The Critical Role of Safety and Certifications in Swimming Pools

In competitive swimming, timing accuracy, performance, and reliability are essential. But there’s something even more important: SAFETY. At Colorado Time Systems, safety is a top priority in the development of every product we design for swim meet operations. This commitment to safety goes beyond functionality; it’s about ensuring that every piece of equipment used in swim meets is rigorously tested to protect athletes and facilities.

Why Safety is Paramount in Swimming Pool Technology

Swimming pools are inherently hazardous environments, with large volumes of water and constant exposure to electrical systems. The presence of electronic devices for swim timing, scoring, and meet management adds another layer of potential risk. This makes the need for certified, thoroughly tested equipment critical to preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of swimmers, staff, and spectators.

Colorado Time Systems recognizes this responsibility, which is why our electronic devices undergo stringent protocols to meet industry standards.

What It Means for You and Use in Your Swimming Pool

Safety standards and directives such as EN61326, UL863, or the Reduction of Hazardous Substances directive define what tests a product in its intended application needs to pass to be considered safe and environmentally sound. Electronic devices must demonstrate resistance to hazards like moisture, electrical surges, mechanical forces, as well as low radiation, safe use, environmental compatibility, and more under real-world conditions, like your swimming pool.

Accredited test houses such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek test to these safety standards. When you see the UL or Intertek’s ETL mark on a product, you can trust that it has met these stringent standards. Safety marks are a mark of trust, providing you with the ease of mind that our products have been tested and verified for safety: reducing the risk of electrical shock, fires, and other hazards.

An FCC certification certifies that products do not emit harmful radio waves and function well when radio waves are present (i.e. from cell phones). Colorado Time Systems products with the FCC mark have been tested to meet these mandatory requirements to sell wireless products in the United States. The FCC enforces this requirement, per Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

In addition, Colorado Time Systems’ devices meet the harmonized standards of the European Union, expressed by the CE declaration of conformity. This declaration of conformity is necessary to place any products in the European Union.

When you see a UL, ETL, FCC, or CE mark on a CTS swim timing or scoreboard product, you can trust that it has met these stringent standards.

For a swimming pool environment, where electronic devices are exposed to water, high humidity, and high usage, this level of certification is critical. It ensures that equipment like swim timing consoles, swimming start systems, and scoreboards function safely, even in challenging conditions.

Colorado Time Systems—Going Above and Beyond

At Colorado Time Systems, we don't just meet the basic requirements for safety—we go above and beyond. Every product we develop for swimming competitions is subjected to rigorous testing, simulating the demands of real-world pool environments. This means that our swim timing systems aren't just accurate; they are also built to be safe, durable, and reliable under continuous exposure to water and humidity.

We believe that our customers should never have to compromise between performance and safety. Whether it's a large international competition or a local swim meet, the well-being of athletes, staff, and spectators comes first. By choosing Colorado Time Systems, you are choosing products that prioritize safety without sacrificing the innovative technology that makes each swim meets run smoothly.

Why Would You Settle for Less?

In an industry where cutting corners is becoming more common, we continue to stand by our core values: innovation, reliability, and safety. Other swim timing providers may offer products that are not certified or that haven’t been subjected to the same rigorous testing. This can lead to unsafe conditions, particularly in wet environments where the risks are already elevated.

When it comes to ensuring safety in your swimming pool facility, why settle for less? The stakes are too high to take chances with untested or uncertified equipment. Choosing Colorado Time Systems means choosing peace of mind. Our products are not only designed for performance and accuracy—they’re built with the highest safety standards to protect everyone involved in the sport.

Conclusion

Safety should never be an afterthought in competitive swimming. By investing in swim timing equipment from Colorado Time Systems, you’re investing in the well-being of your athletes, coaches, and facility staff. With certified swim timing and swimming scoring products and a commitment to rigorous testing, we ensure that your swim meet operations are safe and reliable; allowing you to focus on the competition, not the risks.