Chapter 64E-9, Florida Administrative Code, and Chapter 514, Florida Statutes
Florida pool chemical log requirements
What a Florida public or semi-public pool must test, the legal ranges, what goes in the log and how long to keep it — every rule with the section of the code. Checked September 19, 2026.
- Test
- At least once every 24 hours, tested by hand64E-9.004(11); 64E-9.004(1)(d)3
- Keep the log
- Not set by the rule64E-9.004(11)
- Rules
- Conventional poolChapter 64E-9, Florida Administrative Code, and Chapter 514, Florida Statutes
1.0 to 10.0 ppm · conventional pool
7.2 to 7.8 · the operating rule says 7.0–7.8, but the department may close a pool below 7.2
no more than 100 ppm · 40 ppm recommended maximum
Monthly swimming pool report (fields of form DH 921) · one month, letter landscape · columns for FC, pH · fields of Florida form DH 921
Sources (8) — every number above is cited
- Rule 64E-9.004 F.A.C. — Pool operation (water quality, testing, form DH 921) — Florida Department of Health, Florida Administrative Register
- Rule 64E-9.017 F.A.C. — Enforcement (immediate closure) — Florida Department of Health (text via Cornell LII)
- Rule 64E-9.008 F.A.C. — Supervision and safety (temperature, controllers, backup chlorinator) — Florida Department of Health (text via Cornell LII)
- Rule 64E-9.018 F.A.C. — Swimming pool service technician certification — Florida Department of Health (text via Cornell LII)
- Form DH 921 (3/98), Monthly Swimming Pool Report — Florida Department of Health, incorporated by reference in 64E-9.004
- Form DH 920, pool inspection report and inspection key — Florida Department of Health
- Chapter 514, Florida Statutes — Public swimming and bathing facilities (§ 514.0115 exemptions) — Florida Legislature
- Chapter 64E-9 F.A.C. — rule history, including the Notice of Rule Development of April 1, 2026 — Florida Administrative Register
Customized forms may replace DH 921 if they contain the same information.
Close the pool while adding chemicals by hand and for at least one hour afterwards (64E-9.004(2)).
The Department of Health published a Notice of Rule Development on April 1, 2026 to update these operational requirements: values may change.
Legal ranges
| Parameter | Pool | Spa | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free chlorine | 1–10 ppm | 2–5 ppm | 64E-9.004(1)(d) |
| pH | 7.2–7.8 | 7.2–7.8 | 64E-9.004(1)(d); 64E-9.017(1)(b) |
| Cyanuric acid | at most 100 ppm | at most 40 ppm | 64E-9.004(1)(d) |
| ORP | — | 700–850 mV | 64E-9.004(1)(d); 64E-9.008 |
| Water temperature | — | at most 104 °F | 64E-9.008(8) |
Testing frequency
At least once every 24 hours, tested by hand (64E-9.004(11); 64E-9.004(1)(d)3). pH and disinfectant tested manually at least once every 24 hours. An ORP controller does not replace the manual daily test. Form DH 921 has columns for 9 am, 1 pm and 4 pm.
- Cyanuric acid weekly, when chlorinated isocyanurates are used (64E-9.004(11))
- Backup chlorinator run at least once a month and recorded in the monthly log (64E-9.008(10)(e)2)
What the log must show
- Chlorine (or bromine) residual and pH, each day the pool is open
- Filter gauge readings: vacuum (in. Hg), influent and effluent pressure (psi)
- Flow (gpm), whether the pool was vacuumed, number of patrons
- Remarks: total alkalinity, hardness, cyanuric acid, equipment breakdown, water loss, backwash, water clarity
Keep it Not set by the rule (64E-9.004(11)). Records must be kept at the pool and shown to the department on request. The rule gives no retention period; the CDC's Model Aquatic Health Code recommends three years, which is what PoolChemLog Pro keeps.
What the inspector checks
- Maintenance log: pH and disinfectant each day open, cyanuric acid weekly
- An approved test kit
- Free chlorine or bromine and pH within limits — the owner must keep swimmers out when they are not
- Water clarity: main drain grate readily visible from the deck
- Working disinfection and pH feeders, flow meter, thermometer, pressure and vacuum gauges
- Lifeguard and service technician certificates; last inspection report posted where a fee is charged
When the pool must close
- Disinfectant below the minimum or above the maximum
- pH below 7.2 or above 7.8
- Main drain grate not readily visible from the deck
- Recirculation system or disinfectant feeder missing or not working
- Drain cover or anti-entrapment system missing or not working; no valid permit
- Fecal accident or severe biological growth
Who may operate the pool
The rule requires no certificate for the owner or the owner's own employees: any able person can test the water and record it. A contracted pool service technician must be certified (a course of at least 16 hours approved by the department, or a national certification), with the certificate posted in the equipment room.
Customized forms may replace DH 921 if they contain the same information.
Close the pool while adding chemicals by hand and for at least one hour afterwards (64E-9.004(2)).
The Department of Health published a Notice of Rule Development on April 1, 2026 to update these operational requirements: values may change.
Log Florida readings on your phone
Every reading checked against the ranges above, the corrective action recorded, and the Florida sheet filled for the inspector.
Sources
- Rule 64E-9.004 F.A.C. — Pool operation (water quality, testing, form DH 921) — Florida Department of Health, Florida Administrative Register
- Rule 64E-9.017 F.A.C. — Enforcement (immediate closure) — Florida Department of Health (text via Cornell LII)
- Rule 64E-9.008 F.A.C. — Supervision and safety (temperature, controllers, backup chlorinator) — Florida Department of Health (text via Cornell LII)
- Rule 64E-9.018 F.A.C. — Swimming pool service technician certification — Florida Department of Health (text via Cornell LII)
- Form DH 921 (3/98), Monthly Swimming Pool Report — Florida Department of Health, incorporated by reference in 64E-9.004
- Form DH 920, pool inspection report and inspection key — Florida Department of Health
- Chapter 514, Florida Statutes — Public swimming and bathing facilities (§ 514.0115 exemptions) — Florida Legislature
- Chapter 64E-9 F.A.C. — rule history, including the Notice of Rule Development of April 1, 2026 — Florida Administrative Register
This page summarizes the state code; your county or city health department may add requirements. It is not legal advice.