Go For a Swim / FAQ

Upon issuance of the Closure Order, VCH recommended a signed and sealed engineers report in support of any corrective solution – either temporary or permanent.  A qualified specialized engineering professional, who was retained to help guide District staff through this process, worked with staff to seek proposals, investigate and test various possible solutions including chemical etching, tile coating and epoxy retrofit. The professional also recommended that additional comprehensive testing be undertaken to re-assess the tiles in parallel to the work to investigate potential corrective actions.

Prior to any solutions being chosen or implemented on the tiles, the District conducted a new test on February 28 that employed a different methodology than the first. This test was completed in accordance with standards set out by a Canadian industry-specific body (the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada) and the American National Standards Institute. The results of this test as supported by the engineering report showed that the pool area floor tiles achieved acceptable slip resistance measurements, meeting both relevant Canadian and American specifications. Subsequently, this signed and sealed professional engineer’s report outlining these findings was submitted to VCH on March 12 for reconsideration.

While corrective actions had not been implemented on the tiles prior to this second test, the different measures and parameters used in the additional testing generated an acceptable result. Testing of the steam room tiles did not generate an acceptable result.

A signed and sealed engineer’s report outlining new test results, as well as an onsite inspection by VCH on March 24 has enabled the pool to re-open.  The District has also put the following precautionary measures in place:

• Installation of additional signage in high-visibility areas indicating that the pool deck and walkways may be slippery.
• Submission of monthly safety reports to VCH outlining any slip incidents.
• Update of the Pool Safety Plan to incorporate more detailed descriptions of safety protocols.
• An additional deep cleaning of the pool deck, including degreaser application, high rpm scrubbing and pressure washing.

Looking ahead the District will monitor the performance of the tiles and bring forward future actions for consideration in the annual budget process as part of ongoing asset management.

The work required to re-open the steam room has been completed and the steam room has been re-opened to the public. This work included removing and replacing the existing steam room bench tiles.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has the regulatory authority to authorize closures under the Public Health Act.

After a February 11 safety inspection, Vancouver Coastal Health determined that the Brennan Park Pool deck does not meet the required anti-slip standards for wet surfaces and ordered an immediate pool closure until further notice as a health and safety precaution.

Under the BC Public Health Act Pool Regulation, a pool operator must ensure that pool aprons, walkways and floors have a surface that is slip-resistant when wet.

On January 15, Vancouver Coastal Health conducted a site inspection and observed that the existing tile floors around the pool, steam room appeared slippery and may no longer meet the required anti-slip standards.

Vancouver Coastal Health ordered a closure of the steam room and further testing of multiple tiled surfaces within the pool area.

Slip-resistance testing was carried out at the pool by an independent third party on February 11, under the direction of Vancouver Coastal Health.

The results of this further testing indicated that the tiles did not meet the required anti-slip standards for wet surfaces. Because the slip-resistance did not meet the required standards for wet surfaces, VCH ordered a closure order, effective on February 12.

Vancouver Coastal Health inspects the pool on an as-needed basis. Since 2015, Vancouver Coastal Health has conducted more than 30 routine inspections. None of the inspection reports were related to anti-slip measures.

There are various methodologies to enhance the slip-resistance of existing tiles. Staff are currently reviewing the most appropriate corrective solutions to remediate the situation to ensure a safe environment. As a part of this process, any corrective action must be reviewed by Vancouver Coastal Health prior to the work commencing.

Yes. The tiled surfaces are original and date back to the pool’s opening in 1992 for both the pool deck and steam room flooring.

Slip testing was previously not part of our annual shutdown tasks, however this is now under review.

The annual fall shutdown is still planned, as this time is needed to complete work related to the renovation project, along with regular maintenance duties.

The District will continue to explore the following long-term options. These options will be brought to Council for consideration through the budget process:

• Epoxy Deck Retrofit
• Full tile replacement
• Tile coating option
• Chemical etching