Safety Standards.
24 RCNY § 48-A.13
in effect§ 48-A.13 Safety Standards.
(a) Arts and crafts, electronics, gymnastics, sports, swimming and other activities of the center's program shall be supervised by qualified and certified specialists where applicable and necessary for safeguarding the children and youths participating in the program.
(b) The areas, equipment and supplies used in the program's activities shall be inspected daily to ensure their safety for use by the children and youths.
(c) Swimming or other waterfront activities.
(1) All swimming or waterfront areas, facilities and equipment shall be maintained in a clean and safe condition, free from hazards and in compliance with related provisions of this Code. Any known nearby hazards shall be properly safeguarded and posted.
(2) Swimming and waterfront procedures, practices and equipment shall comply with American Red Cross standards or those of another organization with equivalent standards. Appropriate life saving equipment shall be available at all times at the swimming or waterfront areas.
(3) A water safety instructor shall be in attendance and supervise the swimming and waterfront activities when they are in progress. Entrance doors shall be kept locked except during periods when a water safety instructor or senior lifeguard is on duty.
(4) At the first swimming or waterfront session, swimming proficiency tests shall be given to determine each child's or youth's swimming ability. The standards used shall be of the American Red Cross or those of another organization with equivalent standards.
(5) Children and youths shall be confined to swimming areas requiring abilities consistent with the limits of their swimming skills or to swimming areas requiring lesser skills for which they have been classified.
(6) A method of supervising and checking bathers shall be established and enforced. Recommended methods are the "check" or "buddy board", the "buddy system", the "colored" system or any combination of these systems. The system used shall be supervised during swimming or waterfront activities by the water safety instructor or senior lifeguard and checks shall be conducted at least once every 15 minutes.
(7) A written "lost swimmer" plan shall be established and all staff shall know exactly what their duties are in case of an emergency at the pool or waterfront.
(8) There shall be no swimming or waterfront activity without prior approval of the center's director. Swimming or other waterfront activities shall be prohibited at sites other than the center's swimming or waterfront facilities without the prior approval of the center's director and water safety instructor.
(d) Arts and crafts.
(1) All safety regulations peculiar to the needs of the arts and crafts programs shall be well formulated and carefully enforced and supervised.
(2) Equipment used for arts and crafts shall be in good repair, of safe design and properly installed and maintained.
(e) Gymnastic and sports activities.
(1) The gymnastic instructor shall determine the gymnastic experience and level of skills of the children or youths at their first gymnastic session.
(2) The gymnastic instructor shall supervise the activities of a gymnastics activity group not exceeding fifteen (15) children or youths and shall be responsible for their safety and well-being. If the group enrolled for the gymnastics activity exceeds fifteen (15) children or youths, an auxiliary assistant shall be provided to assist the gymnastic instructor.
(3) Sufficient facilities and equipment appropriate to each sports activity and designed to protect the participants in such activity, such as masks, guards for eye glasses, shin-guards, chest-protectors and nonhazardous playing fields shall be available and supplied.
(4) Basketball, volleyball and other strenuous competitive sports shall be properly refereed and supervised.
(f) Fire protection.
(1) The director shall be responsible for the regular inspection of all fire protection facilities and equipment of the center.
(2) Emergency procedures for fire drill or any other potential disaster shall be practiced at least once a month.
(3) Fire extinguishers and other suitable fire-fighting equipment, as required by the Fire Commissioner's regulations, shall be provided at strategic and accessible points.
(4) All electric wiring and lighting fixtures shall be installed in accordance with the City's Electrical Code and by a licensed electrician.
(5) Containers of gasoline, kerosene and other inflammable materials shall be properly marked or labelled and stored in a properly vented, locked and fire-proof building or facility not occupied by the center's children or youths and staff at a safe distance from program buildings or facilities. Such materials shall be used only under qualified supervision.
(g) If the center includes other activities regulated under 24 RCNY Health Code Article 48 in its program, such activities shall comply with the requirements and safety standards applicable thereto in such Article.
Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCrules/0-0-0-45696Fetched: 10/24/2026