Pool Training Programmes
CPO Course Curriculum
It’s not simply a case of learning, it’s a case of understanding what you’ve learnt
There are two key PHTA CPO® certified pool and spa operator training courses available:
The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance offer this extensive training program. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certification and registration as a Pool/Spa Operator valid for five years.
Standard Course with 2-days in the Classroom
Online Fusion Course plus join your instructor online for one-day training and exams
01. Swimming Pool/Spa Codes and the Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO)
- Pool and Hot Tub Alliance History
- Codes and Regulations
- Annual Permit
- Approval of Plans
- Water Chemistry
- Water Testing
- Water Filtration and Recirculation
- Water Clarity
- Safety Equipment
- Records
- Chlorine Gas
- Markings
- “Grandfather Clause”
- Pool Closure
- Types of Pools
- Public
- Semipublic
- Special-use
- Private
- Certification of Pool/Spa Operators
- Job Description
- Spa Operators
- Public Pool Operators
- Pool Technicians
- Liability
- Violations
- Responsibility
- Performance
- Insurance
02. Swimming Pool Calculations
- Equivalents
- Metric Equivalents
- Calculating Surface Area
- Geometric Formulas
- Multisided Pools
- Circular Pools
- Free-form Pools
- Interior Walls and Floors
- Coved Pools
- Calculating Pool Capacity
- Volume/One Inch in Depth
- Makeup Water
- Calculating Maximum User Load
- Spas
- Public Indoor Pools
- Public Outdoor Pools
- Private Pools and Spas
- Calculating Filter Surface Area
- Determining Flow Rate
03. Filters & Filtration
- Water Clarity
- Turnover Rate
- Filter Area
- Filter Media
- Filter Systems
- Filter Sizing
- Turnover
- Filter Flow Rate
- Rapid Sand Pressure Filters
- Filtering Rates
- Backwashing
- Vacuum Sand Filters
- High Rate Sand Filters
- Diatomaceous Earth Filters
- Types of D. E. Filters
- D. E. elements
- Slurry Feeding
- Precoating
- Extending Filter Runs
- Cleaning D. E. Filters|
- Regenerative D. E. Filters
- Cartridge Filters
04. Pool Circulation and Recirculation Equipment
- Water Distribution
- Outlets
- Inlets
- Recirculation Equipment
- Recirculation Pump
- Pump Sizing
- Measurement of Total Dynamic Head
- Hair and Lint Strainers
- Surge Chamber or Balancing Tank
- Piping
- Valves
- Flow Controllers and Flow Switches
- Pressure Gauges
- Flow Meters
- Interpreting Gauges and Flow Meters
- Performance Checks
- Vacuum System
- Pressure System
05. Pool Water Sanitizing and Chemical Balance
- Chlorination
- Sanitation
- Oxidation
- Superchlorination
- Combined Chlorine
- Breakpoint Chlorination
- Inorganic and Organic Chlorine
- Effect of pH on Chlorine
- Chlorine Gas
- Sodium Hypochlorite
- Calcium Hypochlorite
- Lithium Hypochlorite
- Chlorinated Isocyanurates
- Chlorination Summary
- Alternative Sanitizers
- Bromine
- Iodine
- Ozone
- Electrolytic Cells
- Brine Method
- In-Line Method
- Automation
- Silver
- Non-Chlorine Oxidizers
- Other Pool Chemicals
- Flocculants
- Algicides
- Chelating or Sequestering Agents
- Degreasers
- Defoamers
- Cyanuric Acid
- Chemical Equilibrium
- Calcium Carbonate
- Hot Water
- Understanding pH
- Control of pH
- Total Alkalinity
- Control of Total Alkalinity
- Understanding Calcium Hardness
- Controlling Calcium Hardness
- Water Saturation Summary
- Chemical Balancing
- Corrosive vs. Non-corrosive
- Irritating vs. Non-irritating
- Staining vs. Non-staining
- Clarity
06. Pool Water Testing
- Testing for Bacteria
- Testing for Chlorine
- OTO Method
- DPD Methods
- Free Available Chlorine Test
- Total Chlorine Test
- Combined Chlorine Calculation
- Dilution Method
- Testing for pH Values
- Solution Method
- Tablet Method
- Testing for Hardness
- Total Hardness
- Calcium Hardness
- Testing for Total Alkalinity
- Testing for Cyanuric Acid
- Testing for TDS
- Testing for Copper
- Testing for Iron
- ORP Testing
- Test Strips
- Analyzing and Adjusting Water Chemistry
- Summary
07. Spas, Tubs and Hot Water Therapy Pools
- Codes and Regulations
- Codes and Standards for Operation
- Bather Load
- Calculating Load
- Controlling Load
- Chemical Operation Standards
- Alkalinity
- Water Hardness
- Spa Chemical Adjustments
- Dilution of Chemicals
- TDS Standards
- Chlorine or Disinfection Concentrations
- Filtration Standards
- Filter Maintenance
- Recirculation
- Spa Designs
- Types and Construction
- Start-Up Procedures
- Maintenance
- Fiberglass Repairs
- Hot Tub Care
- Maintenance Problems and Procedures
- Troubleshooting
- “Dumping” the Spa
- When to Dump
- Problems of Dumping
- Drains and Drain Covers
- Heaters and Heating System Efficiency
- Heater Sizing
- Safety
- Timer Switch
- Supervision
- Signage
- Safety Procedures
- Records
08. Pool Management
- Pool Survey and Operations Report Form
- Records and Files
- Record Keeping
- Equipment Data Form
- Operational Checklist
- Training Personnel
- Job Performance
- Staff Orientation
- Maintenance Schedules
- Spa and Hot Water Pools
- Residential, Motel, Hotel and Agency Pools
- Public and Commercial Pools
- Pool Area
- Halls, Lobby, and Passageways
- Pool Bottom
- Locker Rooms
- Office and Service Area
- Grounds
- Filter Room
- Opening and Closing
- Planning for Operation
- Calculating Swimmer and User Capacity
- Anticipating Operational Demands
- Water Recovery
- Maintenance Demands
- Establishing a Maintenance Formula
- Budget Planning
- Energy Costs
- Operational Costs
- Maintenance Costs
- Personnel Costs
09. Swimming Pool and Spa Maintenance
- Plans, Operation Manuals, Record and Codes
- Codes
- Tagging, Color Coding, Checklist
- Routine Maintenance
- Pools and Locker Room Floors
- Pool Sides, Troughs and Skimmers
- Pool Bottom
- Diving Boards and Slides
- Locker Rooms
- Office, Basket Rooms, Staff Rooms, and Service Areas
- Entrance, Lobby and Halls
- Grounds and Outside Environment
- Lights
- Filter Pump and Motor
- Filter and Skimmer Strainers
- Pressure Gauges and Flow Meters
- Chemical Feeders
- Gas Chlorinators
- Chlorinator Maintenance
- Chlorine Leak
- Loss of Chlorine Feed
- Exchanging Chlorine Tanks
- Water Heaters
- Heat Loss from Pool Surface
- Underwater Lights
- Changing Underwater Lights
- Valves
- Preventive Maintenance
- Filter Room
- Locker-Rooms
- Pool
- Entry and Grounds
- Automation
10. Pool Operation Problems and Chemical Adjustments
- Troubleshooting
- Sensing Problems
- Back-up Plans
- Common Problems
- Chemical Adjustments
- Adding Chemicals
- How Much of What Chemical
- Superchlorination
11. Care of Seasonal Pools
- Winterizing
- Hydrostatic Pressure
- Pool Blankets
- Preventing Deterioration and Freezing
- Vandalism
- Disassembling and Assembling
- Pool Water Chemistry
- Utilities
- Spring Start-up
12. Energy Conservation and Alternative Energy Sources
- Types of Heat Loss
- Radiation
- Conduction
- Convection
- Evaporation
- Factors Affecting Amount of Heat Loss
- Energy and Cost Conservation Methods
- Pool Blankets
- Additional Tips to Conserve Energy
- Lighting
- Heaters
- Swimming Season
- Spas
- Pool Shelter
- Alternative Energy Sources
- Geothermal
- Solar Energy
- Solar Collectors
- Design Considerations
- Heat Pumps
- Insulation
- Summary
13. Energy Management
- Training Staff
- Energy Audits and Studies
- Energy Calculations
- Cost Comparisons
- NSPI Energy Conservation Checklist
- Reading Electric Meters
- Energy Audit Outline
- Major Areas of Energy Loss
14. Renovation and Modernization
- Modernization
- Renovation
- Survey for Dangerous Pool Conditions
- Survey for Water Conditions
- Survey for Water Loss
- Survey for Increased Space
- Meeting New Code and Operational Standards
- Survey for Facility Aging
- Survey for Maintenance Reduction
- Survey for Energy Cost and Loss
- Developing a Renovation and Modernization Plan
15. Disease and Accident Prevention
- Pool Water as a Disease Carrier
- Other Sources of Disease
- Disease Prevention
- Accident Prevention
- Accidents
- Safety Practices
- Chemicals
- Chlorine Safety
- Handling Chlorine Tanks
- Warning Signs for a Chlorine Room
- Chlorine Room Emergency Procedures
- Minor Leak
- Major Leak or Cylinder Rupture
- Exposure: First Aid — Inhalation
- Exposure: First Aid — Contact with Skin or Eyes
- Safety Features
- Lighting
- Marking
- Signs
- Obstructions and Obstacles
- Safety Inspection
- Diving Safety
- Fire Extinguisher
- Emergencies
- First Aid Room and Equipment
- First Aid Kit
- Rescue Breathing
- Hazard Communication Program
- Material Safety Data Sheets
- Labels
- Written Hazard Communication Program
- Employee Information and Training
We are proud to offer on behalf of the PHTA (NSPF) ® several other training packages including:
Certified Pool and Spa Operator (CPO®) Certification
Certified Pool and Spa Inspector (CPI®) Certification
Swimming Pool play features
Risk Management
Emergency Response Planning
