Indoor water parks generally do not close entirely during thunderstorms because their fully enclosed structures are designed to be weather-immune. The primary indoor attractions, including the main pool areas and water slides, typically remain fully operational despite heavy rain, wind, or nearby lightning activity. The decision to keep the park open is based on robust construction standards and electrical safety systems mandated for large commercial buildings. This operational stability allows guests to continue enjoying the main facilities without interruption from severe weather.
Operational Status of Fully Enclosed Areas
The reason fully enclosed indoor water parks maintain normal operation during an electrical storm lies in the structural physics of the building. Modern commercial construction utilizes a framework that functions as a Faraday cage. This protective design involves a network of conductive materials, such as steel and aluminum, arranged in a mesh pattern throughout the structure and roof.
When lightning strikes the facility, this conductive grid channels the massive electrical current around the structure’s exterior and safely into the ground, a process known as grounding. This shunting of voltage minimizes the risk of structural damage or power surges inside the building. The National Electrical Code requires all electrical systems to be properly grounded and bonded to mitigate the effects of a lightning strike.
This inherent protection means that the main indoor pools are not significantly affected by a strike to the building itself. Consequently, while the sound of thunder may be audible, the structural integrity and electrical safety allow guests to remain in the water and continue using the slides. Historically, fully enclosed indoor pools have maintained a strong safety record during electrical storms.
Protocols for Outdoor and Semi-Open Attractions
While the main indoor areas are protected, any outdoor or semi-open components must adhere to standard outdoor pool safety protocols. Semi-open attractions include areas with large, unsheltered openings, such as sun decks, patios, or pools and slides covered by a retractable roof that is currently open. These areas are vulnerable to direct strikes or ground current transmission.
These specific areas close immediately upon the detection of a lightning threat in the vicinity. This precaution is necessary because water is an excellent conductor of electricity, and a strike nearby can travel through the ground, pipes, and the water body itself. Guests are directed to evacuate the water and seek shelter inside the fully enclosed main building.
Attractions with retractable roofs typically have the roof closed to convert the area into a protected, fully enclosed space, allowing activities to resume. If a water park has truly outdoor components, such as a separate wave pool or lazy river, they are evacuated entirely. These closures are an exception to the park’s overall operational status, focusing only on the unprotected areas.
Park Safety Measures During Electrical Storms
Water parks utilize specialized technology and established procedures to manage safety when thunderstorms are approaching. Many facilities employ lightning detection systems, such as proximity sensors that measure electrostatic charges in the atmosphere. These systems alert park management when lightning strikes are detected within a predetermined radius, often set between 5 and 10 miles of the facility.
The detection systems trigger communication protocols, including immediate public address announcements and specific instructions to lifeguards for clearing vulnerable outdoor and semi-open areas. These instructions mandate compliance with the “30-minute rule,” a common safety standard requiring all activities in unprotected areas to be suspended. This rule dictates that the area must remain closed for at least 30 minutes after the last observed lightning flash or sound of thunder.
This procedural response ensures that staff and guests are moved from high-risk locations to the safety of the main, grounded building. The use of weather tracking and on-site detection technology allows the park to make a data-driven decision to initiate a closure or issue an all-clear signal. This signal is typically indicated by a specific horn blast or announcement, ensuring safety while the main indoor facility continues operation.