Is it compulsory to have a lifeguard in communal pools?

Undoubtedly, safety in community swimming pools is a key aspect that all residents agree on, regardless of whether it is compulsory to have a lifeguard or not. 

The presence of a trained and prepared professional, who is also able to prevent and respond effectively to emergency situations in the community pool, is a value in itself, although it is not mandatory.

It is important to mention that the obligation to hire a lifeguard is not general in Spain, it varies depending on the autonomous community, which generates confusion among pool managers and neighbours. 

In this article we are going to focus mainly on the regulations of the autonomous community of Andalusia.

Above all, apart from legal issues, it is important to bear in mind that the regulations on lifeguards in communal swimming pools do not only seek to comply with legal formalities, their main objective is to protect the life and physical integrity of the users of this common area.

When is it compulsory to have a lifeguard at community pools?

General regulations in Spain

In Spain, the regulation regarding the obligation to have lifeguards in communal swimming pools is established by the Royal Decree 742/2013 of 27 September 2013which defines the technical and sanitary criteria applicable to these installations.

According to this decree, the obligation to have a lifeguard applies in 3 specific situations:

• Swimming pools for collective use with a surface area of more than 200 square metres of water.
• Swimming pools for collective use with a depth of more than 1.20 metres.
• Swimming pools for collective use intended for children's use.

Regulations on lifeguards in communal swimming pools in Andalusia

Current regulations

In Andalusia, the obligation to hire a lifeguard in communal swimming pools is governed by Decree 22/2003 of 4 February, which establishes specific requirements depending on the surface area of the water surface and other characteristics of the facility. According to this decree, as governed by national regulations, it is compulsory to have a lifeguard in the following situations:

• Swimming pools for collective use with a surface area of more than 200 square metres of water.
• Swimming pools for collective use with a depth of more than 1.20 metres.
• Swimming pools for collective use intended for children's use.

In addition to Decree 22/2003, the Junta de Andalucía has issued other complementary regulations such as the Order of 20 March 2003, which approves the Technical Guide for the Sanitary Self-monitoring of Swimming Pools for Public Use. These additional regulations not only reinforce hygienic-sanitary conditions, but also contribute to establishing clear guidelines for self-monitoring in community swimming pools.

How many lifeguards should be in communal pools?

What is the job of a lifeguard at a community pool?

The lifeguard plays a crucial role in the safety and well-being of users in community swimming pools in Andalusia. Their responsibilities include monitoring and controlling the bathing of users, preventing accidents, providing help in case of emergency, performing first aid and ensuring compliance with safety regulations: 

• Monitor users to ensure that they respect safety rules and control behaviour to avoid risks.
• The main objective is to implement preventive measures to avoid risks, but in case of an emergency it must intervene quickly and appropriately.
• Be prepared to perform first aid, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), control bleeding or stabilise fractures until specialised professionals arrive.
• He is responsible for ensuring that life-saving equipment such as hoop floats are in adequate condition in case of an emergency requiring their immediate use.

In summary, in Andalusia, the presence of a lifeguard in communal swimming pools is compulsory in certain situations, as established by Decree 22/2003, which seeks to guarantee a safe environment for all users.

Other aspects to take into account in communal swimming pools

How to behave in a community swimming pool to create a good environment?

Independently of the regulations, as a society we must follow behaviours to generate a good social climate and that all users feel comfortable in a common pool, we recommend you to follow these guidelines to be a good neighbour:

• Comply with opening and closing times
• Avoid the use of mats and balls.
• Respect the number of guests and the seating capacity indicated in the Community rules.
• Sharing of common items such as hammocks
• Avoid playing loud music or making disturbing noises.
• Respect the personal space and belongings of others.
• Don't jump aggressively into the water, check that no one can be harmed and avoid annoying splashes.
• Always shower before entering the water

What happens in the case of family swimming pools?

For family swimming pools, the decree does not make it compulsory to have a lifeguard, thus recognising the more controlled nature of this type of facility.

Would it be possible to restrict entry to the swimming pool to neighbours who are in arrears?

According to Law 10/2022, of 14 June, on urgent measures to boost building rehabilitation activity in the context of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, allows homeowners' associations to restrict the use of common facilities, such as the swimming pool, to defaulting homeowners, so the answer would be that YES it is possible.

Can I bring guests to the community pools?

Regarding this issue, it is important to know that the regulations vary depending on the community of neighbours and there is no generic case, so we mainly recommend to know in depth the specific rules and regulations of your community, which you can check in the statutes of the community or in the general rules of internal use. To find out more about the guests at the community pool you can read a full article about it on our website.