CEN/TS 17676:2022

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2023
Smernice za varno delovanje fitnes centrov med izbruhom nalezljivih bolezni
Guidelines for the safe operation of fitness centres during an infectious outbreak
Leitlinien für den sicheren Betrieb von Fitness-Studios während des Ausbruchs von
Infektionskrankheiten
Directives pour le fonctionnement sécurisé des centres de remise en forme pendant une
épidémie infectieuse
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 17676:2022
ICS:
03.080.30 Storitve za potrošnike Services for consumers
97.220.01 Športna oprema in Sports equipment and
pripomočki na splošno facilities in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN/TS 17676
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
October 2022
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
ICS 03.080.30; 97.220.01
English Version
Guidelines for the safe operation of fitness centres during
an infectious outbreak
Directives pour le fonctionnement sécurisé des centres Leitlinien für den sicheren Betrieb von Fitness-Studios
de remise en forme pendant une épidémie infectieuse während des Ausbruchs von Infektionskrankheiten
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 20 June 2022 for provisional application.

The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to
submit their comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.

CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS
available promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in
parallel to the CEN/TS) until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2022 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 17676:2022 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Risk assessment of the fitness centre’s facilities . 9
5 Users, staff and contractors using the fitness facility . 10
6 Cleaning and hygiene control . 21
7 Ventilation . 23
8 Protocols in the facility . 25
Annex A (informative) Guidance on undertaking a risk assessment . 26
A.1 General. 26
A.2 Occupational risk assessment in the context of operating during an infectious
outbreak . 26
A.3 The start and conduct of a risk assessment study . 28
A.4 Risk overarching principles . 29
A.5 Risk assessment study . 29
Bibliography . 31

European foreword
This document (CEN/TS 17676:2022) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 136 “Sports,
playground and other recreational facilities and equipment”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic experience of 2020-21 showed a mixed picture of how fitness facilities were
able to open and operate under varied national and sometimes legal restrictions. A review of the guidance
offered by European governments, health officials and experts from the fitness and sport sectors showed
variation in their application of approaches. With the benefit of the practical experience from the COVID-
19 pandemic, it has been possible to draft this document containing European guidelines and
recommendations that help implement the safest possible health and hygiene measures at fitness centres,
so that they are potentially able to operate in the event of future infectious outbreaks.
These guidelines can be used as a tool to:
— minimize the spread of a pandemic virus;
— keep users, staff and contractors as risk free as possible, and,
— bring clarity and to establish user confidence.
When deemed appropriate by health authorities, keeping fitness facilities open during an infectious
outbreak will help to:
— maintain levels of health-enhancing physical activity, which will also mitigate longer-term healthcare
costs and the effects of mental welfare and social isolation;
— underpin the financial security of the business;
— keep fitness facility staff in employment;
— keep a community resource operating.
Allowing people to exercise safely and effectively considerably adds to their social, mental and physical
wellbeing.
This document can be used to reduce the risk of infectious transmission so that if possible, and within
national government requirements, fitness facilities could remain open during an outbreak. The expertise
of independent external experts from the following fields of work has been considered in the
development of this document:
— Virology
— Public health
— Membership systems (incl. data protection issues)
— Control of aerosol transmission
Additionally, national guidance documents published during the COVID-19 pandemic from across Europe
have been widely consulted in the preparation of this document.
1 Scope
This document specifies guidelines and recommendations for the safe operation and management of
fitness centres during an infectious outbreak. This document sets out guidelines relative to the wide
range of operating models for fitness centres with a framework of good practices for operators to use.
This includes the operational and managerial procedures for offering and delivering the service covering
users, staff, and contractors whilst on the premises.
The guidelines of this document cover, but are not limited to:
a) overall risk reduction;
b) the practise of physical distancing and control of users;
c) air treatment and ventilation;
d) cleaning, hygiene and health protocols;
e) management and training of staff and use of personal protective equipment.
This document is applicable to all publicly accessible fitness centres where physical activity for groups
and/or individuals is delivered to all its users in order to provide a safe and controlled environment.
This document does not cover fitness centres where physical activity is exclusively secondary business.
Requirements of operations and supervision as described in
— EN 17229 Fitness centres - Requirements for centre amenities and operation - Operational and
managerial requirements, and
— prEN 17229-2 Fitness centres - Requirements for centre amenities and operation - Part 2: Requirements
for supervision and staff
fully apply to this document.
WARNING Fitness instructors stay within the scope of their professional practice. Users of fitness
facilities who have recovered from or have suffered mental or psychological implications from an
infection may need higher skilled fitness instructors to supervise them exercising. EN 17229 defines the
requirements for higher skilled fitness instructors such advanced fitness instructor or exercise for health
specialists which are referenced to Level 5 or above of the European Qualification Framework (EQF) [1].
Possibly, there may also be the need for fitness instructors to seek the advice and guidance of other
healthcare professionals.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
fitness centre
publicly accessible place where diverse physical fitness activities for groups and/or individuals are
delivered
Note 1 to entry: A fitness centre can comprise of an exercising area with equipment-based strength training, free
weights, portable/fixed equipment and/or most often also cardiovascular training equipment/machines and/or
frequently also group fitness training in specific rooms or in a studio.
3.2
infectious diseases
diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi
3.3
disinfection
removal, destruction or de-activation of microorganisms on objects or surfaces
[SOURCE: ISO 14644-5:2004; definition 3.1.4 [2]]
3.4
physical distancing
practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical space between oneself and other people or of
avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease
in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection
[SOURCE: Merriam-Webster [3]]
3.5
face mask
tight-fitting respiratory interface covering the mouth, nose, eyes and chin, worn
specially to reduce the spread of infectious agents, such as viruses or bacteria
3.6
face mask
CE marked medical device intended to limit the transmissions of infective agents from
the user
3.7
face covering
facepiece covering the mouth, nose and chin fitted with the head harness which can be head or ears
attachment
Note 1 to entry: The covering can be made of materials such as polypropylene fibre or cotton fabric
Note 2 to entry: Face coverings are not classified as PPE according to Regulation EU/2016/425
Note 3 to entry: Face coverings are mainly intended to protect others and not the wearer. When used correctly, they
cover the nose and mouth. A face covering minimizes the projection of user's respiratory droplets saliva, sputum or
respiratory secretions when talking, coughing or sneezing. This face covering may also limit penetration in the
user’s area of nose and mouth of the respiratory droplets from external origin without claiming the user protection.
It also prevents this user’s area from any contact with the hands
[SOURCE: CWA 17553:2020, definition 2.3 [4] – modified – The preferred term has been changed from
the term ‘community face covering’ to the term ‘face covering’]
3.8
biocidal product
any substance or mixture, in the form in which it is supplied to the user, consisting of, containing or
generating one or more active substances, with the intention of destroying, deterring, rendering
harmless, preventing the action of, or otherwise exerting a controlling effect on, any harmful organism
by any means other than mere physical or mechanical action
Note 1 to entry: This also includes any substance or mixture, generated from substances or mixtures which do not
themselves fall under the first indent, to be used with the intention of destroying, deterring, rendering harmless,
preventing the action of, or otherwise exerting a controlling effect on, any harmful organism by
...