A. Building Codes Applicable: Appendix G of the international one- and two-family dwelling code, 2003, is hereby adopted as part of this chapter in the following amended and restated form and shall read as follows (to the extent that said amended appendix G is inconsistent with the other provisions of this chapter, the more restrictive provisions shall govern and prevail):
APPENDIX G.
SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS AND HOT TUBS
Section AG103 - Swimming Pools:
AG103.1 In-Ground Pools. In-ground pools shall be designed and constructed in conformance with ANSI-NSPI-5 as listed in section AG108.
Section AG104 - Spas And Hot Tubs:
AG104.1 Permanently Installed Spas And Hot Tubs. Permanently installed spas and hot tubs shall be designed and constructed in conformance with ANSI-NSPI-3 as listed in section AG108.
AG104.2 Portable Spas And Hot Tubs. Portable spas and hot tubs shall be designed and constructed in conformance with ANSI/NSPI-6 as listed in section AG108.
Section AG105 - Barrier Requirements:
AG105.1 Application. The provision of this chapter shall control the design of barriers for residential swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. These design controls are intended to provide protection against potential drownings and near-drownings by restricting access to swimming pools, spas and hot tubs.
AG105.2 Outdoor Swimming Pool. An outdoor swimming pool, including an in-ground pool, hot tub or spa shall be provided with a barrier which shall comply with the following:
1. The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches (51 mm) measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as a hot tub or spa, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the hot tub or spa, or mounted on top of the hot tub or spa. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the hot tub or spa, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the hot tub or spa and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches (102 mm).
2. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.
3. Solid barriers which do not have openings, such as a masonry or stone wall, shall not contain indentations or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.
4. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches (1,143 mm), the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the barrier. Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width.
5. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45 inches (1,143 mm) or more, spacing between vertical member shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm). Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width.
6. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 2.25-inch (57 mm) square unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings to not more than 1.75 inches (44 mm).
7. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall not be more than 1.75 inches (44 mm).
8. Access gates shall comply with the requirements of section AG105.2, items 1 through 7, and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates shall have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism and openings shall comply with the following:
8.1 The release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and
8.2 The gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.
9. Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier, one of the following conditions shall be met:
9.1 The pool shall be equipped with a powered safety cover in compliance with ASTM F1346-91, as listed in section AG108; or
9.2 All doors with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm which produces an audible warning when the door and its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds immediately after the door is opened and be capable of being heard throughout the house during normal household activities. The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions. The alarm system shall be equipped with a manual means, such as touchpad or switch, to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening. Such deactivation shall last for not more than 15 seconds. The deactivation switch(es) shall be located at least 54 inches (1,372 mm) above the threshold of the door; or
9.3 Other means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, which are approved by the governing body, shall be acceptable so long as the degree of protection afforded is not less than the protection afforded by item 9.1 or 9.2 described above.
AG105.3 Indoor Swimming Pool. All walls surrounding an indoor swimming pool shall comply with section AG105.2, item 9.
AG105.4 Prohibited Locations. Barriers shall be located so as to prohibit permanent structures, equipment or similar objects from being used to climb the barriers.
AG105.5 Barrier Exceptions. Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover which complies with ASTM F1346-91, as listed in section AG108, shall be exempt from the provision of this appendix.
Section AG106 - Entrapment Protection For Swimming Pool And Spa Suction Outlets:
AG106.1 General. Suction outlets shall be designed to produce circulation throughout the pool or spa. Single outlet systems, such as automatic vacuum cleaner systems, or other such multiple suction outlets whether isolated by valves or otherwise shall be protected against user entrapment.
AG106.2 Suction Fittings. All pool and spa suction outlets shall be provided with a cover that conforms with ANSI/ASME A112.19.8M, as listed in section AG108, or a 12" x 12" drain grate or larger, or an approved channel drain system.
Exception: Surface skimmers.
AG106.3 Atmospheric Vacuum Relief System Required. All pool and spa single or multiple outlet circulation systems shall be equipped with atmospheric vacuum relief should grate covers located therein become missing or broken. Such vacuum relief systems shall include at least one approved or engineered method of the type specified herein, as follows:
1. Safety vacuum release system conforming to ASME A112.19.17, as listed in section AG108, or
2. An approved gravity drainage system.
AG106.4 Dual Drain Separation. Single or multiple pump circulation systems shall be provided with a minimum of two (2) suction outlets of the approved type. A minimum horizontal or vertical distance of three (3) feet shall separate such outlets. These suction outlets shall be piped so that water is drawn through them simultaneously through a vacuum relief-protected line to the pump or pumps.
AG106.5 Pool Cleaner Fittings. Where provided, vacuum or pressure cleaner fitting(s) shall be located in an accessible position(s) at least six inches (6") and not greater than twelve inches (12") below the minimum operational water level or as an attachment to the skimmer(s).
Section AG107 - Abbreviations:
AG107.1 General.
ANSI - American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
ASTM - ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428
NSPI - National Spa and Pool Institute, 2111 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314
Section AG108 - Standards:
AG108.1 General.
ANSI/NSPI
ANSI/NSPI-3-99 standard for permanently installed residential spas AG104.1
ANSI/NSPI-5-2003 standard for residential in-ground swimming pools AG103.1
ANSI/NSPI-6-99 standard for residential portable spas AG104.2
ANSI/ASME A112.19.8M-1987 suction fittings for use in swimming pools, wading pools, spas, hot tubs and whirlpool bathing appliances AG106.2
ASTM
ASTM F 1346-91 (1996) performance specification for safety covers and labeling requirements for all covers for swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs AG105.2, AG105.5
ASME
ASME A112.19.17 manufacturers safety vacuum release systems (SVRS) for residential and commercial swimming pool, spa, hot tub and wading pool AG106.3
B. Materials: Swimming pool walls and floors shall be constructed of any impervious material which will provide a tight tank with white or light colored finish and easily cleaned surfaces. The floor or bottom surface of the pool shall have a nonslip finish as smooth as possible.
C. Structural Design: Swimming pools shall be designed to withstand the water pressure from within and to resist the pressure of the earth when the pool is empty and a certificate of an architect licensed by the state or of a structural engineer licensed by the state, shall be required as evidence of such design characteristics.
D. Walk Areas: Unobstructed walk areas not less than thirty six inches (36") wide shall be provided immediately adjacent to and extending entirely around the pool. The walk area shall be constructed of impervious material, and the surfaces shall be of such as to be smooth and easily cleaned and of nonslip construction. The slope of the walks shall have a pitch of at least one-fourth inch to one foot (1/4":1'), designed so as to prevent back drainage from entering the pool.
E. Steps Or Ladders: No less than two (2) or more means of egress in the form of steps or ladders shall be provided for all swimming pools, one of which shall be located at the deep end of the pool and one of which shall be located at the shallow end of the pool. Treads of steps and ladders shall be constructed of nonslip material and at least three inches (3") wide for their full length. Steps and ladders shall have a handrail on both sides.
F. Inlets:
1. Swimming pool water recirculation system inlet shall be located so as to produce, so far as possible, uniform circulation of water throughout the pool without the existence of dead spots and to carry pool bottom deposits to the outlets, and shall discharge at a minimum depth of ten inches (10") below the pool overflow level. A minimum of one recirculation system inlet shall be provided for every six hundred fifteen (615) square feet of surface area of the pool.
2. Pools shall be equipped with suitable facilities for adding makeup water as needed. There shall be no physical connection between the water supply line and the pool system. If the makeup water is added directly to the pool, the outlet shall be at least six inches (6") above the upper rim of the pool. If the makeup water supply line discharges to a surge or balancing tank, the point of discharge shall be at least six inches (6") above the rim of the tank. If a hose connection from a sill cock or other plumbing fixture is to be used for supplying makeup water, then an approved vacuum breaker shall be installed between the sill cock or control valve at the fixture and the hose connection. Maximum size of the fill pipe shall be two inches (2").
3. The system's supply of recirculated water and makeup water to the pool shall be constructed in conformance with all the applicable provisions of this code.
G. Outlets:
1. In swimming pools thirty feet (30') in width or less, water circulation system outlets shall be located so as to provide at least one outlet at the deepest point in the pool. If the pool width is more than thirty feet (30') apart, multiple outlets shall be provided and spaced not more than thirty feet (30') apart, nor closer than four feet (4') to any wall. All pool drain outlets shall be equipped with gratings having an area of openings not less than four (4) times the cross sectional area of the outlet pipe. The gratings shall be of such design so they cannot be readily removable by bathers and will not injure bathers' fingers. One outlet shall be provided for each eight hundred (800) square feet of surface area.
2. Pools shall be equipped with facilities for completely emptying the pool and the discharge of the pool water shall be at a rate not exceeding two hundred (200) gallons per minute.
3. Water drained from the pool shall not be discharged during periods of rain or storms.
4. No pool shall be drained into any septic system or septic field or be drained in such manner as to cause such septic system or septic field to malfunction or to contribute to the malfunction of any such septic system or septic field.
5. The swimming pool and equipment shall be equipped to be emptied completely of water and the discharged water shall be disposed of in an approved manner that will not create a nuisance. All discharged water shall be drained entirely upon the property on which the swimming pool is located and shall not flow on any adjoining property. (Ord. 06-830, 7-11-2006)