temperature) done every day and written down? It’s the check that confirms the water treatment is really working, and the regulation requires it daily.

3. Monthly periodic check

   Is the monthly periodic check done, verifying every parameter in the regulation? It’s more thorough than the routine check. After two years of good records in a row you can ask for its frequency to be reduced.

4. Two sampling points

   Are samples taken at at least two points: at the pool inlet and at the area furthest from it? The regulation requires it: the furthest area is where treatment has least effect and a problem shows up first.

5. Initial check before opening

   If the water doesn’t come from the mains, or the pool has been closed for more than two weeks, is the initial check done before opening? It checks the microbiological parameters before opening. If the water is from the mains and the pool hasn’t been closed for more than two weeks, it doesn’t apply.

6. Safety Data Sheets

   Do you have the Safety Data Sheets for every chemical used in maintenance? They’re part of the paperwork worth having organised before the season, not at the last minute.

7. Maintenance contract in force

   Is the maintenance service contract in force? It’s also part of the paperwork that can be requested, along with the Record Book and the safety sheets.

8. Lifeguard qualification on file

   If the pool requires a lifeguard, do you have the paperwork proving their qualification? At shared pools it isn’t optional. A lifeguard without the qualification the regulation requires is a direct legal liability for the community.

9. 2027 professional certificate

   Will the technical staff maintaining the pool hold the professional certificate required from 2027? It’s a new requirement for technical staff, on top of the rest of the paperwork worth keeping at hand.

10. Information visible to users · Decree 99/2024 · Madrid

    Is it on display for users: latest check results, non-compliances and measures, chemicals used, whether there is a lifeguard, pool rules and complaint forms? Decree 99/2024 requires it to be in a visible, accessible place at the facility.

11. Turbidity measurement · Decree 99/2024 · Madrid

    Do you have a kit or turbidity meter meeting UNE-EN ISO 7027-1, always available at the facility? The decree requires it to measure turbidity in the checks (art. 17). Communities of up to 30 homes are exempt from these checks unless the health authority requires them.

12. Seasonal water tests · Decree 99/2024 · Madrid

    Is the initial test planned for the fortnight before opening, then at least one a month per pool? Decree 99/2024 requires it (arts. 12 and 16 and Annex III) of pools subject to checks, including communities of more than 30 homes.

13. Under-12s accompanied · Decree 99/2024 · Madrid

    Do the pool rules state, and is it enforced, that children under 12 can’t enter the pool, poolside or beach area without an adult? Decree 99/2024 sets it: they must be accompanied by an adult.

14. Medical staff (over 500 m²) · Decree 99/2024 · Madrid

    If the water surface exceeds 500 m², is there a nurse or doctor during opening hours? The decree requires it at large facilities (art. 23). It doesn’t apply to communities of up to 30 homes, and at a normal-sized community it usually doesn’t apply.