Feature Story

March 2018

NSPF, Counsilman-Hunsaker Partner to Create App for Aquatic Facility Managers

By Dave Ramont

The National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) strives to make pools safer and keep pools open by funding education and research, and creating new swimmers. Counsilman-Hunsaker has been designing aquatic projects internationally of all types and sizes for more than 45 years. And now they've partnered to offer Facility Manager, a customizable app for aquatic facilities. The digital web-based application aims to enhance the safety and sustainability of aquatic facilities by simplifying daily operations.

The app, which is based on the Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) and NSPF's Pool and Spa Operator Handbook, is accessible via mobile device or computer. It eliminates the need for papers and forms, allowing facilities to manage checklists, incident reports, water balancing and all their other documents pertaining to operations. The app offers customizable e-mail templates and other options, so staff can complete reports properly and efficiently, and pool managers can receive alerts regarding pool closures and other time-sensitive matters.

Risk management and record-keeping will be made simpler with Facility Manager, by utilizing the various components, including Pool Test. With this feature, staff can log pool test readings online. Once certain parameters are entered, the program will auto-calculate water balance. This is in addition to regular pH and chlorine tests. You can compare your data to MAHC guidelines and data can be accessed anytime, anywhere.

Things like employee information and lifeguard training reports can be tracked by the In-services feature. Daily, weekly or other custom checklists can be updated with the Checklists module. Deadlines and completion dates for repairs can be documented, including before and after photos. The app will also auto-send repair information to maintenance contacts if you so choose.

Illness and injury documentation can be logged more thoroughly, as staff will be prompted to complete required fields, making the reports more standardized and professional. Supporting photos can also be included with this module. Reasons and details regarding pool closures can be tracked with Facility Manager's Pool Closure Forms, including information about any corrective actions taken.

Records will be more detailed and contain more facts, making a facility's record-keeping more consistent.

NSPF and Counsilman-Hunsaker have been partners for decades, and they're excited to make this technology available to aquatic facilities everywhere. "When NSPF provides a tool that facilities can use to have safer and more efficient pools and spas, the aquatics industry benefits, and so do the patrons that visit those facilities," said Michelle Kavanaugh, NSPF mission development director.

Which modules a facility chooses will determine the cost of the app. Counsilman-Hunsaker will set up your customized checklist, and provide the training needed to get started. They will also be available to answer technical questions down the road, once Facility Manager is being used.