§ 13-188. Construction.

(a)

Finish and materials. Pools shall be constructed of inert, impervious, durable, non-toxic materials that will provide a smooth, watertight and easily cleanable surface. All horizontal, interior pool surfaces at pool depths of five (5) feet or less, including steps, benches, or seats, shall be non-slip. The surface shall have no cracks or open joints and interior corners shall be coved. Except for water line tiles, maximum twelve (12) inch wide racing lane markers, or wall turn targets, the surface below normal water level shall be finished in a very light color. Vinyl pool liners are prohibited. Rough and abrasive materials are prohibited. Any pool with a metal-based shell or utilizing dissimilar metals shall be provided with sacrificial anodes or other approved means to reduce galvanic action and electrolytic corrosion. There shall be no extensions, means of entanglement or other obstructions in the pool that may cause entrapment or injury to the user.

(b)

Design. Pools shall be constructed to provide adequate water circulation, bather access and egress and to afford proper operational control. Pool proportioning between deep and shallow water shall be in accordance with the anticipated uses of the pool, with sound engineering and public health design and construction principles in accordance with (see Appendix - Figure No. 1 Minimum / maximum dimension requirements) the ANSI Standard for Public Swimming Pools. No pool(s) shall be constructed in a manner that limits the use of life saving equipment, limits the pool operator's ability to supervise the facility or creates a hazard to bathers. No pool shall have more than twenty (20) percent of its perimeter elevated continuously. Vertical edged corners and all protrusions greater than six (6) inches below water level shall have a minimum three-inch radius. Horizontal edges and corners of steps, benches, seats, and similar surfaces shall have a minimum one-inch radius. The wall-to-floor juncture shall be coved with a minimum three-inch radius. Interior walls shall be vertical and shall not be greater than eleven (11) degrees from plumb.

(c)

Size. The minimum pool surface area shall be five hundred (500) square feet, except where otherwise described in this article. Calculations for determining size of a pool and the number and type of associated facilities shall be based on the maximum bathing load. Pool usage shall not exceed the maximum bathing load. The bathing load shall be calculated on the basis of one (1) person for each ten (10) square feet of pool surface area where the depth is less than or equal to five (5) feet; one (1) person for each twenty (20) square feet of pool surface in that portion where the depth exceeds five (5) feet approved diving area; and one (1) person for every three hundred (300) square feet where depths exceed five (5) feet and one (1) or more diving boards/platforms are installed. The department shall determine the bathing load for any pool that is designated as a "Special Purpose" pool, any pool with use restrictions, or pools serving facilities with no dwelling units. Pool bathing load shall be determined by the department based on the anticipated usage and assessment of other, similar facilities.

(d)

Depths. Minimum water depths shall be determined by the intended use of the pool. Depth at the slope-break shall not be greater than five (5) feet for pools with depths exceeding five (5) feet. In the diving well, depth shall be as stipulated in the ANSI Standard for Public Swimming Pools Section entitled "Diving" and in accordance with the minimum specifications as indicated in the (see Appendix — Figure No. 2) "Minimum Water Envelopes" from the same standard.

(1)

Depth markers. Permanent, easily-readable, depth markers shall be provided with minimum four (4) inch high, black numbers and letters with a white background, indicated in feet and, when applicable, in inches (i.e., 5 FT or 5 FEET; 3 FT 6 IN or 3 FEET 6 INCHES). Metric depth markings can be used in conjunction with, but not substitute for, required depth markers. The depth of water shall be indicated on the vertical pool wall at or above the waterline. Depth markers shall indicate the actual pool depth within three (3) inches at normal operating water level when measured three (3) feet from the pool wall or at a tangent point where the cove radius meets the floor, whichever is deeper. Depth markers on the vertical pool wall shall be positioned to be read from the waterside. Depth markers shall be placed in such a way that they allow as much of the numerical value to be visible above the waterline as possible. Deck depth markers shall be installed within eighteen (18) inches of the pool wall and positioned to be read while standing on the deck facing the pool water. Horizontal depth markers shall be slip resisting. Depth markers shall be installed at the maximum and minimum water depths and at all points of slope change. Depth markers shall be installed at intermediate increments of water depth not to exceed two (2) feet. Depth markers shall be spaced not to exceed twenty-five (25) feet intervals. Depth markers shall be arranged uniformly on both sides and both ends of the pool. Depth markers on irregularly-shaped pools shall designate depths at all major deviations in shape.

(2)

"No diving" markers. Deck areas at the shallow portion of the pool or where pool depths are five (5) feet or less shall be permanently marked "No Diving" in black letters with a white background with minimum two (2) inch high lettering, each warning spaced evenly around the pool perimeter, located next to depth markers "No Diving" markers shall be easily readable and slip resisting. An international "No Diving" symbol may be used in conjunction with, but not in lieu of approved, lettered, "No Diving" markers. "No Diving" markers shall be installed within eighteen (18) inches of the pool wall.

(e)

Bottom slopes. The pool floor shall slope uniformly and continuously from the shallow point of the pool at a maximum of one (1) foot in twelve (12) feet to the deep point, the slope break, or other approved depth change. In pools with depths exceeding five (5) feet, the floor shall have a maximum uniform slope of one (1) foot in three (3) feet, see Appendix — Figure No. 1 — Minimum/maximum dimension requirements. Each pool shall be constructed to facilitate complete drainage of the pool.

(f)

Steps and ladders. Steps and/or ladders shall be in such number and location as to provide bathers safe egress from the pool. They shall have an easily-cleanable, corrosion-resistant, impervious material, with treads that have a non-slip finish, and shall be self-draining. Steps shall have a maximum riser height of twelve (12) inches and a minimum tread depth of twelve (12) inches with a minimum unobstructed width of twenty (20) inches on both sides of each step. All steps shall have handrails anchored in the bottom step and extended over the coping and anchored in the deck, or a handrail double anchored in the deck that extends out to the center of the bottom step with a maximum height of six (6) inches above the normal water level at that point. Recessed step treads shall have a uniform vertical spacing of twelve (12) inches maximum and seven (7) inches minimum, with a minimum depth of five (5) inches and minimum width of twelve (12) inches. The maximum distance from the coping edge to the upper tread shall be twelve (12) inches. Recessed treads shall be self-draining. Each set of recessed treads shall be provided with a set of handrails or grab rails to serve all treads. An additional step or ladder will be required for each additional seventy-five (75) feet or major fraction thereof of pool perimeter over one hundred and fifty (150) feet. Steps shall be clearly and permanently marked on the horizontal surface, within two (2) inches of the step edge, by a minimum two (2) inches dark, continuous line of slip resisting tile.

(g)

Benches and seats. Benches and seats shall be clearly and permanently marked on the horizontal surface within two (2) inches of the step edge, by a minimum two (2) inches dark, continuous line of slip resisting tile.

(h)

Decks. A deck no less than five (5) feet in width, as measured from the inside wall of a pool, shall surround a minimum of sixty-five (65) percent of the pool perimeter. No non-deck area shall exceed twenty (20) feet or twenty (20) percent of the pool perimeter whichever is less. Where immediate access to the pool from the deck or from the deck to pool is prohibited or limited by the extended height of a pool wall, a column, or other structure, a stainless steel grab rail shall be installed continuously along the entire pool wall, at the normal water level, in the areas where access is prohibited or limited.

(1)

Minimum deck width. A minimum of four (4) feet of unobstructed deck is required behind diving boards and platforms as measured from the edge of the board's or platform's ladder or handrail, whichever is the greatest distance. A minimum of ten (10) feet of complying deck shall separate a pool from any other pool.

(2)

Minimum deck area. The minimum, complying deck area required shall be equal in size to or greater than the pool surface area.

(3)

Deck surface. The required deck shall be unobstructed in all directions and shall be constructed at the same elevation as the outside edge of the coping. Minimum vertical clearance throughout the deck area shall be six (6) feet, eight (8) inches, except the ceiling for an indoor pool, which shall be eight (8) feet. The deck shall be light-colored, slip resisting, easily cleanable and drain properly. Rough and abrasive surfaces are prohibited. Prohibited deck surfaces include gravel, pea gravel, epoxy gravel, wood, carpeting, and vinyl. A sample of the deck surface material shall be submitted, other than broom-finished concrete, for approval prior to installation.

(4)

Deck slope and drainage. Decks shall have a minimum transverse slope of one-quarter (¼) inch per foot and a maximum of one-half (½) inch per foot away from the pool or toward deck drains. The plane of the deck surface shall be uniform, with no steps, curbs, or similar structures, within the minimum required, complying deck area. Decks shall not retain any standing water greater than one-eighth ( 1/8 ) inches in depth or greater than one (1) square foot of area for a period of time not to exceed twenty (20) minutes. Deck drainage shall not be incorporated with any pool water or any potable water source. Deck drain grates shall be secured, yet easily removable with an appropriate tool to facilitate cleaning the drains. Adjacent areas to the deck and walkway(s) within the pool enclosure shall be safe and well drained.

(5)

Coping. A coping block made with a bull nosed, raised projection or other approved design, with a minimum one (1) inch radius, shall be installed along the entire perimeter of the pool except at the entry point for zero-depth entry pools. The coping shall not retain any water. The coping shall be considered as pool decking.

(6)

Hose bibs. Hose bibs, with backflow prevention, shall be installed within the pool enclosure and located no more than one hundred (100) feet apart.

(7)

Deck joints and gaps. The maximum gaps in decks, between pool decks and the coping, or between other decks or walkways, shall be one half (½) inch of horizontal clearance with a maximum vertical elevation of one quarter (¼) inch. Control joints in decks shall be provided to minimize the potential for cracks. Construction joints where pool coping meets concrete deck(s) or other adjacent structures shall be watertight.

(8)

Deck edges. The edge and corners of deck(s) shall be rounded, tapered or designed and constructed to eliminate sharp corners.

(9)

Trash receptacle. A minimum of one (1) covered and lined trash receptacle shall be provided and placed in a convenient location in the pool area.

(i)

Construction tolerances. The certified pool contractor shall state on the plans of a pool that construction and design tolerances shall comply with the current edition of the ANSI/NSPI-1, "American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools."