This regulation adopts the definitions contained in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.17.01 (2013), Public Swimming Pools and Spas, unless superseded or amended by the following definitions:
1. A.N.S.I. means the American National Standard Institute for Public Swimming Pools.
2. Approving Authority means the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Director’s designee.
3. Decks means those areas surrounding a pool which are specifically constructed or installed for use by patrons.
4. Deep Area means swimming pool water depth that exceeds five feet.
5. Diving Pool means a swimming pool intended for use exclusively by divers.
6. Dry Deck means all pedestrian surface areas within the pool enclosure not subject to frequent splashing or constant wet foot traffic. Landscape areas are not included in this definition.
7. Egress means the manner of exiting the pool.
8. Floor means the interior bottom pool surface which consists of that surface from a horizontal plane up to a maximum of a 1:3 slope.
9. Handrail means a corrosion resistant tube or bar extending above and returning to the horizontal surface of the pool deck, curb or coping and located at each side of each ladder and in the center or on one side of each stairway.
10. Hazard means a condition or situation that could cause injury or illness to a patron or pool personnel.
11. Hydrostatic Relief means a method of reducing the water pressure around an empty or partially filled pool.
12. Immediate Premises means the area within the enclosed boundaries of the pool site.
13. Non-Swimming Area means any portion of a pool where water depth, offset ledges or similar irregularities would prevent safe swimming activities.
14. N.S.P.I. means the National Spa and Pool Institute.
15. Overflow System means perimeter type overflows, surface skimmers and surface water collection systems of various design and manufacture.
16. Patron means any person using a Public Swimming Pool, the adjoining deck area, or the immediate premises for the purposes of water sports, recreation, therapy, or related activities.
17. Private Spa means any outdoor bathing structure that is:
a. a self-contained unit in which all control, water heating, and water circulating equipment is an integral part of the unit;
b. built on the grounds of a single-family private residence;
c. used solely by the owner, immediate family, tenants, or guests; and
d. not used for swimming, diving, or wading.
18. Private Swimming Pool means any swimming pool that is:
a. built on the grounds of a single family residence; and
b. used solely by the owner, immediate family, tenants, and guests.
19. Public Swimming Pool means any swimming pool, except a private swimming pool or private spa, which is intended to be used collectively, by a number of persons for swimming, diving, wading or recreational bathing. Public Swimming Pools include:
1. A Public Pool that is:
a. not a Public Spa; and
b. is intended for public recreational use such as swimming, diving, wading, therapy, competition or associated activity.
2. A Public Spa that is:
a. intended for public recreational and therapeutic uses other than swimming, diving, or wading; and
b. is not drained, cleaned, or refilled for each user.
20. Shallow Area means an area where the water depth is five feet or less.
21. Stairs, Recessed Stairs, Ladders and Recessed Treads means those means of entry and exit to and from the pool.
a. Stairs means a riser and tread or series of risers and treads extending down from the deck into the pool.
b. Recessed Stairs means a riser and tread or series of risers and treads extending down from the deck to the pool floor with the bottom riser or tread termination at the pool wall (thus creating a “stair well”).
c. Ladders means a series of vertically separated treads or rungs either connected by vertical rail members or independently fastened to an adjacent vertical pool wall.
d. Recessed Treads means a series of vertically spaced cavities in the pool walls creating tread areas for stepholes.
22. Swimming Pool, whether public or private, means any artificial structure, basin, chamber or tank, except a private spa, either above or below ground, which is used or intended to be used for the primary purpose of swimming, diving, wading or recreational bathing. A swimming pool includes all associated equipment, structures and facilities located within a common enclosure. A unit used in conjunction with the private practice of a physician or physical therapist is not a swimming pool.
23. Toxic means an adverse physiological effect on man or the environment.
24. Training Pool means a pool not normally in excess of 3.5' deep at its points of maximum depth and usually reserved for use by persons learning to swim.
25. Transition Point means the place in the floor of the pool between water depths of 4'6" and 5'6" where an abrupt change in slope occurs. The transition point must be at the 5' depth in pools having a constant slope.
26. Turnover means the time required to circulate the entire pool volume of water through the filtration system and back to the pool.
27. Vertical means a line or surface running perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; a truly plumb line.
28. Wading Pool means a Public Pool that is a maximum of 24" deep and primarily intended for use by children.
29. Water Line:
a. Skimmer system - the water line is the midpoint of the operating range of the skimmers.
b. Overflow Systems - the water line is the height of the overflow rim.
30. W.S.S.C. means the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
The sections of the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.17.01 (2013), Public Swimming Pools and Spas, governing public pool and spa safety and pool and spa operator certification are incorporated for the operating standards of this regulation unless superseded or amended by the following specific standards.
A. Plans and specifications requirements .
1. One copy of the plans and specifications must be submitted to the Approving Authority.
2. Plans and specifications must include sufficient information to permit detailed review for compliance with the Ordinance and this Manual.
3. Plans and specifications must be drawn to scale and contain these elements:
a. Type of pool as defined in 51.00.01.01.
b. Location diagram.
c. Site plan, including location of roads, utilities and drainage.
d. Swimming Pool layout, including appurtenances.
e. Piping layout, including summary table of pool fittings and complete hydraulic calculations for determining dynamic head.
f. Filter room layout.
g. Bathhouse plan, unless no bathhouse required.
h. Equipment specifications, including performance curves for circulating pumps to be used, as prepared and certified by the manufacturer. Make and model number must be submitted for all NSF equipment. Specifications sheets must be submitted for all non-NSF equipment.
i. Structural sections.
j. Finish schedule of all surfaces.
k. Copy of the Opinion of the Board of Appeals, when applicable.
NOTE: Review by the Approving Authority does not include review for compliance with the Building Code, the Plumbing Code or the Electrical Code. Separate plans must be submitted to the Department of Permitting Services for building and electrical approval, to WSSC for plumbing approval, or the City of Rockville or the City of Gaithersburg as applicable.
B. Inspection requirements
1. An inspection and pressure test must be performed by the Approving Authority of the circulation piping before the pool bottom is installed.
2. Prior to licensure, the Swimming Pool must be inspected for compliance with the plans, especially the circulation piping and the installed equipment.
3. Prior to licensure, an operating test checking flow distribution in the Swimming Pool and performance of equipment must be completed satisfactorily.
4. The owner must provide for inspection of manufacturers’ manuals for the installed equipment and written instructions for the operation of the particular pool.
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