In every swimming pool at least one skimming device shall be provided for each eight hundred (800) square feet of surface area or fraction thereof. Skimmers shall be located at least thirty feet (30') apart. Handholds shall be provided and consist of all bullnosed coping not over two and one-half inches (21/2") thick for the two inches (2") or an equivalent approved handhold. The handhold must be no more than nine inches (9") above the normal water line. Skimming devices shall be built into the pool wall, shall adequately remove floated oils and waste and shall meet the following general specifications:
A. Flow Through Rate: Each skimmer shall be designed for a flow through rate of at least thirty (30) gallons per minute and a total capacity of all skimmers on any pool shall be at least fifty percent (50%) of the required flow of the recirculation system.
B. Automatically Adjustable: They shall be automatically adjustable with variations in water level over a range of at least three inches (3").
C. Basket Or Screen: An easily removable and cleanable basket or screen through which all overflow water must pass shall be provided to trap large solids.
D. Airlock Prevention: The skimmer shall be provided with a device to prevent airlock in the suction line. If an equalizer pipe is used, it shall provide an adequate amount of make up water for pump suction should the water of the pool drop below the air level. This pipe shall be at least two inches (2") in diameter and shall be located at least one foot (1') below the lowest overflow level of the skimmer.
E. Equalizer Line: An equalizer line shall be provided with a valve that will remain tightly closed under normal operating conditions, but will automatically open at a differential of not more than four inches (4") between the pool level and the level of the overflow tank.
F. Overflow Weir: The overflow weir shall be of sufficient length to maintain a rate of flow of at least twenty (20) gallons per minute per linear foot of weir lip. (1997 Code)