Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 511 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Chapter 511-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS
Subject 511-3-5 - PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, AND RECREATIONAL WATER PARKS
Rule 511-3-5-.06 - Decks and Deck Equipment

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 511-3-5-.06

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) Decks. These requirements shall apply to all decks and deck equipment at the time of construction.

(a) Decks shall be designed and installed in accordance with the engineering practices required in the area of installation. Decks shall be constructed with a uniform and easily cleaned surface such as concrete, tile, manufactured or acrylic surfaces. This includes the design of sub base when required, concrete mix design, reinforcing, and joints, if a concrete deck is selected. In the absence of specific local engineering practices, the work shall be performed in accordance with the recommended practices of the latest edition of American Concrete Institute (ACI) Standard 302.1R-80,"Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction or successor standard."

(b) Decking shall be flush with the lip of the pool, spa walls, and copings. Decks, ramps, coping and similar step surfaces shall be slip-resistant and easily cleanable.

(c) Special features in or on decks, such as markers or brand insignias, shall conform to this Chapter.

(d) Risers for steps for the deck shall be uniform and have a minimum height of three and three-fourths inches and a maximum height of seven and one-half inches. The minimum tread depth shall be twelve inches.

(e) Backfilled areas that support a deck shall be adequately compacted.

(f) The deck, including coping, shall have a minimum four feet width of continuous, unobstructed walking area maintained at all times unless otherwise allowed in the chapter.

(g) A minimum four foot deck width shall be provided on the sides and rear of any diving equipment or waterslide stairs. A deck clearance of forty-eight inches shall be provided around all deck equipment.

(h) The approved decking shall connect all site amenities, entrances, and exits.

(i) A four foot minimum continuous unobstructed deck, which may include the coping, shall be provided around at least 50 percent or more of a spa.

(j) The minimum slope of the decks shall be one-eighth inch per one foot vertical to horizontal.

(k) The maximum voids between adjoining concrete slabs, or between concrete slabs and expansion joint material, shall be three-sixteenths inch of horizontal clearance with a maximum difference in vertical elevation of one-fourth inch.

(l) Open joints or gaps larger than three-sixteenths inch wide or with vertical elevations exceeding 1/4 inches shall be rectified using appropriate fillers. Construction joints where pool coping meets the decks shall be watertight and shall not allow water to pass to the ground beneath.

(m) The areas where the decks join the pool and spa coping shall be designed and installed so as to protect the coping and its mortar bed from damage as a result of anticipated movement of adjoining decks.

(n) Joints in decks shall be provided to minimize the potential for cracks due to a change in elevations, separation of surfaces or movement of the slab.

(o) The areas where the decks join concrete work shall be protected by expansion joints to protect the pool adequately from the pressures of relative movements.

(p) Decks shall be edged, have a radius, or be otherwise relieved to eliminate sharp corners.

(q) Decks shall be sloped to effectively drain either to perimeter areas or to deck drains. Drainage shall remove pool and spa splash water, deck cleaning water, and rain water without leaving standing water of more than one-eighth inch depth twenty minutes after the cessation of the addition of water to the deck.

(r) Site drainage shall be provided to direct all perimeter deck drainage as well as general site and roof drainage away from the pool. When required, yard drains shall be installed to prevent the accumulation or puddling of site water in the general area of the decks and related improvements.

(s) There shall be no direct connection between the deck drains and the sanitary or storm sewer system, or the gutter or skimmer recirculation system.

(t) Wing walls or peninsulas less than eighteen inches in width shall not be considered a part of the deck.

(u) If a backwash sump is used, then an open pit or leaching design for backwash sump purposes shall be located so that it falls completely below adjacent decks and fully between a line projected 45° downward and away from such decks, or shall be designed to accommodate local soil conditions and the volume of backwash.

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(v) Circulation system piping, other than that integrally included in the manufacture of the pool or spa, shall be subject to an induced static hydraulic pressure test (sealed system) at twenty-five pounds per square inch (psi) for at least fifteen minutes or longer if required by the local code official or health authority. This test shall be performed before the deck is poured and the pressure shall be maintained through the deck pour.

(w) Valves installed in or under any deck shall provide a minimum ten inch diameter access cover and valve pit to facilitate servicing.

(x) A hose bib and a vacuum breaker shall be provided for washing down the entire deck area and shall be located not more than one hundred-fifty feet apart. Water-powered lifts shall have a dedicated hose bib water source.

(y) The deck area will be kept clean of all trash and debris.

(z) Carpet, wood and artificial turf may not be used on the deck adjoining the pool. Additionally, loose plant material or bedding shall not be permitted on the deck area within four feet of the water surface area.

(2) Entry/Exit. All pools, except spas, shall have at least two means of entry/exit located so as to serve both ends of the pool and the deepest portion. These shall consist of ladders, stairs or recessed treads, or a walking entry, and may be used in combination. All treads shall have slip-resistant surfaces. Handicapped accessible entry/exit into the pool shall be designed and provided in accordance with federal, state or local requirements.

(a) Where water depths are twenty-four inches or less at the pool wall, such areas shall be considered as providing their own natural mode for entry/exit.

(b) For pools or water areas over thirty feet in width, each side of the deepest portions of the pool shall have its own entries/exits.

(c) For pools with water depths of more than five feet, a means of entry/exit for the shallow end shall be located between the shallow end wall and the cross section at Point C, while a means of entry/exit for the deep end shall be between the deep end wall and the cross section at Point B as shown in DPH Rule 511-3-5-.05(7).

(d) A means of entry/exit shall be provided at a minimum of every seventy-five linear feet of pool wall or fraction thereof.

(e) Stairs, ladders and recessed treads shall be located to not interfere with racing lanes if applicable.

(3) Pool Stairs. The design and construction of protruding and recessed pool stairs shall conform to the following:

(a) Step treads shall have a minimum unobstructed horizontal depth of ten inches and a minimum unobstructed surface area of two hundred forty square inches.

(b) Risers at the centerline of the treads shall have a maximum uniform height of twelve inches, with the bottom riser height allowed to vary from the floor to not more than twelve inches.

(c) The vertical distance from the pool coping, deck, or step surface to the uppermost tread shall not be greater than twelve inches.

(d) Where stairs are located in water depths of more than forty-eight inches, the lowest tread shall be not less than forty-eight inches below the deck and the stairs shall not protrude into the pool. The stairs shall be set back into the pool wall.

(e) The outer two inches of each step shall be marked with slip resistant tiles in a contrasting color.

(f) Each set of stairs shall be provided with at least one handrail to serve all treads and risers. Handrails shall conform to the following standards:
1. Handrails, if removable, shall be installed in such a way that they cannot be removed without the use of tools.

2. The leading edge of handrails facilitating stairs and pool entry/exit shall be no more than eighteen inches plus or minus three inches, horizontally from the vertical plane of the bottom riser (where applicable).

3. The outside diameter of handrails shall be between one and one quarter inch and two inches.

(g) Underwater seats, benches or swimouts may be provided as part of the stairs or recessed treads.

(h) Stairs wider than five feet shall have at least one additional handrail for every twelve feet of stair width or fraction.

(4) Pool Ladders. The design and construction of pool ladder(s) shall conform to the following standards:

(a) Pool ladders shall be made entirely of corrosion-resisting materials.

(b) Ladders shall provide two handholds or two handrails.

(c) Below the water level, there shall be a clearance of not less than three inches and not more than six inches between any ladders tread edge, measured from the pool wall side of the tread and the pool wall.

(d) The clear distance between ladder handrails shall be a minimum of seventeen inches and a maximum of twenty-four inches.

(e) There shall be a uniform height between ladder treads, with a seven inch minimum distance and a twelve inch maximum distance.

(f) Ladder treads shall have a minimum horizontal depth of two inches.

(5) Recessed Treads. The design and construction of recessed treads in the pool wall shall conform to the following standards:

(a) Recessed treads at the centerline shall have a uniform vertical spacing of twelve inches maximum and seven inches minimum.

(b) The vertical distance between the pool coping edge, deck or step surface and the uppermost recessed tread shall be a maximum of twelve inches.

(c) Recessed treads shall have a minimum depth of five inches and a minimum width of twelve inches.

(d) Recessed treads shall drain into the pool to prevent the accumulation of dirt.

(e) Each set of recessed treads shall be provided with a set of handrails, grabrails, or handholds to serve all treads and risers.

(f) The clear distance between handrails and grab rails shall be between seventeen and twenty-four inches.

(6) Spa Entry/Exit. Spas shall have a means of entry/exit at a minimum of every fifty feet or portion thereof, where water depths are more than twenty-four inches.

(a) DPH Rule 511-3-5-.06(4) and (5) shall apply to ladders and recessed treads in spas.

(b) Spas shall be equipped with at least one handrail (or ladder equivalent) for each fifty feet of perimeter or portion thereof, to designate the point of entry and exit.
1. Handrails shall be installed in such a way that they cannot be removed without the use of tools.

2. The leading edge of a handrail in the spa shall be no more than eighteen inches plus or minus three inches horizontally from the vertical plane of the bottom riser (where applicable).

3. The outside diameter of handrails shall be between one and one-quarter inch and two inches.

(c) The design and construction of spa steps and seat benches, where used, shall conform to the following standards:
1. Step treads shall have a minimum unobstructed horizontal depth of ten inches for a minimum continuous width of twelve inches. Step treads shall have slip-resistant surfaces.

2. Riser heights shall not be more than twelve inches. Where the bottom tread serves as a bench or seat, the bottom riser may be a maximum of fourteen inches above the spa floor.

3. The first and last risers need not be uniform but shall comply with riser height requirements as noted above. The (top riser is measured from the finished deck.

4. Intermediate risers, those between the first and last risers, shall be uniform in height.

5. Each set of steps shall be provided with at least one handrail to serve all treads and risers.

6. The outer two inch edge of each step shall be marked with slip resistant tiles in a contrasting color.

(7) Supports for Diving Equipment. Supports, platforms, stairs and ladders for diving equipment shall be designed to carry the anticipated loads. Stairs and ladders shall be of corrosion-resisting material, easily cleanable and with slip-resistant tread.

(a) All diving stands higher than twenty-one inches as measured from the deck to the top butt end of the board shall be provided with stairs or a ladder. Step treads shall be self-draining.

(b) Platforms and diving equipment of one meter or higher shall be protected with guard rails which shall be at least thirty inches above the diving board and extend to the edge of the pool wall. All platforms or diving equipment higher than one meter shall have guard rails which are at least thirty-six inches above the diving board and extend to the edge of the pool wall.

(8) Diving Equipment. Diving equipment shall be designed for swimming pool use and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Diving boards shall be permitted only when the diving envelope conforms to the standards of the certifying agency that regulates competitive diving at the facility or, if designed for noncompetitive diving, shall follow this section.

(a) Diving equipment manufacturers shall provide installation instructions and specifications with each unit.

(b) A label shall be permanently affixed to the diving equipment or jump board and shall include:
1. Manufacturer's name, identification and address,

2. board equipment length,

3. identification as to diving or jump board,

4. fulcrum setting specifications (if applicable),

5. minimum water envelope required for each diving board and diving stand combination,

6. date of manufacture, and

7. maximum weight of the user.

(c) Diving equipment shall have slip-resistant tread surfaces.

(d) Diving equipment shall be permanently anchored to the pool deck. The edge of the board at the tip end shall be level with the water surface. The tip end of the board over the pool water surface may be higher than the butt end of the board.

(e) Maximum board height over the water shall have plus three inches tolerance.

(f) The maximum construction tolerance of the tip of the board from Point A as shown in DPH Rule 511-3-5-.05(7) shall be plus or minus three inches. The diving equipment shall be in compliance with DPH Rule 511-3-5-.05(6).

(9) Pool slides. The requirements of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Standard for Swimming Pool Slides as published in the Code of Federal Regulations, 16 CFR Part 1207, shall be used for standards relating to swimming pool slides. Installation and use instructions shall be provided with each unit by the manufacturer.

(10) Play structures and other equipment. Play structures and other equipment shall meet all requirements set by appropriate authorities such as building codes, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, ASTM standards, and amusement ride regulations.

(11) Bridges. Bridges spanning a pool or any other structures not intended for interactive play shall have a minimum clearance of seven feet from the bottom of the structure to the bottom of the pool and a minimum height of four feet above the water surface. A bridge shall have a minimum forty-two inch high barrier on both sides and a slip resistant walking surface constructed of concrete or a non-absorbent material. A "no diving and no-jumping" sign shall be placed at both ends of the bridge.

O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2A-6, 31-12-8, 31-45-10.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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