Plumbing installation, modification, repair or alteration of a pool or spa shall conform to the currently adopted plumbing code and the additional following requirements:
A. Water Quality: All water treatment, filtration and recirculation devices, and hydraulic lines and systems shall be approved by the health authority for a public pool or spa per Nevada administrative code 444.100 prior to permit issuance. Water features designed for full or partial human submersion open to the public shall be reviewed and approved by the health authority per Nevada administrative code 444.100 prior to permit issuance. Water quality in water features which do not come in contact with the public and private pools and spas shall be maintained in such a manner that a nuisance is not created pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes 40.140.
B. Heating Equipment: Heating equipment shall conform to the provisions of the currently adopted mechanical, plumbing and electrical codes. Installation of such equipment shall be according to the manufacturer's instructions and listing. Heating equipment shall be located on a minimum three inch (3") thick pad of concrete or other approved material. The top of the pad shall be a minimum of three inches (3") above adjacent grade and shall be appropriately sized to accommodate all equipment. Alternate locations, such as vaults or pits, are subject to the city of Elko approval. When pool or spa water heating equipment is installed with a full way type shutoff valve between the outlet of the heater and the pool or spa, an approved pressure relief valve shall be installed on the discharge side of the water heating equipment. Vents shall terminate with clearances as follows:
1. A minimum of four feet (4') below; or one foot (1') above; or four feet (4') horizontally from a door, an operable window or a gravity air inlet into a building.
2. A minimum of three feet (3') above a forced air inlet that is within ten feet (10') of the vent.
3. A minimum of four feet (4') from a property line, except a public way.
4. Vents shall terminate per the manufacturer's listing.
C. Underground Installation: Underground installation of plumbing lines to include water supply, drain, vacuum and circulating lines and gas piping systems shall be installed on a minimum three inch (3") base and four inch (4") cover of clean sand in place at time of inspection.
D. Water Piping: Swimming pools and spas shall use approved type "L" copper or approved PVC pipe of a minimum schedule 40 PVC meeting the NSF PW-14 standard or equal. PVC pipe shall be bent using heat by thermostatically controlled equipment. All plastic pipe exposed to sunlight shall be protected with an approved tape wrapping or paint. Water piping shall be pressure tested at twenty (20) psi for fifteen (15) minutes.
E. Gas Piping: Natural gas piping systems shall conform to the provisions of the currently adopted plumbing code. All other approved systems shall be tested at sixty (60) psi for thirty (30) minutes. Liquefied petroleum gas piping systems shall conform to the provisions of the NFPA 54. Threaded ferrous metal gas pipe systems shall be pressure tested at ten (10) psi for fifteen (15) minutes.
F. Water Supply: Pools and spas shall have water directly supplied through a water supply inlet. The water supply inlet for public pools shall comply with the health authority standards. The water supply inlet on private pools shall be protected by a one inch (1") air gap or approved backflow protection device. A positive point of potable water supply to each swimming pool shall be established and shall be installed with a reduced pressure principle backflow assembly.
1. Exception: Private pools and spas may be provided with a water supply consisting of an approved backflow protection device (vacuum breaker) located on the discharge side of the last valve or a sill cock (hose bib) from which a water hose may be attached.
G. Wastewater: Wastewater from pools and spas shall be discharged to the public sewer through a permanently installed waste line. Wastewater shall not be discharged to a septic tank. No direct connection shall be made between any storm sewer, storm drain, sanitary sewer, drainage system, drywell or subsoil irrigation line and any line connected to a swimming pool or spa. The permanently installed waste line shall discharge through an air gap waste connection of the following type: an approved interceptor; a sand trap which is vented and provided with a cleanout on the discharge side; or a "P" trap of a minimum size of three inches (3"). The air gap shall be at least twice the effective diameter at the pipe, or if the pipe is affected by sidewalls, at least three (3) times the effective diameter of the pipe. In no case shall an air gap separation be less than one inch (1").
1. Exception: If a public sewer service is not available, the city of Elko may authorize the wastewater to be discharged aboveground and used for irrigation purposes. The wastewater shall not be allowed to drain to adjacent properties or the public way. This authorization may be revoked if a hazardous, nuisance or unsanitary condition occurs.
2. Exception: For private pools and spas, a minimum one and one-half inch (11/2") hose connection may be used as a waste line.
H. Entrapment Avoidance: The suction inlet for pool and spa cleaning systems shall be protected against user entrapment by installation of an antivortex cover. A minimum of two (2) suction inlets shall be provided in the suction system. Separation of such inlets shall be a minimum of three feet (3') on the horizontal plane, or located on two (2) different planes. (For example: 1 on the bottom and 1 on a vertical plane, 1 each on 2 separate walls, or 1 skimmer and 1 main drain on the same suction line.) The suction outlets shall be plumbed so water is drawn simultaneously without valves, through the inlets to a common line to the pump system.
I. Filtering And Recirculation: Pools and spas shall be equipped with a filtering and recirculation system. Equipment shall be mounted on a minimum three inch (3") thick pad of concrete or other approved materials. The pad shall be a minimum of three inches (3") above adjacent grade and sized to accommodate all equipment. All equipment shall be listed by a recognized testing agency for the appropriate use. The circulation system shall provide a complete turnover of water within the time frame specified below:
Public pool | 6 hours | |
Private pool | 12 hours | |
Public spa | 0.5 hour | |
Private spa | 1 hour |
Filter, circulation systems, scum gutters and skimmers that are located in public pools and spas shall conform to the health authority regulations. Inlets for fresh or repurified water in all pools and spas shall be located to produce uniform circulation of water throughout the entire pool or spa.
J. Over Sewer Lines: Swimming pools or inground spas shall not be constructed over a sewer line, unless the sewer line is of cast iron material and prior approval from the city of Elko is obtained.
K. Septic Systems: All swimming pool and spa water filter and circulation piping within twenty five feet (25') of a septic system shall conform to the health authority regulations. (Ord. 696, 5-27-2008; amd. Ord. 721, 2-8-2011)