(a) Waterpark facilities shall meet or exceed the following design and construction standards in effect at the time of construction, including but not limited to:
(1) Specifications contained in this chapter.
(2) ASTM F-24 “Standards on Amusement Rides and Devices.”
(3) “Virginia Amusement Device Regulations.”
(4) Industry standards and manufacturer's specifications and recommendations.
(b) The proposed design shall be reviewed and approved by a licensed engineer.
(c) Waterpark facilities shall be designed to provide for the safety of the patron and proper recirculation of the pool water. The design shall include, but not be limited to the following:
(1) Absence of protrusions, pinch hazards, extensions, means of entanglement, or other obstructions which can cause entrapment or injury.
(2) Construction tolerances conforming to ANSI public pool standards.
(d) A report, prepared by a licensed engineer, that certifies the design of the waterpark facility is consistent with accepted safety engineering practices, industry standards, manufacturer's specifications and recommendations, and this chapter, shall be included with the original plans and specifications submitted to the Director for review.
(1) The report shall address issues related to safety design, including the ergonomic aspects of biomechanics for waterpark facilities.
(2) The report shall substantiate that a comprehensive risk analysis was made of the waterpark, including a risk analysis of each separate component and of the components' interaction with other elements of the waterpark.
(3) The report shall demonstrate that the waterpark design protects the patron, under foreseeable conditions and normal usage and behavior, from exposure to injury. Elements to be considered include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. The activity shall contain the patron.
B. The activity shall provide clear and smooth passage of the patron.
C. The activity shall maintain designed patron speeds.
D. The activity shall provide smooth transitions in speed and direction.
E. The activity shall provide for safe landing and/or disembarkation of the patron.
F. The activity shall accommodate continuous patron surveillance by lifeguards and attendants, except for an enclosed, tubular chute or flume where the patron shall be monitored at the points of entry and exit by qualified operation personnel.
(4) The report shall specify the maximum pool loads and the maximum facility load.
(5) The report shall be accompanied by a facility operation and maintenance manual which includes manufacturer's specifications and recommendations for each attraction regarding operation and maintenance of the attraction to include but not be limited to the following:
A. Appropriate construction drawings.
B. Maintenance instructions.
C. Operation instructions.
D. Staffing requirements and procedures.
E. Instructional and warning signage.
(6) Upon completion of the waterpark facility and prior to issuance of the owner's seasonal or annual permit, an addendum to the report, prepared by a licensed engineer, shall be submitted to the Director. The report addendum shall certify that each attraction has been tested under normal operating conditions and found to perform satisfactorily. The Director may require that the testing procedure be witnessed by one or more designees of the Director. The addendum shall also certify that the waterpark facility was constructed as detailed in the plans and specifications approved by the Director and consistent with accepted safety engineering practices, industry standards, manufacturer's specifications and recommendations, the report described in Section 838.101(d) and this chapter.
(e) The following specific types of waterpark facility attractions shall comply with the requirements indicated:
(1) Water chutes or flumes and inner-tube rides shall be provided with:
A. Control of unauthorized patron access at entry and exit areas, and points along the attraction not designed for entry or exit.
B. Handrails and non-slip walking surfaces at attraction entry and exit areas.
C. Attendant stations for patron control that have direct line of sight between the entry and exit area of each attraction except as provided in Section 838.101(d)(3)F. Additional attendant stations may be required by the Director to provide complete visual coverage of the attraction.
D. An effective internal communication system that allows direct communication between the attendants stationed at the entry areas, exit areas, and/or additional locations along the attraction as necessary.
E. All structure supported attractions shall be designed to prevent water leaks, discharge, and splashout to minimize or eliminate structural deterioration, under structure erosion, loss of structural support or other safety hazards.
F. Instruments shall be provided to measure the flow of water through each attraction.
G. Any tethered attractions shall not pose a pinch, puncture, or any other safety hazard.
(2) Receiving pools shall have the minimum clearances detailed in Figure II for flume or chute entrances into pools. Sufficient distance shall be provided between the flumes or chutes to prevent collision. Receiving pools shall also meet the following requirements:
A. The flume or chute sliding surface of waterslides shall end at or below the pool operating water level.
B. The flume or chute shall be perpendicular to the wall of entry for a minimum of ten feet.
C. Receiving pools for drop slides shall comply with the manufacturer's specifications and recommendations.
Figure II: Minimum Clearances for Flume or Chute Entry to Receiving Pools.
Value | Minimum Distance | Description |
A | 5 Feet | Minimum distance from edge of flume to side of pool |
B | 6 Feet | Minimum distance between edges of parallel flumes |
C | 20 Feet | Minimum distance from where flume terminates to opposite side of pool |
(3) Children's activity pools shall comply with the specifications listed in Section 838.49 except as specified in this Article, including compliance with the following specifications:
A. A maximum depth of twenty-four inches.
B. Children's activity pools which are part of a larger pool shall be protected from areas with water depths greater than twenty-four inches by providing:
1. A dark, nonslip tile transition line on the bottom of the pool along the entire two foot water depth contour. The transition line shall be a minimum of two inches wide. The transition line shall be of high contrasting color.
2. A transition zone with a maximum floor slope not exceeding one to twelve.
C. Where “climb-on” toys and attractions are provided, impact absorption materials shall be provided in areas where ejection or falls can reasonably be expected to occur.
(4) Wave pools shall comply with the following specifications:
A. Walls of wave pools shall be vertical with a minimum six inch radius of curvature between the wall and pool bottom.
B. Decks shall have a minimum width of ten feet along the shallow end.
C. A chain link fence, or similar restrictive barrier acceptable to the Director, shall be installed to direct patrons to access the wave pool from the shallow area. The fence shall be a minimum of thirty-six inches in height and at least four feet out from the edge of the coping or pool/deck juncture, and shall be provided adjacent to water depths twenty-four inches or greater. The fence shall be exclusive of the perimeter fence or barrier. Emergency exit openings in the fence or barrier shall be provided at a minimum of one per fifty feet of pool sidewall and shall be a minimum of four feet in width.
D. Prominently identified and conspicuously located wave pool emergency cut-off switch(es) that terminate wave action shall be provided at each wave pool. One emergency cut-off switch shall be provided for every one hundred feet of pool perimeter or fraction thereof. Cut-off switches shall be immediately accessible to each lifeguard. Cut-off switches are to be used strictly in the event of an emergency. An “EMERGENCY WAVE CUT-OFF SWITCH” sign shall be posted at the switch, and shall have letters at least four inches in height which are color contrasted with the background color of the sign. The emergency cut- off switch shall not be capable of activating the wave action.
E. A public address system shall be provided for use by authorized personnel, which is clearly audible to all portions of the wave pool.
F. Pool depths shall be measured without wave action.
G. A warning horn and flashing light shall be provided that automatically signals prior to the initiation of wave action. Sufficient time shall be allowed between the warning horn/flashing light and the initiation of wave action to allow patrons the option of leaving the wave pool.
(5) Slow river attractions shall have a maximum current speed of three miles per hour.
(6) For activity pools in which climb-on toys and attractions are provided in water depths less than thirty-six inches, impact absorption materials shall be provided in areas where ejection or falls can reasonably be expected to occur. Impact absorption materials may also be required in other areas of the facility as determined by the Director.
(Ord. 07-14. Passed 12-18-07.)