How have the commercial hot tub regulations changed?

Are you aware of the latest commercial hot tub regulations? Whether you simply let out a holiday home with a hot tub selling point or your business is a spa that boasts several tubs to relax in, it’s important to comply with regulations. The latest regulations, called HSG282, were published last year. 

Firstly, who does the HSG282 guidance affect?

All commercial properties need to comply with them, this includes everything from established businesses right down to a cottage let. While the guidance isn’t enforced, it should be the benchmark for best practice for all commercial businesses and could influence consumer behaviour and choices. It’s designed to support your legal responsibilities to ensure that your customers remain healthy and safe both during and after using your hot tub, failure to take steps to address risks could result in prosecution. 

The HSG282 guidance focuses on the fact that spa-pool systems are recognised as a source of diseases caused by infectious agents, including Legionnaires’ disease. The publication followed a number of outbreaks linked to spa pools in leisure centres, hotels, holiday homes, on cruise ships, and even those on display. The potentially dire consequences of failing to keep up to date with hot tub maintenance and legal obligations were highlighted by a court case against JTF. The firm was fined £1 million last year following harmful levels of legionella bacteria being present in a hot tub on display, causing two deaths and affecting twenty others. 

What does HSG282 cover?

The guidance covers a number of areas, spanning from design through to the importance of monitoring spa-pool water quality. While the design should influence your purchasing decision. It’s the maintenance and monitoring that will be of the most interest to commercial businesses. 

One of the key elements businesses need to focus on is chemical dosing. Maintaining the correct pH balance is essential to controlling bacteria, meeting legal obligations, and ensuring that your hot tub can be used safely by your customers. It should be frequently tested to ensure that the chemical levels of the water are correct, with adjustment dosing being added when necessary, and records being kept to demonstrate that you’re taking reasonable steps to ensure that health and safety standards are consistently met, therefore reducing potential risks associated with hot tubs.