(a) All private swimming pools shall be of the recirculation type in which circulation of the water is maintained through the pool by pumps, the water drawn from the pool being clarified and disinfected before being returned to the pool.
(b) Private swimming pool walls and floors shall be constructed of any impervious material which will provide a tight tank with a light colored finish and easily cleaned surfaces. The side and end walls of the pool shall present a smooth finish.
(c) Private 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.
(d) If a pool deck is provided it shall be not less than thirty-six inches wide and shall extend entirely around the pool. The walk area shall be constructed of impervious material, and the surface shall be smooth and easily cleaned and of nonslip construction. The slope of the walk shall have a pitch of at least one-fourth inch to the foot, designed so as to prevent back drainage from entering the pool.
(e) One or more means of ingress and egress in the form of steps or ladders shall be provided for all private swimming pools. At least one such means of egress shall be located on a side of the pool at the shallow end. The tread of steps and ladders shall be constructed of nonslip material and at least three inches wide. Steps and ladders shall have a handrail on both sides.
(f) In every private swimming pool at least one skimming device shall be provided for each 800 square feet of surface area or fraction thereof. Skimmers shall be located at least thirty feet apart. Skimming devices shall be built into the pool wall, shall adequately remove floating oils and waste and shall meet the following specifications:
(1) Each skimmer shall be designed for a maximum flow-through rate of at least thirty gallons per minute, and a total capacity of all skimmers on any pool shall be at least fifty percent of the required filter flow of the recirculation system.
(2) Skimmers shall be automatically adjustable to variations in water level over a range of at least eight inches.
(3) An easily removable and cleanable basket or screen through which all overflow water must pass shall be provided to trap large solids.
(4) The skimmer shall be provided with a device to prevent airlock in the suction line in the event that the water level in the pool drops below the operating level of the skimmer. If an equalizer pipe is used, it shall provide an adequate amount of makeup water for pump suction should the water of the pool drop below the weir level. This pipe shall be at least one and one-half inches in diameter and shall be located at least three feet below the lowest level of the skimmer.
(5) The overflow weir shall be of sufficient length to maintain a maximum rate of flow of twenty gallons per minute per linear foot of weir level lip.
(g) The private swimming pool water recirculation system inlet shall be located as to produce, so far as possible, uniform circulation of water throughout the pool without the existence of dead spots, and shall discharge at a minimum depth of ten inches below the pool overflow level. A minimum of one inlet shall be provided for each 650 square feet of surface area of the pool.
(h) 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 above the upper rim of the pool. No over-the-rim spout will be accepted unless it is located under a diving board or is properly guarded, or is of such design as to eliminate hazard or damage. If the makeup waterline discharges to a surge of balancing tank, the point of discharge shall be at least six inches 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.
(i) In private swimming pools that are thirty feet 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, multiple outlets shall be provided and spaced not more than thirty feet apart, nor closer than four feet to any wall. All pool drain outlets shall be equipped with gratings having an area of openings not less than four times the cross sectional area of the outlet pipe. The gratings shall be of such design so as not to be readily removable by bathers and so as to not injure bathers’ fingers. One outlet shall be provided for each 800 square feet, or fraction thereof, of surface area.
(j) No direct connection shall be made between any storm drain, sewer, drainage system, seepage pit, underground leaching pit or subsoil drainage line, and any line connected to a swimming pool. Waste water may be discharged into a public sewer or storm drain only when a permit has been obtained in writing from the proper authority. Water drained from the pool shall not be discharged to the sewer system during periods of rain or storms. At no time shall the rate of drain water discharged exceed a flow of 250 gallons per minute.
(k) A private swimming pool recirculation system shall consist of pumping equipment, a hair and lint strainer and filters, together with the necessary pipe connections to the pool inlets and outlets.
(l) The recirculation system pump shall have sufficient capacity to discharge the volume of water required for an eight-hour turnover of the pool against the maximum head and the recirculating system.
(m) A hair and lint catcher or strainer shall be installed on the suction side of the circulation pump to prevent hair, lint and other extraneous matter from reaching the pump and filters. Hair and lint catchers shall be so designed that they can be easily dismantled for cleaning and inspection, and shall be so located for cleaning and inspection for easy accessibility. The design features shall be as follows: water passes through the strainer from the outside; the system strainer is made of noncorrosive material; the width or diameter of strainer openings is not more than one-eighth inch; the area of the strainer openings shall be at least five times the cross sectional area of the inlet pipe to the strainer.
(n) Recirculation systems shall contain pre-coat type diatomite filters or rapid pressure sand filters. Sufficient filter area shall be provided in either case to filter the entire contents of the pool in not more than eight hours at a rate of not more than three gallons per square foot of filter area per minute. Sand filter back washing facilities shall be sufficient to backwash at a rate of twelve gallons per minute per square foot of filter area. Pre-coat type diatomite filters shall be of such design as to easily permit inspection and cleaning of elements. All effluents from backwash or cleaning of either type filter shall be discharged to a waste line which disposes of such effluent to a storm drain, public sewer or dry well in order to prevent any waste contaminating the pool or surrounding areas. Pressure filters shall be equipped with a readily accessible air relief valve and pressure gauge on the inlet or filter tank, and an access head or hole large enough to permit inspection, maintenance and repair work.
(Ord. 42-1981. Passed 2-23-81.)