How to keep the rules and policies of your community’s pool enforced.
Looking for ways to enforce the rules and policies of your community’s pool?
In this article, we will explore the best solutions that are commonly used by communities to promote the optimal amenity environment and patron experience.
A community pool is typically a place of relaxation for the residents in the community. After a long day of work, many will flock to their pool where they expect to be able to sit back and enjoy time with their family and neighbors.
However, if that was always the case, you wouldn’t be searching for ways to have your rules enforced. So, lets jump into the ten ways that your community can reinforce their rules and maintain the most optimal experience for all residents. We will speak of the pros and cons of each solution so you can make a well-informed decision.
1. Security Systems
Security systems are widely used to deter trespassing and bad behavior, and they come in many forms from various providers. Understanding the pros and cons is crucial to maintaining an optimal pool experience. Common solutions include motion sensors, security cameras, water motion sensors, and motion-activated floodlights. These visible deterrents remind residents that activity is being monitored, helping to reduce unwanted behavior. Many communities implement multiple security measures, as combining them often yields better results.
Cons of Security Cameras: However, there are privacy concerns to be taken into account for this method as not all residents are open to the idea of being recorded while visiting their community’s pool with their family.
Pros of Motion Sensors & Water Activity Sensors: Some communities may opt to use motion sensors to detect activity at the pool during after-hours. These systems work by alerting designated parties when a sensor is triggered.
Pros of Security Cameras: Security cameras not only record activity in and around the pool but also serve as a visible deterrent to those considering inappropriate behavior or attempting unlawful entry. Some surveillance services even offer remote monitoring with 2-way intercoms, allowing for real-time communication and the ability to alert authorities in case of overnight criminal activity. This added layer of security helps enhance the overall safety and management of your community’s pool area.
Cons of Water Activity & Motion Sensors: With this method, your board or volunteers may be inconvenienced by having to visit the pool in the middle of the night to investigate the reasoning behind the motion sensors going off. Some 3rd parties offer services to investigate these incidents, but the possibility of the event being triggered by natural reasons and not unlawful property access may outweigh the cost of these after-hours’ security services.
Flood Lights: As for flood lights, these options work in a sense that they illuminate the property should motion be detected after hours which may be helpful in deterring unlawful access or use of the community’s pool. This solution is more of a passive and suggestive deterrent than it is direct.
From our experience, those who are bold enough to trespass onto property have little to no regard for unmonitored security measures. It is best to reach out to a security installation team to review their data on how effective their measures are. You can also consult Hoa forums to learn which security system may be the most effective.
2. Access cards, pool passes, and key fobs
One of the most common practices to keep exclusivity in a pool is to require a form of access key. By requiring a working access key at access points, your community can have a sense of confidence in your pool staying exclusive to residents only who are more likely to respect policy and upkeep. Let’s explore the pros and cons.
Many communities opt to keep the access points of their pools secured by requiring the use of an access key such as key card, pool passes via a phone app, or key fobs. The goal of this method is to only permit access to authorized residents who are up to date on their dues and have the proper permissions to use the amenities.
This process typically looks like this: Resident walks up to the gate and puts their access key against an access key reader which will then unlock the gate should their credentials be current and accepted by the system. After the resident enters through the access point, the gate shuts and locks typically via a magnet locking system.
Key fobs and key cards:
The Basics: Key cards and key fobs use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to unlock access points by being placed near a RFID reader. These access keys are the most common in the industry as they can be remotely enabled/disabled and are harder to duplicate than a physical key.
The Downsides: Access keys can be shared or duplicated, and we’ve found some homeowners rent their key to non-residents, who often misuse the amenities since they can't be fined. To prevent this, our pool attendants not only check for valid access keys but also verify patrons against a resident list, ensuring only authorized residents use the pool.
The Basics: This access method uses NFC (Near Field Communication) technology which will be ‘tapped’ on a reader near the gate which will then permit access to the amenities. This process uses the exact same technology as tapping your phone to pay for items or validating your plane ticket. The pool pass method is great as residents cannot transfer their pool pass to anyone else.
The Downsides: Like all access methods for unmanned pools, trespassers can simply jump the fence, yank the gate open (if magnet operated), or they can convince a pool patron to open the gate for them.
With the pool pass system and one of our attendants, common issues are resolved. The pool attendant verifies credentials and acts as a deterrent to bad behavior. If a resident doesn’t have a smartphone, attendants can check their information via a tablet. The service is customizable, offering features like guest passes, usage stats, incident reporting, and resident photos to refine verification. The software is also affordable and easy to set up—contact us for a free consultation.
3. Lifeguarding Service
Lifeguards are hired by communities to ensure the safety of all patrons in and around the pool and to provide emergency response in case of medical incidents. They are typically stationed near the pool for optimal visibility and rotate with other lifeguards to prevent exhaustion and maintain alertness to potential emergencies.
The Pros: Communities choose to employ lifeguards so they can feel confident that the liabilities of having a community pool are being negated. Lifeguards are not only CPR certified but likely have weeks of comprehensive training as well which gives community’s confidence in the safety of all pool patrons. While lifeguards typically only enforce rules related to safety, some companies that offer this service may offer nighttime trash emptying.
The Cons: Lifeguards are specialized and typically enforce only safety-related rules. If a community needs access control, hourly trash pickup, or furniture organization, lifeguards are not ideal. Additionally, lifeguard services can be costly, as they require at least two employees for mandated breaks, along with insurance and training expenses.
A community's decision to hire lifeguards depends on the responsibilities required, budget, and legal obligations. If lifeguards aren't legally required and the focus is on access control, hourly trash pickup, furniture organization, and policy enforcement, a pool attendant service may be a more cost-effective option.
4. Pool Attendant Service:
Pool attendants or as otherwise known as pool monitors, are contracted by communities who do not need a lifeguard service and want a figure of authority who will promote the optimal pool experience. These services are focused on access management, amenity upkeep, and policy enforcement.
The Pros: Pool attendant services are ideal for communities seeking a representative to uphold management’s expectations. They address common issues like non-residents, underage use, loud music, disorganized furniture, and trash. When properly implemented, residents enjoy well-maintained amenities and friendly attendants checking credentials. These services are also extremely cost-effective, with lower insurance costs compared to lifeguard services.
The Cons: The effectiveness of pool attendant services depends heavily on the provider. A common issue in the industry is hiring companies that simply place someone in a chair, with responsibilities often unmet. To avoid this, always request references. It's also important to note that pool attendants are not lifeguards; they do not provide medical care or enforce lifeguard-specific rules like ‘no diving,’ as this could mislead residents into assuming they are protected by a lifeguard. If a pool attendant provider claims their staff can handle lifeguard duties, review their insurance to protect your community from legal liability
Conclusion:
Maintaining an enjoyable pool experience for your community requires careful planning, and it's always a good idea to consult with industry and legal professionals to explore your options. No matter what solutions you decide on, The Pool Attendant Company is ready to elevate your pool environment. Our services go beyond access control, offering hands-on management to keep your amenities pristine, enforce rules, and ensure residents feel safe and welcome. With customizable options tailored to your community’s needs, we help create a serene and secure pool experience for everyone.
Reach out today to learn how our professional pool attendants can make a lasting difference in your community.