Regulatory resources
New York requirements at a glance for pool chemistry equipment
Plain-language summary of 10 NYCRR Subpart 6-1 provisions relevant to chemical controllers, feeders, operating records, and plan approval at public pools outside New York City.
Last reviewed 2026-09.
This summary is for convenience only and is not legal advice. Requirements are interpreted and enforced by the permit-issuing official for your facility (your county or city health department, or the NYSDOH district office). New York City facilities are regulated separately under NYC Health Code Article 165 and are outside FreyTech's territory. Verify current text at regs.health.ny.gov.
| Topic | Section | What it says (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| Daily records | 6-1.21(c) | Complete daily operation records on State-approved forms, kept at the facility for 12 months; the permit-issuing official may require periodic reports. |
| Testing frequency | 6-1.11(c)(5) | pH and free and total chlorine (or bromine) tested and recorded at the beginning, during, and end of each swimming period with a DPD kit and fresh reagents. |
| Free chlorine, pools | 6-1.11(c)(1) | Minimum 0.6 mg/L at pH 7.8 or below, 1.5 mg/L at pH 7.8–8.2; maximum 5.0 mg/L; pH not above 8.2 during use. |
| Free chlorine, spas | 6-1.25(c) | Minimum 1.5 mg/L, maximum 5.0 mg/L; pH 7.2–7.8. |
| Alkalinity | 6-1.19(c)(2) | 80–120 mg/L. |
| Stabilizer | 6-1.11(c)(4) | Cyanuric acid is prohibited. |
| Continuous operation | 6-1.10(a) | Recirculation and disinfection equipment operate continuously. |
| Feeders | 6-1.29 items 11.1, 11.6 | Automatic adjustable disinfectant feeder; pH feed equipment unless pH holds without it. |
| No-flow shutoff | 6-1.29 item 11.7 | An automatic device deactivates chemical feeders when there is no recirculation flow. |
| Electronic monitoring | 6-1.29 item 11.8 | Electronic residual and pH monitoring devices may be used in addition to the test kit. |
| Operator | 6-1.2(l), 6-1.21(b) | A qualified swimming pool treatment operator for pools over 3,000 sq ft or using gas chlorine. |
| Plan approval | 6-1.8, 6-1.9 | Plans by a licensed engineer or architect approved by the permit-issuing official before any addition or modification; compliance certificate before use. |
What this means for controllers and feeders
- An automated controller supplements manual testing and daily records; it does not replace them.
- Feed equipment must stop when recirculation stops. BECSys controllers provide no-flow feed lockout, and the optional ChemLock adds an independent interlock. Final acceptance rests with your permit-issuing official.
- Because stabilizer is prohibited, trichlor feeders and 'stabilized' sizing guidance for outdoor pools generally do not apply in New York public pools.
- Modifying chemical treatment equipment may require plan approval; involve your engineer early.
The CDC Model Aquatic Health Code (2023) recommends automated controllers certified to NSF/ANSI 50 with flow interlocks. In New York it is guidance unless adopted by a jurisdiction. Regulatory summary last reviewed September 2026.
More: Total alkalinity and why your controller cares about it · Reading a controller alarm: a triage sequence for operators · Monthly water-chemistry equipment checklist · When to replace a commercial pool chemical controller
Next step
Request a commercial pool system assessment
Tell us about your facility, current controller, chemical feed, and timing. A commercial aquatic specialist will review it and follow up with next steps for your system.
Serving commercial aquatic facilities across New York State.