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Class A Public Pools Signage Requirements

The following signage is required at all Class A Public Pools in accordance with Ontario Regulation 565 - Public Pools and the Office of the Chief Coroner. There may be additional requirements for specialized pools.

Contact your area public health inspector if you have any questions or concerns.

Six-Point Sign (O. Reg. 565, s. 19 (1))

Every owner and every operator shall ensure that the following notices and markings are displayed in the places indicated herein:

In not fewer than two places at the pool, notices that set out,

  • That no person infected with a communicable disease or having open sores on his or her body shall enter the pool
  • That no person shall bring a glass container onto the deck or into the pool
  • That no person shall pollute the water in the pool in any manner and that spitting, spouting of water and blowing the nose in the pool or on the deck are prohibited
  • That no person shall engage in boisterous play in or about the pool
  • The maximum number of bathers permitted on the deck and in the pool at any time
  • The location of a telephone that is available for emergency use
  • Any other information or photos that the owner or operator determines is necessary to maintain the health and safety of the persons using the pool

Shower Sign (O. Reg. 565, s. 19 (5))

Every owner and every operator shall ensure that the following notices and markings are displayed in the places indicated herein:

At the entrance to each shower area and at every entrance to the deck used by bathers, notices that set out that each bather shall take a shower using warm water and soap and thoroughly rinse off all soap before entering or re-entering the deck.

Emergency Phone Sign (O. Reg. 565, s. 19 (3))

Every owner and every operator shall ensure that the following notices and markings are displayed in the places indicated herein:

A notice with the full name and address of the public pool or public spa location and all of the pool's or spa's emergency telephone numbers.

Depth Markings (O. Reg. 565, s. 19 (6))

Every owner and every operator shall ensure that the following notices and markings are displayed in the places indicated herein:

Markings in figures not less than 100 millimetres high that set out the water depths indicating the deep points where the water exceeds 2,500mm, the breaks between gentle and steep bottom slopes and the shallow points, and the words DEEP AREA and SHALLOW AREA displayed at the appropriate locations on the deck.

Diving-Related Sign (O. Reg. 565, s. 19 (7))

Every owner and every operator shall ensure that the following notices and markings are displayed in the places indicated herein:

In a conspicuous location, where a pool has a maximum water depth of less than 2.50 metres, in letters not less than 150 millimetres high, the words CAUTION - AVOID DEEP DIVES or the words SHALLOW WATER - NO DIVING.

Admission Standards (Office of the Chief Coroner)

Important Notice

Admission Standards for Public Pools

Admission Standards for Public Pools were developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner to assist lifeguards and assistant lifeguards in maintaining adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and the activities of young bathers while they are inside the pool enclosure. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care strongly supports these recommendations for the purposes of preventing injuries and fatalities.

  • Children under the age of 10 years who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 12 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision. The ratio of non-swimmers to parent or guardian may be a maximum of four bathers to one parent or guardian (4:1). The ratio of non-swimmers to parent or guardian may be increased to a maximum of eight bathers to one parent or guardian (8:1) if lifejackets are worn by all non-swimmers in their charge.
  • Children under the age of 10 who are swimmers (able to demonstrate comfort in the water and pass the facility swim test) may be admitted to the swimming pool unaccompanied
  • Children under the age of six years may not be admitted to the swimming pool unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is responsible for their direct supervision, with a maximum of two children for each parent or guardian
  • Guardians or group leaders are responsible for the children in their care while in the facility and must directly supervise the children at all times
  • Guardians or group leaders should be at least 12 years of age.
  • Ratios of instructors / lifeguards to bathers must also be maintained as per Regulation 565. Class B Public Pools that do not require lifeguards still require bathers under twelve years of age to be accompanied by a parent or his or her agent who is not less than sixteen years of age.
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