Pool opening
Seasonal pool opening: water, equipment, documentation and staffing requirements
Opening stages
Equipment
Inspect pumps, filters, chlorinator/UV, heater, pH/Cl sensors. Replace filter media per schedule.
Flush and fill
Flush the bowl and loops, fill, shock chlorination, 24–48 h of circulation before testing.
Water chemistry
Typical targets: pH 7.2–7.6, free chlorine 1–3 ppm (or bromine), alkalinity 80–120 ppm, cyanuric acid <50 ppm for stabilized systems.
Safety
Inspect rails, non-slip surfaces, life rings/hooks, depth markers, emergency exit, first aid and eye wash.
Documentation
Water log (pH/Cl/temperature — more often than the regulatory minimum), maintenance log, accredited-lab test reports.
Staffing
Lifeguards/operators with current certifications, briefing, evacuation and chemical-safety instructions on site.
Many jurisdictions require notifying/inspecting the sanitary authority before opening a seasonal pool. Exact test panels and limits follow local sanitary rules; the ranges shown are typical guides, not regulations.