What is the amount of time required for a pool to be closed due to thunder and lighting?

Question

I was been searching online and can't find an answer. I was under the presumption it was 30 minutes for thunder and 1 hour for lighting. However, Others are under the presumption it is 30 minutes for both. I was wondering if anyone knew the answer and could provide a link to support the answer.

Thanks

Answer 1

Lightning Policy

Splash Pool Services, Inc. will adhere to the "30-30" or "Flash-To-Bang" rule:

The National Lightning Safety Institute recommends the following swimming pool safety procedures:

When thunder and/or lightning are first noticed, use the Flash-To-Bang (F-B) method to determine its' rough distance and speed. This technique measures the time from seeing lightning to hearing associated thunder. For each five seconds from F-B, lightning is one mile away. Thus, a F-B of 10 = 2 miles; 15 = 3 miles; 20 = 4 miles; etc. At a F-B count of thirty, the pool should be evacuated. People should be directed to safe shelter nearby.

Pool activities should remain suspended until thirty minutes after the last thunder is heard. The distance from Strike A to Strike B to Strike C can be some 5-8 miles away. And it can strike much farther away. Why take a chance with lightning?

The pool will close for 30 minutes. All members will be asked to leave the facility if there is not an appropriate clubhouse to use as shelter.

The safest places to go are substantial buildings (buildings with metal structures and 4 walls) or inside closed cars.

Please refer to the information provided by the National Lightning Safety Institute.

Weather Closure Policy

When the outside temperature is below 65 degrees for more than 1 hour, the clouds look to be lingering, and there is no one using the pool, the lifeguard has the option to close the pool. A sign indicating pool closure must be posted on the front gate (the sign explains that the pool will reopen if the temperature exceeds 65 degrees) and, if applicable, a message will be left on the pool's answering machine. That lifeguard will remain "on call" for the remainder of his or her shift and will notify the oncoming guard of the pool closure. If the temperature exceeds 65 degrees the lifeguard is required to return to the pool. If there are members using the facility, the pool will remain open. When the temperature is below 65 degrees upon opening of the pool, the lifeguard will arrive before their shift and post a sign (and leave a message on the answering machine) indicating pool closure. If members are at the facility planning to swim upon opening, the lifeguard is required to open the pool.

Link is :
http://www.splashpoolservices.com/policies.html

Hope I helped.

Answer 2

There is no set time, and 30 minutes could be very dangerous. By then, the storm could have already passed on and be miles away. Leave the pool immediately when you hear thunder or see lightening. Seek cover in a building, NOT under a tree, which height might attract a lightening strike. The storm may cover a large area of a mile or more and only seem to be at a distance. You never know when a strike may land in your area. Sometimes there is thunder and lightening even when the sky is almost clear and your only warning is a lightening strike, so pay attention to the weather reports.

Answer 3

If the pool is grounded as in protected somehow and is indoors, then there is not amount of time. And it IS 30 mins for both, due to the fact that thunder is caused by lightning, so they are pretty much the same. But this only applys to outdoor community pools, and indoor pools that are not grounded.

Answer 4

To the best of my knowledge, there is no "law" about how long a pool as to be closed. It is decided by the pool owners or the local community. So at one location it could be an hour, at another only minutes. There is not "one answer" for the question.