Application for Swimming Pool Licence and

Relevant Health Requirements and Conditions

Licensing of Swimming Pools

In accordance with the Swimming Pools Regulation, Cap. 132CA,

no person shall establish or maintain a swimming pool and take any part
in the management of a swimming pool, the establishment or
maintenance except under and in accordance with a licence granted to
him by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene.

2. No such licence shall be granted unless the Director of Food and

Environmental Hygiene is satisfied that the swimming pool in respect of
which the application for such licence was made, and in relation to the
premises pertaining to such swimming pool, that –

(a) The plan of the swimming pool have been approved by the
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene and the swimming
pool conforms thereto;
(b) The source of the water with which the pool will be filled is
suitable;
(c) The underwater surfaces of the pool are made of impervious
material and sufficiently smoothed to prevent undue
accumulation of dirt;
(d) Every junction between a horizontal surface and a vertical surface
inside the swimming pool is coved;
(e) The pool is fitted with scum gutters of suitable size and adequate
drainage;
(f) Sidewalks, not less than 1.2m in width and paved or covered with
suitable non-slip material, are provided on all sides of the pool,
and such sidewalks are laid with falls away from the edge of the
pool and drained to channels laid to falls;
(g) All parts of the floor of any dressing room and any room
containing any shower bath, foot bath or latrine are readily
accessible for cleaning and are surfaced with impervious material
and coved at their junction with any wall;
(h) Not less than one water closet is provided for every 25 persons
who may be accommodated in the pool and not less than one

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 urinal, fitted with a splash plate, is provided for every 50 such
persons;
(i) The pool is provided with filtration or purification plant, or other
means of purifying the water therein, capable of maintaining the
purity of such water at all times to a standard not less than B. coli
absent in 100 cm3 of water;
(j) The filtration or purification plant, or other means provided for
purifying the water in the pool, is capable of changing the water
in the pool, either by circulation through a filtration system or by
renewing the water from source, not less than once in every 4
hours in the case of a covered pool or once in every 6 hours in the
case of an open air pool; and
(k) Where under water electric lighting is provided –
(i) all under water lights are supplied at a voltage not exceeding
25;
(ii) such low voltage supply is given by a double wound
transformer in an earthed metal casing, with the centre point
of the low voltage winding earthed and the transformer
located at a safe distance from the pool and completely
inaccessible to bathers; and
(iii)all wiring from the transformer to the underwater lights is
carried out in screwed galvanized conduit or mineral
insulated copper covered cable.

3. For the purposes of subsection (2)(h), the number of persons who

may be accommodated in any swimming pool shall be based on the
maximum capacity of the pool and determined at the rate of one person
for every 3 m2 of the water surface of the pool.

Application for Swimming Pool Licence

4. The applicant should submit an application form FEHB 105 -

Application for Other Trade Licences to the respective Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) Licensing Office for
processing. A list of the FEHD Licensing Offices is attached at Annex A
for information.

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5. The application document after passing in preliminary screening
conducted by FEHD will be referred to departments concerned (including
Buildings Department and Planning Department) for comments. FEHD
will consider the comments from the departments as to whether a licence
would be issued, and if a licence would be issued, whether or not special
conditions would be imposed for the compliance of the applicant. Upon
obtaining full clearances, a letter of requirements containing health
requirements and conditions and/or special conditions together with
attachment of the comments and requirements of departments concerned
(if any) will be issued to the applicant for compliance. Upon confirming
full compliance with all licensing requirements, a Swimming Pool
Licence will be issued to the applicant. After the issue of licence, the
licensee shall observe all licensing requirements and conditions at all
times.

6. Applicant should pay attention as to whether dangerous goods

licenceNote is required to be obtained from Fire Services Department
under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, Cap. 295, in respect of the
dangerous goods used in swimming pools.

Electrical Safety

7. A fixed electrical installation shall, after completion (including any

work completed after repair, alteration or addition) and before it is
energised for use, be inspected, tested and certified (i.e. Work
Completion Certificate, Form WR1) by a registered electrical contractor
(REC) and a registered electrical worker (REW) to confirm that the
requirements of the Electricity Ordinance have been met.

8. An owner of fixed electrical installation shall refer to Regulation

20 of the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations to have the fixed electrical
installation be inspected, tested and certified (i.e. Periodic Test
Certificate, Form WR2) at least once every 12 months or 5 years. The
owner shall submit the certificate to EMSD for endorsement. For details,
please refer to the website of the Electrical and Mechanical Services
Department at
https://www.emsd.gov.hk/en/electricity_safety/periodic_test_for_fixed_electrical_installations/.

Note
More information in website http://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/notices/fire_protection_notice_no_4.pdf
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FEHD’s Health Requirements and Conditions

9. Lists of FEHD’s main licensing requirements / conditions for the

issue of Swimming Pool Licence are attached at Annex B for reference.
The public is advised to go through the requirements / conditions before
submitting application for Swimming Pool Licence. In this connection,
please note that for each licence application, licensing staff may also base
on the individual merit and actual situation of each application case to
stipulate any other non-standard requirements and conditions to the
applicant for compliance and observance.

Enquiries

10. Enquiries about the application procedures and other

issues (including health requirements and conditions) for
application for Swimming Pool Licence should be addressed to the
Assistant Secretary (Other Licences) of respective FEHD Licensing
Office either in person or by telephone.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Applicants and their employees, agents and contractors must not offer an advantage as defined
in the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201) to any government officer in connection
with their applications or while having dealings of any kind with government departments.

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 Annex A
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department Licensing Offices

Hong Kong and Islands Licensing Office

Assistant Secretary(Other Licences), Licensing Office

Hong Kong and Islands Licensing Office,
8/F, Lockhart Road Municipal Services
Building, 225 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong
Kong. Tel. no.: 2879 5720
Fax no.: 2507 2964

Kowloon Licensing Office

Assistant Secretary(Other Licences), Licensing Office

Kowloon Licensing Office,
4/F, Pei Ho Street Municipal Services
Building, 333 Ki Lung Street, Sham Shui Po,
Kowloon. Tel. no.: 2729 1298
Fax no.: 2789 0107

New Territories Licensing Office

Assistant Secretary(Other Licences), Licensing Office

New Territories Licensing Office,
4/F, Tai Po Complex, 8 Heung Sze Wui
Street, Tai Po, New Territories.
Tel. no.: 3183 9225
Fax no.: 2696 2097

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 Annex B

SWIMMING POOL LICENCE

Main Licensing Requirements

1. Plans

1. Before the issue of a licence/grant of approval for change of layout, the

applicant is required to provide three copies of a plan, drawn to scale and
in metric units, showing the final layout of the premises for approval of
the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene.
2. The layout of the premises shall be in strict conformity with the plans
submitted to this Department for approval, except for such amendments
as required by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene.
3. The applicant is required to sign on each copy of the plan certifying that it
is correct.
(Note :
i. For the purpose of meeting this requirement, professional plans
are not necessary. However, if structural or drainage alterations
are carried out, the plans forwarded to the Building Authority
must be presented by an authorised person.
ii. If any change is to be made to the original plan submitted with the
application, the applicant is required to submit afresh three copies
of an amended plan for re-consideration of the Director of Food
and Environmental Hygiene.

2. Ceilings and internal walls

All ceilings and internal walls which are not panelled, tiled or imperviously
surfaced, must be limewashed or painted a light colour.

3. Underwater surfaces of the pool

The underwater surfaces of the pool shall be made of impervious material and
sufficiently smoothed to prevent undue accumulation of dirt, and every junction
between a horizontal surface and a vertical surface inside the pool shall be coved
(rounded).

4. Scum gutters/skimmers
The pool shall be fitted with scum gutters/surface skimmers or similar devices of
suitable size and adequate drainage.

5. Sidewalks
Sidewalks, not less than 1.2 m in width and paved or covered with suitable non-
slip material, shall be provided on all sides of the pool, and such sidewalks shall
be laid with falls away from the edge of the pool and drained to channels laid to
falls. (If the sidewalks are less than 1.2 m, suitable hand-rail shall be provided
around the pool.)

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6. Dressing room
All parts of the floor of every dressing room and every room containing any
shower, bath, foot bath or latrine shall be readily accessible for cleaning and shall
be surfaced with impervious material and coved (rounded ) at their junction with
the wall.

7. Water supply
The source of the water with which the swimming pool will be filled shall be
approved by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene .

8. Sanitary fitments
_______________ water closets and__________flush urinals for males and
__________ water closets for females must be installed in _________. All pipes
conveying water from any well for flushing purpose must be painted black. The
sanitary fitments shall be segregated and provided with separate entrance for
persons of each sex.

Note :

i. If urinals are of the trough type, every 500 mm of trough shall be deemed
to be the equivalent of one urinal, and each stall or bowl type urinal shall
have a clear width of not less than 500 mm. Each urinal should have a
user standing space of not less than 500 mm x 500 mm in front of it.
In case where an urinal compartment is providedthe minimum internal
dimension of the compartment should not be less than 1000mm (depth) x
500mm (width).
ii. The installation of any sanitary fitments requires the approval of the
Building Authority. It is the applicant's responsibility to seek such
approval.
iii. The minimum internal dimension of the water closet compartment should
not be less than 1, 200 mm x 700 mm.)

(Toilet inside premises)

9. Segregation from swimming pools

Sufficient segregation shall be provided in the vicinity of the swimming pools so
that non-bathers cannot gain access to the swimming pools and their surrounding
sidewalks.

10. Footbaths
Footbaths and overhead curtain showers with proper drainage shall be provided
and so located that bathers cannot enter the pool without passing through them.

11. Sea water extraction

Approval of the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene must be obtained
if extracting sea water within the frontage of gazetted bathing beaches for the

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 private swimming pools.

12. Underwater electric lighting

Where underwater electric lighting is to be provided : -

a. All underwater lights shall be supplied at a voltage not exceeding twenty-

five;
b. such low voltage supply shall be given by a double wound transformer in
an earthed metal casing, with the centre point of the low voltage winding
earthed and the transformer located at a safe distance from the pool and
completely inaccessible to bathers; and
c. all wiring from the transformer to the underwater lights shall be carried
out in screwed galvanized conduit or mineral insulated copper covered
cable.

13. A proper drainage system shall be provided in the premises to the satisfaction of
the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene .

14. Filtration plant

The pool shall be provided with filtration or purification plant, or other means of
purifying the water therein, capable of : -

a. maintaining the quality of such water at all times to a standard of:-

i. Escherichia coli absent in 100 ml of pool water; and

ii. A total bacteria count (48 hr plate count method at 37oC) of not
exceeding 200 bacteria per ml of pool water; and
iii. Not exceeding 5 Nephelometric Turbidity Units; and
iv. Not exceeding 5 Hazen Units.
b. changing such water either by circulation through a filtration system or by
renewing the water from source, not less than once in every

i. four hours
ii. six hours

(Note : In the case of a covered pool, Requirement 14(b)(i) should be stipulated;

and in the case of an open air pool, Requirement 14(b)(ii))

15. Water testing kit

A set of water testing kit measuring the content and concentration of disinfectants
and pH value of pool water shall be provided for use.

16. Alarm bell system

An alarm bell system shall be installed so that the life saving attendant may
sound a warning in a suitable place (such as the care-taker/floor manager office)
for the purpose of calling for extra assistance.

17. A notice, written in English and Chinese, prohibiting persons from entering the

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 swimming pool while knowingly suffering from any cutaneous or communicable
disease, shall be continuously displayed in a conspicuous place near the pool.

18. The depth of the pool shall be clearly indicated at suitable intervals.

19. A notice, written in English and Chinese, warning children under 12 years of age
using the pool shall be accompanied by a responsible adult, shall be
conspicuously displayed at the entrance of the pool.

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 SWIMMING POOL LICENCE

Main Licensing Conditions

1. The layout of the premises shall be kept in strict conformity with that shown in
the final plan approved by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, and
no alteration or addition shall be made to the premises without the prior approval
of the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene.

2. Except with the approval of the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, or
as specified in any licence or permit granted by the Director of Food and
Environmental Hygiene, the premises shall not be used for any other purposed or
class of business.

3. Not more than / / / / / / / /persons shall be

accommodated in the pool / indoor pool / outdoor pool / jacuzzi pool / children
pool / other pool A / other pool B / other pool C at any one time.
(Note: The number of persons is to be based on the maximum capacity of the pool
and determined at the rate of 1 person for every 3 square metres of water surface.)

4. Not less than / / / /qualified life saving attendant(s) shall be in

attendance at the swimming pool / indoor pool / outdoor pool / other pool (please
specify) at all times during which such pool(s) is/are open to bathers.

5. Children under 12 years of age using the pools shall be accompanied by a

responsible adult.

6. If a water storage tank is provided, the inside of the water storage tank for filling
the swimming pool shall be thoroughly cleansed to the satisfaction of the Director
of Food and Environmental Hygiene every three months when the pool is in use.

7. The pH value of the pool water shall be maintained at a standard of not less than
7.0 and not more than 7.8, and its free residual chlorine content at a level of not
less than 1 part per million (*) / 0.5 part per million (**) at all times during which
the pool is in use by bathers.
(Note: Please delete where applicable)
(*) Where chlorine compounds are used for disinfecting the pool water.
(**) Where chlorine compounds are used to supplement disinfection by
ozone of the pool water.

8. Pool water shall be tested not less than once per day for its free residual chlorine
content and pH value. A register shall be kept to record the results of these tests.

9. An alarm bell system shall be installed so that the life saving attendant may sound
a warning in a suitable place (such as the care-taker/floor manager office) for the
purpose of calling for extra assistance.
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10. The licensee, or a responsible person nominated by the licensee in writing to the
Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene and acceptable to the Director of
Food and Environmental Hygiene, shall be on duty while the pool is open.

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