FD10 - Storage Areas and Equipment

Purpose

To provide guidance on the design and management of storage areas in Aquatic Facilities.

Planning for Storage Areas

When designing and planning for Aquatic Facilities an often overlooked and last minute thought is for the consideration of storage areas. Storage areas should be a key consideration in safe design and planning for the operations and safety of the aquatic facility.

The owner or operator of an Aquatic Facility may need to consider some or all of the following items for storage or space depending on the size, type and use of the facility:

• Pool Plant Equipment
• Hazardous Chemicals
• Cleaning Equipment
• Lane Ropes and Sporting Equipment such as Water Polo nets
• Pool Covers
• Bulkheads
• Temporary Signage
• Locker Storage for personal items
• Sporting Equipment (e.g. Medal Dias, Time Clock, Start Blocks)
• Competition Rooms (e.g. Marshalling, Media, Control, Drug Testing)
• Chairs and Tables
• Tents and Marques
• Swim Equipment (e.g. inflatables, kickboards)

It is imperative that equipment be stored in a manner that is safe and functional, and that takes into consideration varying constraints, including:

• Lack of storage space;
• Personnel that are authorised to use the equipment;
• Weight and size of the equipment;
• Frequency of use;
• Position of walkways and emergency exits; and
• Ventilation.

Storage Designs

The following provide some guidance on storage solutions in aquatic facilities:

• Equipment store rooms should be accessed via an external vertical roller door or double swing door to allow for direct access external to the facility.
• Internal storage rooms should be designed with shelves to maximise storage room capacity.
• The storeroom should ideally be rectangular or square in shape, to allow for maximum perimeter storage.
• Provide perimeter storage shelving (fixed or adjustable) or open compartments for sports equipment or club goods.
• The height/vertical spacing of the shelves should be designed to accommodate the nature of the storage. Shelving should be constructed from robust materials and be provided with heavy duty supports, either to the wall or on a free standing frame.
• Provide lockable gates (screen mesh or similar) or solid doors to storage shelving and cupboards to prevent theft and vandalism.
• Signs should be well situated explaining that children are not allowed to access any gear shed. For example: Restricted to authorised personnel only.

Storage of Equipment

The following list provides recommended ways to store equipment in an Aquatic Facility:

• Store frequently used equipment between knee and shoulder height.
• Heavier equipment should be stored from waist height and below.
• Lighter, less frequently used equipment may be stored above shoulder height. If storage is necessary above this level, two to three people should be required for getting the item on/off the rack.
• Upright equipment must be secure to prevent a falling hazard and should also have a bright, soft foam cover at the tip, particularly at head/eye level, to remind persons about the possibility of hitting heads and/or poking eyes.
• Storage racks may be attached to a central beam or wall and ideally should be placed on a very slight upward angle to the horizontal to prevent items sliding off. Care must be taken to not overload the weight limit of the storage beam.
• Care should be taken with stepladders – use approved safety steps/stepladders rather than other less safe forms of steps such as milk crates.
• Chairs and tables should not be stacked in a manner so that they can fall, nor be stored in areas that are frequented by patrons.
• In particular, they should not be in areas where children can climb on them.
• They should be preferably stored in locked storage cupboards or areas.

Induction and Training

Safety training should be provided for all employees with regard to use and proper storage of equipment. This would be included in the manual handling training at the commencement of your employment at the Aquatic Facility.

References

• Model Code of Practice – Manual handling, Safe Work Australia
• Guidance Note 3 Club Rooms and Change Facilities – Cricket Australia
• Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations – RLSSA