Proceed with caution: operators must ensure safe chemical storage and handling. (Chemistry Corner).(Brief Article)

Aquatics professionals use pool chemicals every day without thinking much about them. They rely on chemicals to keep the water clean, free of disease and attractive to guests. But facility staffs must always remember that pool chemicals are potentially dangerous.

Failure to properly store and handle pool chemicals can endanger the health of operators and patrons, and can damage pool environments and equipment.

The storage area

Proper storage of pool chemicals not only provides safety, but also enhances the life span of the chemicals. Proper ventilation plays a key role in safe chemical storage rooms. Chlorine, muriatic acid and soda-ash vapors can accumulate in a dosed environment, and exposure to these vapors can be unhealthy. If the vapors are highly concentrated, they can cause immediate risk of lung damage.

Long-term presence of airborne chemical vapors can rust and corrode pipes, fittings and fixtures in the storage area. This reduces the life span of the equipment and results in ongoing, preventable expenses.

To avoid vapor accumulation, provide chemical storage areas with continuous ventilation to the building's exterior. To prevent noxious fumes from being drawn back into the building, locate the exhaust ports for these vents downwind from the building and well away from air-conditioning units and air-intake vents.

The floors of chemical storage areas should slope to a grated drain. Such sloping provides easy cleaning of the floors and provides an outlet for water from broken pipes. This reduces the possibility of accidental combination of water and chemicals. Electrical outlets should include ground fault circuit interrupters to eliminate potential electrocution hazards caused by leaking or ruptured water pipes.