This chapter describes certain criteria for the design, manufacturing, and testing of onground storable pools intended for residential use. This includes portable pools with flexible or nonrigid side walls that achieve their structural integrity by means of uniform shape, support frame or a combination thereof, and that can be disassembled for storage or relocation. This chapter includes what has been commonly referred to in past standards or codes as onground or above-ground pools.
In addition to the requirements of this chapter, onground storable residential swimming pools shall also comply with the requirements of Chapter 3.
The slope of the floor from the shallow end wall towards the deep area shall not exceed 1 unit vertical in 7 units horizontal to the point of the first slope change.
The slope of the floor from the point of the first slope change towards the deepest point shall not exceed 1 unit vertical in 3 units horizontal.
The slope adjacent to the shallow area shall not exceed 1 unit vertical in 3 units horizontal and the slope adjacent to the side walls shall not exceed 1 unit vertical in 1 unit horizontal.
The point of the first slope change shall be defined as the point at which the shallow area slope exceeds 1 unit vertical in 7 units horizontal and is not less than 6 feet (1889 mm) from the shallow end wall of the pool.
The manufacturer’s name and the liner identification number shall be affixed to the onground storable residential pool vinyl liner.
Onground storable pools shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pools shall have a means of entry and exit consisting of not less than one ladder or a ladder and staircase combination.
Type A, double access, and Type B, limited access, A-frame ladders shall comply with Sections 702.2.1 through 702.2.7.
See Figure 702.2. 
FIGURE 702.2
TYPICAL A-FRAME LADDER TYPES A AND B
Ladders in the pool shall have a physical barrier to prevent children from swimming through the riser openings or behind the ladder.
Where an A-frame ladder has a platform between the handrails, the platform shall have a width of not less than 12 inches (305 mm) and a length of not less than 12 inches (305 mm). The platform shall be at or above the highest ladder tread. The walking surface of the platform shall be slip resistant.
A-frame ladders shall have two handrails or handholds that serve all treads. The height of the handrails or handholds shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm) above the platform or uppermost tread, whichever is higher.
The outside diameter of handrails or handholds shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm).
The clear distance between ladder handrails shall not be less than a space of 12 inches (305 mm).
Ladder treads shall have a horizontal uniform depth of not less than 2 inches (51 mm).
All risers shall be of a uniform height of not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not greater than 12 inches (305 mm). The vertical distance from the platform or top of the pool structure to the uppermost tread shall be uniform with other riser heights.
Exception: The height of the bottom riser shall be permitted to vary from the other risers.
Staircase ladders shall have not less than two handrails or handholds that serve all treads. The height of the handrails or handholds shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm) above the platform or uppermost tread, whichever is higher.
The outside diameter of handrails and handholds shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm).
Ladder treads shall have a horizontal uniform depth of not less than 4 inches (102 mm).
Risers shall be of a uniform height not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not greater than 12 inches (305 mm). The vertical distance from the platform or top of the pool structure to the uppermost tread shall be uniform with other riser heights.
Exception: The height of the bottom riser shall be permitted to vary from the other risers.
The top step of a staircase ladder shall be flush with the deck or between 7 inches (178 mm) to 12 inches (305 mm) below the deck level.
Steps shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 19 inches (483 mm) between the side rails.
There shall be a clearance of not less than 3 inches (76 mm) and not greater than 6 inches (152 mm) between the pool wall and the ladder.
Ladders shall be equipped with two handrails or handholds that extend above the platform or deck not less than 20 inches (508 mm).
The clear distance between ladder handrails shall not be less than 12 inches (305 mm).
The outside diameter of handrails and handholds shall be not less than 1 inch (25 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm).
Risers shall be a uniform height not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not greater than 12 inches (305 mm).
Exception: The height of the bottom riser shall be permitted to vary from the other risers.
The vertical distance from the pool coping, deck, or step surface to the uppermost tread shall be not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not greater than 12 inches (305 mm) and uniform with other riser heights.
Ladder treads shall have a horizontal uniform depth of not less than 2 inches (51 mm).
Ladders in the pool shall have a physical barrier to prevent children from swimming through the riser openings or behind the ladder.
In-pool stairs shall be equipped with not less than one handrail or handhold that serves all treads with a height of not less than 20 inches (508 mm) above the platform or uppermost tread, whichever is higher.
Where handrails are removable, they shall be installed such that they cannot be removed without the use of tools.
The leading edge of handrails shall be 18 inches (457 mm) ± 3 inches (± 76 mm), horizontally from the vertical plane of the bottom riser.
The outside diameter of handrails or handholds shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm).
Treads shall have an unobstructed horizontal depth of not less than 10 inches (254 mm) at all points and an unobstructed surface area of not less than 240 square inches (154 838 mm2).
Risers shall have a uniform height of not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not greater than 12 inches (305 mm).
Exceptions:
1. The height of the bottom riser can vary from the other risers.
2. The vertical distance from the pool coping, deck, or step surface to the uppermost tread shall be not less than 7 inches (178 mm), not greater than 12 inches (305 mm) and uniform with other riser heights.
Type F recessed in-pool stairs shall be in accordance with Sections 702.6.1 through 702.6.7. See Figure 702.5.
Ladders in the pool shall have a physical barrier to prevent children from swimming through the riser openings or behind the ladder.
In-pool stairs shall be equipped with not less than one handrail or handhold that serves all treads with a height of not less than 20 inches (508 mm) above the platform or uppermost tread, whichever is higher.
Where handrails are removable, they shall be installed such that they cannot be removed without the use of tools.
The leading edge of handrails shall be 18 inches (457 mm) ± 3 inches (± 76 mm), horizontally from the vertical plane of the bottom riser.
The outside diameter of handrails and handholds shall be not less than 11/4 inch (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm).
Treads shall have an unobstructed horizontal depth of not less than 10 inches (254 mm) at all points and an unobstructed surface area of not less than 240 square inches (0.17 m2).
Risers shall have a uniform height of not less than 7 inches (178 mm) and not greater than 12 inches (305 mm).
Exceptions:
1. The height of the bottom riser can vary from the other risers.
2. The vertical distance from the pool coping, deck, or step surface to the uppermost tread shall be not less than 7 inches (178 mm), not greater than 12 inches (305 mm) and uniform with other riser heights.
Decks provided by the pool manufacturer shall be installed accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Decks fabricated on-site shall be in accordance with the International Residential Code.
Cantilevered decks shall not exceed the height of the pool.
Decks that are installed flush with the top rail of the pool shall have all gap openings between the deck and top rails closed-off or capped.
Where a deck extends inside the top rail of the pool, it shall extend not more than 3 inches (76 mm) beyond the inside of the top rail of the pool in accordance with Figure 703.4 and shall have a smooth finish. 
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
FIGURE 703.4
TYPICAL CANTILEVER DECK SUPPORT
The deck walking surface shall be slip resistant.
Walk-around decks shall have a level walking surface of not less than 15 inches (381 mm) in width, as measured from the inside edge of the pool top rail to the outside of the pool walk-around. See Figure 703.6. 
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
FIGURE 703.6
WALK-AROUND DECK WIDTH
In climates subject to freezing, circulation system equipment shall be designed and fabricated to drain the pool water from the equipment and exposed piping, by removal of drain plugs and manipulating valves or by other methods in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Where circulation equipment is required by the manufacturer, the equipment shall be sized to provide a turnover of the pool water at least once every 12 hours. The system shall be designed to provide the required turnover rate based on the manufacturer’s specified maximum flow rate of the filter, with a clean media condition of the filter.