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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

  • Michael Koerner Oct 30 (6 days ago)

    to fdbowe2 Many may not weigh heavily on being struck by lightning in an indoor pool. But it does not mean it can not happen. There have been people struck by lightning in there house, this is a force of nature. A GPS may determine where you are located within a foot on the earth. There is nothing saying exactly where lightning will strike. If there was we would not need electrical power plants or solar power we would use lightning. Go conservative, in the land of lawsuits where "caution contents in this coffee cup may be hot" shutting down a pool for safety is the right thing to do. It is really nice to use common sense over scientific studies or myth's when it is the right thing to do.

    Michael Koerner  November 5 2015, 8:05 pm EST

    • Reply from: Achuthan   November 5 2015, 9:29 pm EST
    As pointed out by Mr.Koermer, the main ingredients(brain inputs) for making professional are 1. Common sense 2. The professional knowledge. Both of these factors complement each other in a decision making exercise. Although indoor pools could be used safely, if adequate shielding GNDing etc are done theoretically, the commonsense factor comes into play since safety, higher risk taking etc., are involved in this case, as pointed out earlier. Hence, I feel that it is better to be out of the pool during lightning. Achuthan.N

    I

    Reply from: Mike Holt   November 6 2015, 6:54 pm EST
    We can't run our world on what people think is common sense when we have data of over 100 years of experience (data).

    Reply from: Achuthan   November 6 2015, 8:12 pm EST
    "common sense" of a person is not what people think but inherited rather acquired out of many things. The commonsense level of an individual varies with age,exposure, and hence is different form person to person. It is a complex stuff. In fact we need commonsense to relies and recognize the common sense of the other person.

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