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Indoor Pool Lightning Policy  
 
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We were recently contacted by a nurse researcher regarding lightning policies concerning indoor pools.

Here’s what she asked:
I am contacting you about a "lightning policy" at our Parks and Recreation indoor pool.  The National Electric Code Article 250 — Sections 250.1 through 250.4 require that indoor pools be grounded and safe from lightning strikes. According to management at the facility, which closes the indoor pool when pool staff hear thunder or see lightning outdoors, there is a risk of lightning strikes to indoor pool patrons.  As I am sure you are aware, there has never been a reported incident of a patron being killed by lightning in an indoor pool.

The closing of indoor pools during storms has recently been deemed an "urban legend" because there is no scientific evidence of the need for this policy.  The National Lightning Safety Institute, founded by Richard Kithil, recommends closing indoor pools based on the results of an Internet Google search of "indoor pool and lightning" (http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/indoor_pools.html).  The NLSI also lists several organizations who have position statements/policies that require indoor pools to close during storms.  These organizations either do NOT have these policies or their policies are based on the NLSI recommendation following the Google search. I have tried to contact the NLSI but none of the contact links are valid.

My query to you is to ascertain whether there is a legitimate risk to patrons at an indoor pool that has facilities up to code (NEC 250).   I have read several documents that support not closing indoor pools during storms. Thank you for your help.

The nurse researcher and her team are currently conducting a study to determine if patrons are being placed at risk by leaving indoor pool facilities during thunderstorms.

 

What do you think? We’d like to hear from you, so post your comment below. Dr. Hardin-Fanning, the nurse researcher can be contacted directly at fdbowe2@uky.edu.

 

Mike Holt’s comment: It’s a myth!
http://www.sportrisk.com/2011/08/the-myth-around-closing-indoor-pools-when-theres-lightning/
http://www.aquaticsintl.com/safety/when-lightning-strikes.aspx

 

 

 
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Comments

  • The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires electrical systems in buildings, and especially pool shells and the metal around pools to be electrically bonded together. If the electrical wiring/grounding in the aquatic facility meets code, this indoor area is probably safer than within many buildings.

    The only danger from electricity, be it lighting or any other source, is voltage potential between objects which a person is near or in contact with. Any stray earth current from a lighting strike outside or to the building would cause all of the surfaces to rise and fall to the same level. This ?bird on a wire? phenomenon makes it safer than in the typical building. A possible exception would be if the pool shell were non-metallic, and therefore did not have the bonded rebar/metal shell of a common pool.

    Closing a pool cannot be a violation of the NEC, but it certainly should be an OSHA violation. To close an indoor pool during an electrical storms takes the patrons from an especially well protected indoor environment, and places them more at risk elsewhere - especially if they must go outside to leave !

    Scott Cline  October 30 2015, 2:57 pm EDT

    • Reply from: Fran   October 31 2015, 10:40 am EDT
    We are finding the overwhelming majority of pool patrons exit the building when they are asked to leave the pool area.

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