This chapter covers public pools and water containment systems used for aquatic recreation. This chapter provides specifications for the design, equipment, operation, signs, installation, sanitation, new construction, and rehabilitation of public pools for aquatic play. This chapter covers Class D-1 through Class D-6 public pools whether they are provided as stand-alone attractions or in various combinations in a composite attraction.
Where combinations of Class D-1 through Class D-6 pools exist within a facility, each element in the facility shall comply with the applicable code sections as if the element functioned as a part of a freestanding pool of Class D-1 through Class D-6.
In addition to the requirements of this chapter, aquatic recreation facilities shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 3.
In water depths of less than 5 feet (1524 mm), the floor slope shall be not greater than 1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8.3-percent slope) except where the function of the attraction requires greater slopes in limited areas.
Exception: The slope of the floor in Class D-3 pools shall not exceed 1 unit vertical in 7 units horizontal (14-percent slope).
Exception: The slope of the floor in Class D-3 pools shall not exceed 1 unit vertical in 7 units horizontal (14-percent slope).
Markings in areas of deep water shall comply with Section 409.2 except where the function of the pool dictates otherwise.
Where a Class D-2 pool has a batheraccessible depth greater than 41/2 feet (1372 mm), the floor shall have a distinctive marking at the 41/2 feet (1372 mm) water depth.
Where a pool has a water depth ranging from less than 5 feet (1524 mm) to greater than 5 feet (1524 mm), a rope and float line shall be located 1 foot (305 mm) horizontally from the 5-foot (1524 mm) depth location, toward the shallow end of the pool.
Pools having nonflush propulsion nozzles in the floor shall have a distinctive marking at the location of such nozzles.
A circulation system consisting of pumps, piping, return inlets and suction outlets, filters, and other necessary equipment shall be provided for complete circulation of water with the pool.
Circulation system equipment shall be designed to turn over 100 percent of the nominal pool water volume in the amount of time specified in Table 604.2. The system shall be designed to give the required turnover time based on the manufacturer's recommended maximum pressure and flow of the filter in clean media condition.
TABLE 604.2 TURNOVER TIME
TABLE 604.2 TURNOVER TIME
| CLASS OF POOL | MAXIMUM TURNOVER TIMEa (hours) |
| D-1 | 2 |
| D-2 with less than 24 inches water depth | 1 |
| D-2 with 24 inches or greater water depth | 2 |
| D-3 | 1 |
| D-4 | 2 |
| D-5 | 1 |
| D-6 | 1 |
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
a. Pools with a sand bottom require a 1-hour turnover time.
Circulation systems shall circulate treated and filtered water for 24 hours a day.
The circulation rate shall be permitted to be reduced during periods that the pool is closed for use provided that acceptable water clarity conditions are met prior to reopening the pool for public use. The reduced circulation rate shall not be zero.
Surface skimming systems shall be in accordance with Table 604.3.
TABLE 604.3 SURFACE SKIMMING SYSTEMS
TABLE 604.3 SURFACE SKIMMING SYSTEMS
| CLASS OF POOL | SURFACE SKIMMING SYSTEM |
| D-1 | Zero-depth trench located at static water level or other skimming systems |
| D-2 | Auto skimmer, zero-depth trench or gutters |
| D-3 | Auto skimmer, zero-depth trench or perimeter device |
| D-4 | Single or multiple skimmer devices for skimming flow |
| D-5 | Skimmers prohibited in side area |
| D-6 | Auto skimmer, zero-depth trench, or gutter |
The installation of skimmers in the side areas of Class D-5 pools shall be prohibited.
Handholds shall be provided in accordance with Section 323.
Exception: Handholds shall not be provided for wave action and action rivers.
Exception: Handholds shall not be provided for wave action and action rivers.
A rope and float line shall be provided for all of the following situations:
- Separation of activity areas.
- Identification of a break in floor slope at water depths of less than 5 feet (1524 mm).
- Identification of a water depth greater than 41/2 feet (1372 mm) in constant floor slope in Class D-2 pools.
The rope and float line shall be located 1 foot (305 mm) toward the shallow end in each location.
For Class D-1 pools, a rope and float line shall be installed to restrict bather access to the wave pool caisson wall. The location of the rope and float line shall be in accordance with the wave equipment manufacturer's instructions.
Rope and float lines shall be securely fastened to wall anchors made of corrosion-resistant materials. Wall anchors shall be of the recessed type and shall not have projections that will constitute a hazard when the rope and float line is removed.
Rope and float lines shall be not less than 5/8 inch (15.9 mm) in diameter and shall be made of polypropylene material.
The captured or standing water depth in Class D-6 pools shall be not more than 12 inches (305 mm).
The water depths in spray pools shall be not more than 6 inches (152 mm).
Multiple pools and spas within a single complex shall be permitted without barriers where a barrier separates the single complex from the surrounding property in accordance with Section 305.
The occupant load for the pools or spas in the facility shall be calculated in accordance with Table 608.1. The occupant load shall be the combined total of the number of users based on the pool or spa water surface area and the deck area surrounding the pool or spa. The deck area occupant load shall be based on the occupant load calculated where a deck is provided or based on an assumed 4 foot-wide (1219 mm) deck surrounding the entire perimeter of the pool or spa, whichever is greater.
TABLE 608.1 OCCUPANT LOAD
TABLE 608.1 OCCUPANT LOAD
| SHALLOW OR WADING AREAS | DEEP AREA (NOT INCLUDING THE DIVING AREA) | DIVING AREA (PER EACH DIVING BOARD) | DECK AREA | |
| Vessel water surface area | 8 sq. ft per user | 10 sq. ft. per user | 300 sq. ft. per user | — |
| Deck area | — | — | — | 1 user per 15 sq. ft. |
For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
For multiple pools and spas in a single aquatic recreation facility, the total facility occupant capacity shall not be limited by the number of occupants calculated in accordance with Section 608.1.
Pools shall have toilet facilities with the number of fixtures in accordance with Section 609.2.1 or 609.2.2.
Facilities that have less than 7500 gross square feet (697 m2) of water area available for bather access shall have not less than one water closet for males, one urinal for males, one lavatory for males, one shower for males, two water closets for females, one lavatory for females and one shower for females.
Facilities that have 7500 gross square feet (697 m2) or more of water area available for bather access shall have not less than 0.7 water closet for males, one urinal for males, 0.85 lavatory for males, one shower for males, two water closets for females, one lavatory for females and one shower for females for every 7500 square feet (697 m2) or portion thereof. Where the result of the fixture calculation is a portion of a whole number, the result shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Not less than one shower and not greater than half of the total number of showers required by Section 609.2 shall be located on the deck of or at the entrance of each pool.
Where heated water is provided to showers, the shower water supply shall be controlled by an anti-scald device.
Bather access to water heaters and thermostatically controlled mixing valves for showers shall be prohibited.
Each showerhead shall have a water flow of not less than 2 gallons per minute (7.6 lpm).
At each showerhead, the heated shower water temperature shall be not less than 90°F (32°C) and not greater than 120°F (49°C).
Soap dispensers shall be provided in each toilet facility. Soap dispensers shall dispense liquid or powdered soap. Reusable cake soap is prohibited.
Soap dispensers shall be made of metal or plastic. Glass materials shall be prohibited.
A toilet paper holder shall be provided at each water closet.
Where mirrors are provided, they shall be shatter resistant.
Sanitary napkin receptacles shall be provided in each water closet compartment for females and in the area of the showers for female use only.
A sanitary napkin dispenser shall be provided in each toilet facility for females.
Baby-changing tables shall be provided in toilet facilities having two or more water closets.
Entry and exit locations shall be in accordance with Table 610.1. The primary means of entry and exit shall consist of ramps, beach entries, pool stairs, or ladders.
TABLE 610.1 ENTRY AND EXIT LOCATIONS
TABLE 610.1 ENTRY AND EXIT LOCATIONS
| CLASS OF POOL | ENTRY AND EXIT LOCATIONS |
| D-1 | Entry at beach end only; exit at beach end, sides or end wall |
| D-2 | Entry and exit determined by the pool designer |
| D-3 | Entry prohibited from deck areas; exit by ladders, steps or ramps as determined by pool designer |
| D-4 | Entry and exit determined by the pool designer |
| D-5 | Entry and exit determined by the pool designer |
| D-6 | Entry and exit determined by the pool designer |
Where secondary means of entry and exit are provided, they shall consist of one of the following:
- Steps.
- Stairs.
- Ladders with grab rails.
- Recessed treads.
- Ramps.
- Beach entries.
- Swimouts.
- Designs that provide the minimum utility as specified in this code.
Where diving facilities are part of the attraction or pool complex, entries, exits, pool stairs, ladders, underwater benches, special features, and other accessories shall be located outside of the minimum diving water envelope in accordance with Figure 322.2.
The shallow end for beach entries and sloping entries shall be in accordance with Sections 610.4.1 through 610.4.4 or the regulations of the local jurisdiction.
The slope of sloping entries used as a pool entry shall not exceed 1 unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8.3-percent slope).
Where benches are used in conjunction with sloping entries, the vertical riser height shall not exceed 12 inches (305 mm).
Where steps are used in conjunction with sloping entries, all of the requirements of Section 610.5 shall apply.
Beach and sloping entry walking surfaces at water depths up to 18 inches (457 mm) shall be slip resistant.
Except for the bottom riser, risers at the centerline shall have a maximum uniform height of 9 inches (229 mm). The bottom riser height 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 greater than 9 inches (229 mm).
The leading edge of steps shall be distinguished by a color contrasting with the color of the steps and the pool floor.
Treads shall have an unobstructed horizontal depth of not less than 11 inches (279 mm).
Treads shall have an unobstructed surface area of not less than 240 square inches (.017 m2).
Swimouts shall be located completely outside of the water current or wave action of the pool or spa and can be located in shallow or deep areas of water.
Where a swimout is used as an entry and exit access point, it shall be provided with a step that meets the pool stair requirements (see Section 610.5).
The horizontal surface of a swimout shall be not greater than 20 inches (508 mm) below the waterline.
The leading edge of a swimout shall be visually set apart by a stripe having a width of not less than 3/4 inch (19 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). The stripe shall be of a contrasting color to the adjacent surfaces.
Underwater seats and benches shall comply with this section.
Underwater seats shall not be located in the diving water envelope.
Underwater seats shall have an unobstructed surface dimension of not less than 10 inches (254 mm) measured front to back and not less than 24 inches (610 mm) in width.
Underwater seats and benches shall not be used as an entry or exit for a pool but can be located in shallow or deep areas of water.
The horizontal surface of seats and benches shall be not greater than 20 inches (508 mm) below the waterline.
The leading edge of seats and benches shall be visually set apart by a stripe having a width not less than 3/4 inch (19 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). The stripe shall be of a contrasting color to the adjacent surfaces.
The top surface of seats and benches shall be slip resistant.
The design, construction, and operation of decorative objects and structures intended for climbing, walking, and hanging on by a bather are not covered by this code.
Floating devices not intended to be mobile shall be anchored in a manner to restrict movement to the range established by the designer. The anchoring of such floating devices shall be configured to minimize the possibility of entrapment of bathers, bodies, hair, limbs, and appendages should they come in contact with any element of the floating device or its anchors.
Signs stating rules, instructions, and warnings shall be posted. Signs for suction entrapment warning in accordance with Section 310 shall be posted. Signs shall be placed so that they squarely face approaching traffic. The center of the message panel shall be located not less than 66 inches (1676 mm) above the walking surface.
Signs shall not be mounted on fences and gates alongside of guest walkways and staircases.
Messages delivered on signs shall comply with all of the following:
- Messages shall be pertinent to the activity being performed or to be performed.
- Messages shall be specific by providing details about the activity.
- Messages shall be short and concise.
- Messages shall be direct without humor or embellishments.
The message text shall be in a clear, bold font such as Arial. The character height shall be proportional to 1 inch (25 mm) for 10 feet (3048 mm) of intended viewing distance but not less than 1 inch (25 mm).
General information signs shall be posted facility-wide and shall not be attraction specific.
Directional signs shall identify the location of services and attractions in the park and shall include directional arrows. Directional signs shall be posted at various crossroads in the facility.
Rule signs shall inform guests of the qualifications that they must meet to allow them to participate on a specific ride or attraction. Rules shall include, but are not limited to, limits for weight and height, proper attire and ride (and ride vehicle) stipulations. Rule signs shall be located at a point where the guests make the initial commitment to participate on the ride.
Instructional signs shall inform guests of specific instructions for the use of the ride. Instructions shall include, but are not limited to, riding posture, prohibited activity, and user exit requirements at the ride termination. Instructional signs shall be located along the queue approaching the ride dispatch area.
Sign panels shall be durable for the weather conditions and shall be resistant to damage from guests. The message surface shall be clean and smooth and shall readily accept paint or pre-cut lettering adhesives.
The panel shape and size for each class of signs shall be the same. Where the total message to be indicated is larger than what can be placed upon one sign, multiple signs of the same size shall be used to display the message.
Pictograms shall always be accompanied by text indicating the same message. Pictograms shall be designed to illustrate one clear and specific meaning to all individuals.
Theming or artwork applied to signs shall not invade the message panel. Signs shall have a distinct border.
Safety signs shall be in accordance with Section 412.
Where a pool could have a water temperature below 70°F (21°C), a cold water warning sign shall be posted at the point of entry to the pool or at the attraction using such water.