CHAPTER 444 - SANITATION

NAC 444.440 Structural design. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. The structural design and materials used in constructing a public spa must meet generally accepted structural engineering practice and provide a sound, durable structure which will safely sustain all the dead loads, live lo…

NAC 444.442 Steps, ladders, treads and handrails required. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Spa steps, ladders or recessed treads must be provided when the spa is more than 2 feet (61 cm) deep. 2. A spa must be equipped with at least one handrail (or ladder equivalent) for each 50 feet …

NAC 444.444 Spa steps and recessed steps. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) Where required, spa steps and recessed steps must meet the following specifications: 1. Step treads must have a minimum unobstructed horizontal tread depth of 10 inches (25.40 cm) and a minimum width of 12 inches (3…

NAC 444.446 Recessed treads. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) Recessed treads, when provided, must meet the following specifications: 1. Stepholes must be: (a) Uniformly spaced, not more than 1 foot (30.48 cm) nor less than 7 inches (17.48 cm) apart at the centerline. (b) At least 5 inches…

NAC 444.448 Ladders. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) Where required, ladders must meet the following specifications: 1. Spa ladders must be made entirely of corrosion-resistant materials. 2. Ladder treads must have slip-resistant surfaces. 3. Ladder designs must provide two handholds or h…

NAC 444.450 Handholds. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. A public spa must be provided with suitable handholds around the perimeter in areas where the spa is more than 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) deep, measured from the deepest point of the spa floor to the waterline. 2. Handholds must be s…

NAC 444.452 Miscellaneous requirements. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. The surface finish of all public spas, including the bottom and sides, should be light-colored material and must present a smooth surface which can be easily cleaned and which has no cracks, openings, seams or expa…

NAC 444.454 Decks: Dimensional design. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. A continuous unobstructed deck at least 4 feet (1.22 m) wide, including the coping, must be provided around at least half of the perimeter of the spa. Deck and wall junctures must be coved with a minimum of 4 inches…

NAC 444.456 Decks: Surfaces. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Decks, ramps and similar surfaces, including step treads, must be reserved for the use of bathers only, and be slip resistant. 2. Roughness or irregularity of slip-resistant surfaces must not cause injury or discomfort under …

NAC 444.458 Hose bibs. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) One or more hose bibs must be provided within 50 feet (15.24 m) of the facility for use in cleaning the deck area and above, and they must be located so that they do not constitute a safety hazard. [Bd. of Health, Public Spa Reg. Art.…

NAC 444.460 Drinking fountains. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) A drinking fountain must be provided within 100 feet (30.48 m) of the spa where it will be readily accessible from a spa pool. The drinking fountain may be inside or outside the spa pool enclosure. [Bd. of Health, Public Spa …

NAC 444.462 Roofs and canopies. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) Roofs and canopies over public spas must be constructed so that moisture or condensation from the roof or canopy does not drain into the spa. Roofs and canopies must be constructed so that they blend in with the surroundings …

NAC 444.463 Enclosures; exclusion of unauthorized persons. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) The holder of a permit to operate a public spa must: 1. Establish procedures to exclude unauthorized persons from the spa and spa area. 2. Construct a fence, wall, building, enclosure or any combina…

NAC 444.465 Gates and doors. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) Gates and doors which open into a spa or pool area must not be blocked open. The self-closing mechanisms or latches on the gates and doors may not be altered so that the gates and doors remain open. (Added to NAC by Bd. of Healt…

NAC 444.466 Electrical requirements. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Wiring and grounding of all electrical equipment associated with a spa and the bonding and grounding of all metal parts must meet the National Electric Code published by the National Fire Protection Association. 2. Ar…

NAC 444.468 When bathhouses required. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Dressing rooms, toilet facilities and shower rooms are required for all public spas other than those provided in connection with lodging facilities if the spa is reserved for tenants or guests who occupy the lodging …

NAC 444.470 Bathhouse facilities. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. The entrance and exits of a bathhouse must be screened to break any line of sight from outside. 2. Each bathhouse must be provided with separate facilities for each sex with no interconnection between the provisions for …

NAC 444.472 Ventilation. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Indoor spas, shower rooms, dressing rooms and toilets of public spas must be properly ventilated. 2. Ventilation systems for indoor spas must be designed to prevent direct drafts on the bathers. 3. There must be at least five air…

NAC 444.474 Supply of water. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. The water supply of the spa must be from an approved source and meet the requirements of the Division for potable water, except that the health authority may approve the use of natural hot or mineral waters. 2. A fillspout, i…

NAC 444.476 Quality of water. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) The spa equipment must provide water meeting the following standards: 1. The water must be continuously disinfected by a chemical which imparts an easily measured, freely available residual effect. Adequate disinfection may be …

NAC 444.477 Inlets. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Spa inlets must be: (a) Rounded. (b) Smooth. (c) Installed at least 18 inches (46 centimeters) below the normal operating water level. An exception to this requirement may be granted by the health authority if the shallow depth of the…

NAC 444.480 Drains. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Each spa must be provided with a drain at the deepest point to permit complete drainage. Outlets on the pump suction must be covered by suitable protective grates or antivortex covers which are securely fastened and cannot be removed …

NAC 444.482 Piping. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Piping must be made of nontoxic material, resistant to corrosion and able to withstand operating pressures. Pipes must be identified by color code, tags or labels. All plastic piping and fittings used in the recirculation system must …

NAC 444.484 Circulation and filtration. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) Public spas must be equipped with circulation and filtration equipment which meets the following criteria: 1. Circulation and filtration equipment must be of sufficient capacity to recirculate the entire spa water cap…

NAC 444.486 Pumps. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. A pump and motor must be provided for circulation of the spa water. All pumps must provide the conditions of flow required for filtering and cleaning the filters against the total dynamic head developed by the complete system. 2. With …

NAC 444.488 Pump motors. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. All motors must have as a minimum an open drip-proof enclosure, as defined by National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association standards, and be constructed electrically and mechanically so they will perform satisfactorily and safe…

NAC 444.490 Valves. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. When a pump is installed below the overflow rim of the spa, valves must be installed on permanently connected suction and discharge lines and located in an accessible place outside the walls of the spa. 2. All valves must be located w…

NAC 444.492 Overflow systems. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. An overflow system must be provided unless the spa does not have a water recirculation system and the procedures required by subsection 7 of NAC 444.484 are used. 2. The overflow system must be designed and constructed so th…

NAC 444.494 Skimmers. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. When surface skimmers are used as the sole overflow system, at least one surface skimmer must be provided for each 100 square feet (9.03 square meters), or fraction thereof, of the surface area of the water. When two or more skimmer…

NAC 444.496 Filters. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Filters must be designed to maintain spa water under anticipated operating conditions in accordance with NAC 444.484. 2. Filters must be designed so that filtration surfaces can be easily restored to design capacity, inspected and se…

NAC 444.498 Disposal of wastewater. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Provisions must be made for disposing of material cleaned from filters and of backwash water in a manner which will not create a nuisance. The backwash water must be disposed of in accordance with applicable local law …

NAC 444.500 Air induction systems. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) An air induction system must totally prevent water backup which could cause electrical shock hazards. [Bd. of Health, Public Spa Reg. Art. 24, eff. 11-27-79]

NAC 444.502 Disinfectant required. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) A means for disinfecting the spa water which provides a residual of disinfectant in the spa water must be employed. Chlorine or chlorine compounds are most frequently used for the purpose of disinfecting but another bacter…

NAC 444.504 Disinfectants: Approved chemical feeders. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) The spa must be equipped with a chlorinator, hypochlorinator or other disinfectant feeder or feeders which meet the following standards: 1. All chemical feeding equipment and process equipment, except fo…

NAC 444.506 Disinfectants: Use of chlorine gas. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Where equipment for the use of chlorine gas is provided, the mechanical proportioning device, required scales and cylinders of chlorine must be housed above grade in a reasonable gas-tight room which is mec…

NAC 444.507 Disinfectants: Storage of chlorine gas. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) Cylinders of chlorine gas must not be stored: 1. Where they are exposed to direct sunlight; 2. Where they are readily accessible to the public; or 3. In buildings where sleeping guests are housed. (Added t…

NAC 444.508 Disinfectants: Test equipment. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) Each spa must be provided with an approved test kit for the determination of pH, disinfectant residuals and total alkalinity. At spas where chlorinated cyanurates are used, a test kit must be provided for cyanuric …

NAC 444.510 Heating units. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. All heating units must be separated from the spa enclosure or protected to prevent injury to bathers and other persons. 2. Heater parts must be easily isolated and removed for cleaning. 3. The manufacturer’s recommendations for…

NAC 444.512 Equipment enclosure. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Filters, pumps, motors, chemical feeders and other accessory equipment must be enclosed in a protective enclosure. 2. Floor drainage must be provided within the protective enclosure. 3. Lighting and ventilation for enclos…

NAC 444.520 Operating permits. (NRS 439.200, 444.070, 444.080) 1. No person may operate a public spa unless he or she has applied for and received an operating permit from the health authority. 2. Permits expire 1 year after the date of issue unless previously revoked for a viola…

NAC 444.521 Fees for permits and review of plans. (NRS 439.150, 439.200, 444.070, 444.080) 1. The Division shall charge and collect $332 for each annual permit to operate a public spa, except in areas where the laws and regulations governing public spas are administered by local …

NAC 444.522 Records. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. A written record of all data pertaining to the operation and sanitation of a public spa must be maintained by the management and made available to the health authority at all times. 2. This record must include: (a) Amounts of various…

NAC 444.524 Heater and temperature requirements. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Water temperature in a therapy pool must be maintained above 70°F (21.11°C), and must not be artificially heated above 104°F (40.0°C). 2. Signs must be posted which state that: EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO HOT WAT…

NAC 444.526 Safety requirements. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. The spa must be free of protrusions, extensions, means of entanglement or other obstructions which might cause submerged entrapment of, or injury to, a bather. 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7 of NAC 444.48…

NAC 444.528 First aid. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. Each spa or spa facility must be equipped with a standard 16-unit first-aid kit which must be kept filled and ready for use at a convenient place near the spa. 2. The person who is in charge of the spa must have completed a course …

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, st…

NAC 444.532 Health requirements. (NRS 439.200, 444.070) 1. No person who has any communicable disease may be employed in any capacity at any public spa. 2. Any person who is or suspected by the health authority or the management to be afflicted with an infectious disease or suffe…