In addition to complying with the regulations in this chapter, public swimming pools shall comply with the following regulations:
A. Design Standards and Specifications.
1. Public pools shall be constructed of concrete, or other material impervious to water which is equivalent in strength and durability, with a smooth surface and designed and built to withstand anticipated stresses. A white or light-colored waterproof interior finish, which will withstand repeated brushing, scrubbing and cleaning, shall be used. Pool linings not totally bonded to the pool sides and bottom, such as plastic films and similar linings and finishes, are prohibited.
2. No projections from the pool wall and floor surfaces shall be allowed except for ladders, seats and steps. Seats and steps maybe constructed only in the shallow end of the pool. The seat, bench and step edges shall be outlined with a sharply contrasting colored tile or other suitable material which is clearly visible from the edge of the pool adjacent to the steps.
3. Water depth shall be conspicuously and permanently marked at or above the water surface on the vertical swimming pool wall, and on the top of coping or edge of the deck or walk next to the swimming pool. Markings are required at one-foot depth intervals to a depth of five feet, and at the deepest point. Thereafter, markings shall be located in accordance with the design of the pool for maximum protection of bathers. Such markings shall be spaced at no more than twenty-five-foot intervals and shall be arranged to be uniformly located on both sides of the pool, as well as both ends. In the case of irregular shaped pools, such markings shall designate at all major deviations in shape as well as conforming to the foregoing where possible. Depth markers shall be in numerals of four-inch minimum height and of a uniform color on a background of contrasting uniform color. Markings on the deck shall be within eighteen inches of the water edge and positioned to be read while standing on the deck facing the water. Deck markings shall be slip-resistant. In pools utilized for competitive swimming and training, approach warning markings must be installed under the water level on opposite walls at the end of each swimming lane in the pool. Warning markings must be of uniform color and size on a background of contrasting uniform color. In addition, they must be clearly visible in or out of the water at all times from a distance of not less than ten feet.
4. Floor Slope. No change of slope shall occur in depths less than five feet, and the slope shall not exceed one foot in ten feet.
B. Overflow Collection System. An effective overflow collection system consisting of automatic surface skimmers or other satisfactory overflow gutters shall be installed in all public pools.
1. The overflow system shall be designed and constructed so that the level of the pool is maintained at the midpoint operating range of the skimmers.
2. Overflow gutters, where used, shall be installed continuously around pools with the lip of the gutter level throughout its perimeter. They shall be provided with sufficient opening at the top and width at the bottom to permit easy cleaning. The gutter bottom shall be pitched one-quarter-inch per foot to drainage outlets located not more than ten feet apart. The main drain shall be sized to circulate one hundred percent of the capacity of the circulating system and be properly covered by a drain gate. The surge tank-hall be equipped with float controls regulating the main drain, fill line and overflow.
3. Skimming devices, where used, shall be recessed into the pool wall and shall be installed to achieve effective skimming action throughout the pool. Skimmers shall be provided on a basis of at least one skimmer for each five hundred square feet of surface area. The overflow slot shall be set level and shall not be less than eight inches in width at the narrowest section. The rate of flow through the skimmer shall be a minimum of seventy-five percent of the recirculation system capacity. Skimmers shall be designed to carry at least thirty gallons per minute per lineal foot of weir throat. A minimum of two skimmers are required in swimming pools. They must be on a closed-loop piping system. Main drain piping shall be designed to carry a minimum of fifty percent of the design flow.
C. Ladders and Steps. At least one ladder shall be provided in the deep section of swimming pools. Where the deep section is greater than twenty feet in width, two ladders located on opposite sides of the deep section are required. There shall be at least one ladder or stair for each seventy-five feet of perimeter. Preformed step holes and suitable handrails may be substituted for ladders. At least one set of steps shall be provided in the shallow end of each swimming pool. Steps must be permanently marked so as to be clearly visible from above or below the pool surface and shall not project into the pool in a manner which will create a hazard. Handrails shall be provided at one side or in the center of all stairways.
D. Lighting. The pool and deck areas shall be well-lighted by natural or artificial means when in use. Electric wires shall not extend across a pool. Underwater pool lighting shall be designed, installed, grounded and maintained so as to not be dangerous to bathers and to provide adequate underwater Illumination. Lighting shall be designed and installed in accordance with the provisions of the edition of the National Electrical Code referred to in subsection D4 of Section 8.04.150.
E. Hose Bibbs. Hose bibbs shall be provided along the perimeter of the deck so that all parts of the deck may be reached. Hose bibbs shall be protected against back siphonage.
F. Diving Facilities. Diving facilities shall be rigidly constructed and properly anchored with sufficient bracing to insure stability. Handrails shall be provided at all steps and ladders leading to diving boards one meter or more above the water. Diving facilities shall be finished with a durable nonslip material maintained free of tears, splinters or cracks. Dimensions for diving facilities shall conform to those in Appendix A of the ordinance codified in this chapter, on file and available for public inspection with the county health department.
G. Lifeguards.
1. A minimum of two guards shall be required to open and operate a pool, an additional lifeguard is required for each additional, separate pool such as a diving or wading pool at each facility. In addition to said minimum number of lifeguards, there shall be one extra lifeguard for every twenty-five swimmers or portion thereof in excess of fifty swimmers at each facility.
Example: four lifeguards for ninety swimmers at a facility with one pool. There shall be staffing of lifeguards according to the distribution of swimmers in the pool so as to provide all areas of the pool with adequate lifeguard coverage.
2. Lifeguards shall be in constant attendance during swimming hours and no swimmers shall be permitted in a pool area unless lifeguards are present.
3. Lifeguards shall:
a. Be expert swimmers and be competent in current lifesaving techniques;
b. Be trained in administration of C.P.R., and other first aid measures;
c. Have satisfactorily completed a course in lifeguard training, as offered by the American Red Cross. The valid and current certificate of completion of the course of instruction shall be at the swimming pool when the swimming pool is open for use;
d. Be suitably dressed to enter the water and act in an emergency;
e. Not engage in activities which would distract his/her attention from proper supervision of persons using the swimming pool or prevent immediate attention to a person in distress in the water;
f. Have the authority and responsibility to enforce rules pertaining to safety and sanitation.
H. Lifeguard Chairs. Each public pool shall have at least one elevated lifeguard chair for each two thousand square feet of pool surface area or one hundred fifty bathers. The chair must be located close to the deeper portion of the pool and provide a clear, unobstructed view of the pool bottom.
I. Safety Equipment. Safety equipment, consisting of at least one ring buoy, with a length of one-quarter-inch rope attached to reach at least across the pool and one rescue tube for each lifeguard chair and one shepherd's crook mounted on a rigid sixteen-foot pole, shall be provided at each public pool. Safety equipment shall be located and maintained ready for immediate use at all times.
J. Drinking Water Supply. Drinking water from an approved source and dispensed through one or more approved sanitary drinking fountains shall be located on the deck of public pools.
K. Fencing.
1. All public pools and walkways adjacent to such pool shall be enclosed by a durable fence or wall at least six feet high.
2. The only access to the pool by bathers shall be through the bathhouse or dressing room facilities.
3. The mechanical filtering, disinfection and recirculating equipment must be protected from tampering by a suitable enclosure or fence at least six feet high.
L. Lifeline. A lifeline shall be installed across each public swimming pool at the point where the floor slope begins to exceed one foot in ten feet whenever the pool is open for use by the general public. The lifeline shall be three-fourths-inch minimum diameter and supported by floats.
M. Wastewater Disposal. All sewage from plumbing fixtures, including urinals, toilets, lavatories, showers, drinking fountains, floor drains, and other sanitary facilities shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner. The backwash from filters and wasted pool water must be disposed of in a manner consistent with all codes but in no event shall it cause a nuisance. There shall be no direct physical connections between the sewer system and any drain from the pool or recirculation system.
N. Miscellaneous. Walkways shall be provided adjacent to the pool and shall:
1. Be at least ten feet wide, except that where diving boards and platforms are installed, the walkway shall extend at least five feet to each side and behind the board or platform but not less than fifteen feet from the pool wall;
2. Slope away from the pool with a pitch of at least one-quarter-inch per foot to properly located deck drains or other approved points of disposal;
3. Be constructed of concrete or other material, as approved by the department, with a nonslip finish, free of sharp or jagged edges or surfaces;
4. Be designed to conform to the dimensions shown in Appendix A of the ordinance codified in this chapter, on file and available for public inspection with the county health department.
O. Freeboard may not exceed eight inches.
P. Concessions. No drinks, candy, tobacco, popcorn, gum, or food of any kind shall be permitted adjacent to the pool or within the pool enclosure.
(Ord. 1990-81 § 10, 1990: Ord. 1984-42 (part), 1984: prior code § 23.60.020)