A. General: Pools and spas shall be constructed of reinforced concrete conforming to the currently adopted codes or as approved by the building official. If groundwater is present, a hydrostatic valve or other approved means shall be installed at the lowest point. Approved, listed manufactured pools and spas shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer's installation instructions and their listing. Any changes or modifications to listed manufactured pools, spas and waterscape shall require the submittal of plans to the city of Elko for approval. All plans submitted shall be properly stamped and signed by a properly licensed state of Nevada registered design professional. (Ord. 696, 5-27-2008; amd. Ord. 721, 2-8-2011)
B. Concrete And Steel Reinforcement: Concrete and steel reinforcement of concrete pools and spas shall be designed by a properly licensed state of Nevada registered design professional. The minimum design strength of the concrete shall be four thousand five hundred (4,500) pounds per square inch unless otherwise approved by the design professional (special inspections as per section 1704 of the 2009 international building code will not be mandatory unless noted by the design professional). The continuity of a bond beam shall not be interrupted for the installation of skimmers or similar apparatus. Reinforcing steel shall be continuous around the apparatus to tie in with the remainder of the bond beam. (Ord. 696, 5-27-2008; amd. Ord. 721, 2-8-2011; Ord. 723, 2-8-2011)
C. Walls And Floors: The materials used in pool and spa wall and floor construction shall conform to the provisions of the currently adopted building code. Walls and floors shall be designed and constructed of nonabsorbent material in a manner to be leakproof and structurally sound under all the conditions of the site. The inner surface of the pool or spa shall be coved, rounded, or bullnosed at all joints, corners, angles of bases, walls, floors, or curbs. No sharp corners or projections shall be permitted.
D. Entry/Egress:
1. Pools and spas with a depth greater than two feet (2') at pool walls shall be provided with a means of entry/egress. Pools exceeding thirty feet (30') in width or length shall have egress provided on opposite ends of those sides greater than thirty feet (30'). A seat meeting the requirements of subsection E2 of this section shall be considered as a second means of egress.
2. An entry/egress for a pool or spa shall be constructed to minimize hazards and consist of a ladder, stairs, or recessed treads or an alternate method approved by the city of Elko. The ladder, stairs or recessed treads shall comply with the following requirements, respectively:
a. Ladder: Ladders shall be of a corrosion resistant material and be provided with two (2) handholds or handrails. Ladder treads shall have a uniform vertical spacing of seven inches (7") minimum and twelve inches (12") maximum. Vertical spacing variation within each ladder shall not exceed one inch (1"). Treads shall have a minimum horizontal depth of one and one-half inches (11/2"). The top tread of the ladder shall be a maximum of twelve inches (12") below the coping, deck or exterior edge of the pool or spa.
b. Stairs/Steps: Stairs/steps shall have a slip resistant surface and rounded corners. Public pools shall have a maximum riser height of ten inches (10") with a minimum horizontal tread depth of twelve inches (12"). Riser height variation within each stair shall not exceed one inch (1"). (Note: The distance from the bottom of the pool to the bottom step shall not be considered a riser.) Private pools, spas and waterscape may have a maximum riser height of twelve inches (12") with a minimum horizontal tread depth of twelve inches (12"). Riser height variation within each stair shall not exceed one inch (1"). The distance from the bottom of the pool to the bottom step shall not be considered a riser.
c. Recessed Treads: Recessed treads shall be provided with a set of handrails or handholds to serve all treads and risers. Recessed treads shall have a uniform vertical spacing of seven inches (7") minimum and twelve inches (12") maximum. Recessed treads shall have a minimum depth of five inches (5") and a minimum width of twelve inches (12"). The uppermost tread shall be a maximum of twelve inches (12") below the coping, deck or exterior edge of the pool or spa.
E. Deck, Seat Or Handholds: Pools and spas greater than three feet (3') in water depth shall be provided with a deck made of a slip resistant material or alternate method as approved by the city of Elko. Manmade decorative waterscape and planters behind a rolled bond beam may interrupt the deck. In these cases seats or handholds may be used for safety and emergency provisions, and shall be a maximum of every four feet (4') around the perimeter of the pool or spa. The deck, seat or handholds shall comply with the following requirements, respectively:
1. Deck: The deck shall be a minimum of thirty inches (30") wide and slope one-fourth inch (1/4") per foot away from pool, property lines and house footings. The deck shall be placed a maximum of twelve inches (12") above the normal operating water level to qualify as a handhold. Public pools and spas shall have a minimum deck width of four feet (4'). Decks shall be sloped to effectively drain to either deck drains or perimeter areas away from the pool or spa.
2. Seat: An underwater seat, bench or swim out shall be a minimum of twelve inches (12") long and a maximum of twenty four inches (24") below the water surface.
3. Handhold: A handhold shall consist of any of the following:
a. A continuous coping, ledge or handhold shall be a minimum width of three inches (3") and placed a maximum of twelve inches (12") above the water surface or no greater than four inches (4") below water level. Individual handholds must be at least six inches (6") in length and one and one-half inches (11/2") in depth. Attachment must be made by an approved listed waterproof epoxy.
b. A permanently secured rope of a minimum diameter of three- fourths inch (3/4") or a railing of one and one-fourth inches (11/4") to two inches (2") in diameter placed at a maximum of twelve inches (12") above the water surface.
c. Ladders, steps or recessed treads complying with subsection D, "Entry/Egress", of this section.
F. Site Drainage: Site drainage shall be provided to direct all perimeter deck drainage, general site and roof drainage away from the pool, spa and adjacent buildings and structures. Deck drains must terminate a minimum of twenty four inches (24") from the foundation of any structure.
G. Diving Boards/Slides: Pools equipped with diving boards or slides shall be engineered and designed to comply with standards such as ANSI/NSPI-1 required by the National Spa And Pool Institute. Slides shall be installed per manufacturer's listing. (Ord. 696, 5-27-2008; amd. Ord. 721, 2-8-2011)