FLOW's complete internal regulations

These internal regulations are applicable at all areas and premises of FLOW. The future of FLOW and outdoor swimming in Brussels will depend on your behaviour. Please respect the regulations, thank you!

Staff

• The staff of FLOW (coordinators, swimming pool attendants, lifeguards and other team members) shall ensure compliance with these regulations. Men and women work equally in our team, their instructions must be followed.

Admittance

• Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents or responsible guardians of children have a duty to continuously and closely supervise the children throughout the complex.
• To verify your age in case of doubt, please bring your ID card.
• Access to the swimming pool is prohibited to:
• Drunk persons and persons under the influence of drugs;
• Persons and/or groups who disturb the order or form a danger for the safety;
• Persons who refuse to respect these internal regulations and/or the instructions of the pool attendants;
• Any person who has indisputably not used the sanitary facilities, in particular the compulsory shower before bathing;
• Persons affected by or suspected of having infectious diseases;
• Persons with open wounds and persons with skin problems without medical certificate.

Access

• To gain access to the swimming zone, you must present a valid ticket at the entrance counter which will be exchanged for a swimming pass. The swimming pass grants you access to the swimming zone for a single time slot.
• Validation of tickets and exchange for a swimming pass must happen the latest 20 minutes before the beginning of a time slot. Please be on time.
• Tickets can be obtained via online booking on www.flow.brussels or reservation at FLOW.
• Tickets are non-refundable and can not be returned or changed. Refund only in case of cancellation on our part (e.g. due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances).
• Your ticket is valid for a one-time access to the swimming zone for the selected time slot.
• Your ticket and access pass is strictly personal. It must not be passed on to any other person.
• You are responsible for the loss of your ticket and access pass.
• Access passes must be presented and handed over to the pool attendant at the entrance gate to the swimming zone in order to gain access.
• Service and staff rooms are not accessible to visitors and swimmers.

Opening hours and time slots

• The opening hours of FLOW together with the time slots for swimming are indicated at the entrance and the website www.flow.brussels.
• In case of extreme overcrowding, accidents, thunderstorms, force majeure, ... the swimming time may be shortened and FLOW may be closed.
• Swimming is organized in time slots of a specific duration. The duration can be subject to changes.
• At the end of a time slot all swimmers must leave the swimming zone.

Covid

• Due to the risk of epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19, the visit of FLOW is subject to the rules established by the National Security Council and to recommendations from the competent ministries.
• The internal regulations deal with general precautions, but can be adapted to the severity of the local health situation.
• These adaptations and specific measures will be communicated at the entrance of FLOW and must be followed closely.
• Every visitor to FLOW is expected to know and comply with the internal regulations and any annexes.
• Be responsible, care for yourself and others.

Changing cabins

• The changing rooms are for changing purposes only, no other activities are permitted. You will not remain in the changing room longer than necessary.
• Only the family or group cabin is accessible to several people.
• Please leave the cabins tidy for the people coming after you.

Lockers

• You can store small personal belongings in the lockers.
• To use the lockers you need a padlock. You can bring your own padlock or buy one at the entrance.
• The number of lockers is limited. Please don’t store your items longer than necessary so that other people can use them too.
• Make sure that you empty the lockers the latest before the closing hour of FLOW. All lockers will be opened and checked in the evening by the organisation.
• The organisation is not responsible for the content stored in the lockers in case of theft or damage.

Swimwear

• Only dedicated clean swimwear is allowed in the swimming zone (swimming trunks and shorts, bathing suits, bikinis and full cover bathing suits). Streetwear and underwear is not allowed.
• Swimming nappies are compulsory for non-sanitary children.
• Please protect yourself and those you are responsible for from the sun at the decks and around the pool.
• General behavior in FLOW
• Don’t litter, leave your garbage in the garbage bins.
• Not everyone shares your taste in music. Don’t use Bluetooth speakers or other amplifiers.
• No smoking, no alcohol, no glass in FLOW.
• No animals at FLOW (except for assistance dogs).

Behavior in the swimming zone around the pool

• The instructions of the lifeguards and pool attendants must be followed at all times.
• You must pass through the foot bath with both feet when entering the swimming zone.
• Store your belongings in the wardrobe at the entrance of the swimming zone. No other items than towels are allowed on the deck around the swimming pool.
• No street shoes in the swimming zone. Leave them with your belongings in the wardrobe.
• Taking a shower is mandatory for everyone before the swimming.
• Shampoo and soap are only allowed in the showers.
• Not allowed are dangerous games such as: sitting or standing on each other's shoulders, pushing each other into the water, or holding each other underwater. It is forbidden to dive into the pool from the sides.
• The use of (inflatable) balls and playing equipment is only permitted after approval by the responsible lifeguard.
• Special consideration must be given to children and the elderly.
• Children who cannot swim must wear buoyancy aids at all times while in the pool. The accompanying persons must be swimmers and supervise the children at all times.
• In the interest of your own safety, people with health problems (heart patients, diabetes, epilepsy, ...) are asked to inform the lifeguard(s) responsible before entering the water.
• Specific diving exercises (apnea, depth training, ...) are not allowed during recreational swimming. Diving exercises are only allowed in a club context and this according to legal requirements.
• It is not allowed to eat in the swimming zone, nor in and around the changing rooms. Chewing gum is not allowed in the swimming zone.
• A reusable water bottle filled with water is permitted at the swimming pool. This drinking container must not cause any inconvenience to other visitors. Babies may drink milk from a closed feeding bottle (no fruit or vegetable porridge) and may be breastfed.

Group activities

• Each organised group must be accompanied by a responsible person (18+) who will inform the group members about these regulations. There must be at least one supervisor per 8 swimmers (0-16 years). Depending on the age, health condition, or other specificities of the swimmers more supervisors must be present. The responsibles supervise from the side and ensure that his or her group carefully adheres to the rules and safety regulations.
• These internal regulations also apply during school, club or group swimming.
• Additional specific agreements apply.

Events and activities not related to swimming

• The basic conditions of the internal regulations apply on all activities in FLOW. However, for specific events special conditions can be added or general conditions can be altered. These conditions will be communicated at the entrance.

Respect

• Sexual harassment will not be tolerated in any form, whether through gazing, gestures, expressions or touching. Everyone is to be respected, regardless of gender and swimwear.
• No cameras or recorders in the swimming zone.
• Respect the individual privacy when photographing or filming outside the swimming zone.

The following are not permitted

(This list is not exhaustive. If there is any ambiguity, the management will judge whether or not it is permissible.)

• Harassing or deliberately interfering with other persons.
• Running around the pool or in the changing rooms. It is typical for a swimming pool that the floor can be wet and slippery.
• Indecent or rude behaviour.
• Damaging the pool, changing rooms and/or sanitary facilities, including by writing or soiling.
• Climbing or jumping over balustrades or dis-respecting access restrictions.
• Touching or moving life-saving equipment without necessity.
• Bringing electrical equipment (including sound equipment and photo/recording material) and making recordings, unless approved by a FLOW coordinator.
• Bringing sharp objects into the changing rooms or swimming pool.
• Spitting in and around the pool.
• Smoking in and around the pool, changing rooms, corridors, etc.
• Posting publications in FLOW without the permission of a coordinator.
• Ignore the instructions of the personnel.

Valuable tips

• Leave money, jewellery and valuables at home. If this is not possible, store them safely in the lockers. Bring them back home after your visit.
• Our pool staff is at your disposal for any questions or suggestions.
• If you experience a strange or annoying situation, the staff of FLOW is always willing to explain or solve it.
• If you would like to receive a copy of these regulations, you can always ask at the reception desk.

Liability

• Neither the management of FLOW nor the swimming pool attendants are liable for accidents, theft or damage to property in FLOW (in the water, in the changing rooms, lockers or in the surroundings).
• The presence of lifeguards does not relieve swimmers and their supervisors of their own responsibility.
• Anyone causing damage will be held legally responsible and asked to pay for it.
• Please leave found objects at the reception or with one of the lifeguards.

Remarks and/or suggestions

• If, despite our efforts to make your stay as pleasant as possible, you have a suggestion or remark to make, please contact the reception or the coordinator. We will follow up your comment as soon as possible.

Sanctions

• In the event of non-compliance with the internal regulations, you will be asked to leave FLOW.
• In case of repeated problems, you may be denied access to FLOW in the future.
• Any dangerous behaviour that endangers others may be subject to legal action.
• All interactions and behaviours of the public that prevent rescue personnel from responding to a person in difficulty will be prosecuted as endangerment and obstruction of a FLOW team member.