When does public health need to hear about a new spa?
At least 14 days before it opens. O. Reg. 136/18 requires anyone who intends to operate a personal service setting to give written notice to the medical officer of health for the area 14 days before starting. Renovating an existing spa needs notice too: 14 days ahead if services stop during the work, and before the work starts if they continue.
What does the regulation ask of the room itself?
Floors, walls, ceilings, fixtures and furniture in good repair, easily cleanable and of a smooth, impermeable material; hot and cold running water under pressure; lighting and ventilation enough for sanitary work; work surfaces that can be cleaned and disinfected; and adequate storage. Those words decide finish choices, so they belong in the finish schedule before tile and millwork are priced.
How many sinks does a spa need?
At least one sink used only for handwashing, conveniently located to the work area, always accessible, with soap in a dispenser and single-use towels or a hot air dryer beside it. A setting that reuses equipment also needs a second sink, not the hand sink, large enough to immerse the biggest piece of equipment, with counter space for cleaning it. Treatment rooms often get their own.
Does a med-spa change the build?
It can. Equipment such as lasers and treatment devices brings its own power, ventilation and room requirements from the supplier, and clinical services may fall under a regulated health college. Settle the service list with the owner before the layout; a medical clinic page covers the clinical side.
What should a spa send to get the build priced?
The layout or design drawings, the list of services in each room, the equipment and its supplier drawings, and the landlord's criteria. Most spas are tenant improvements in a plaza or retail unit.
| Requirement in O. Reg. 136/18 | What the build provides |
|---|---|
| Notice before opening | A schedule that leaves 14 days between notice and opening. |
| Handwashing sink | A dedicated hand sink near the work area, with soap and drying beside it. |
| Reprocessing sink | A separate sink big enough for the largest reusable equipment, with counter space. |
| Finishes | Smooth, impermeable, easily cleaned floors, walls, ceilings and fixtures. |
| Water, light and air | Hot and cold running water, and lighting and ventilation for sanitary work. |