Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
(1)
Handholds. A public pool
shall have a suitable handhold around its perimeter in areas where the depth
exceeds three feet six inches. Handholds shall be provided no more than four
feet apart and shall consist of any one or a combination of the items listed
below:
(a) Coping, ledge or deck along the
immediate top edge of the pool which provides a slip-resisting surface of at
least four inches minimum horizontal width and located at or not more than
twelve inches above the waterline; or
(b) Ladders, stairs or seat ledges;
or
(c) A railing placed at or not
more than twelve inches above the waterline.
(2)
Rope and Float Line. A rope
and float line shall be provided within one foot of and on the shallow side of
the break in grade between the shallow and deep portions of the swimming pool,
with its position marked with visible floats at intervals of seven feet or
less.
(a) The rope and float line shall be
securely fastened to wall anchors of corrosion-resisting materials and of the
type which shall be recessed or have no projection that will constitute a
hazard when the line is removed.
(b) The line shall be of sufficient size and
strength to offer a good handhold and support loads normally imposed by
users.
(c) The operator may remove
the float line when the pool is used for lap swimming or swim meets. The line
must be reattached immediately after completion of the event.
(3)
Depth Markers for
Swimming Pools. Depth of water in feet and inches shall be plainly and
conspicuously marked at or above the waterline on the vertical pool wall and on
the top of the coping or edge of the deck or walk next to the pool. The word or
abbreviation for "feet" and "inches" must be specified. Where displayed in
meters in addition to feet and inches, the word meter shall be spelled out.
(a) Depth markers on the vertical pool wall
shall be positioned to be read from the water side. The marker shall be placed
to allow as much of the number to be visible above the waterline as
possible.
(b) Depth markers 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.
(c) Depth markers shall be
slip-resistant.
(d) Depth markers
shall be installed at the maximum and minimum water depths and at all points of
slope change.
(e) Depth markers
shall be installed at intermediate increments of water depth of two feet or
less, and shall be spaced at intervals of twenty-five feet or less.
(f) Depth markers shall be arranged uniformly
on both sides and both ends of the pool.
(g) Depth markers on irregularly shaped pools
shall designate depths at all major deviations in shape.
(h) Depth markers number and letters shall be
tile and four inches minimum in height. Numbers shall be of contrasting color
to the background on which they are applied.
(i) Depth markers shall indicate the actual
pool depth within plus or minus three inches, at normal operating level when
measured three feet from the pool wall or at the tangent point where the cove
radius meets the floor, whichever is deeper.
(j) Interactive water play pools shall not be
required to have depth markings or "No Diving" signage.
(4)
Depth Markers for Spas.
Public spas shall have permanent depth markers with numbers and letters a
minimum of four inches high plainly and conspicuously visible from all obvious
points of entry and in conformance with subsections (a) thru (f) below:
(a) There shall be a minimum of two depth
markers per spa, regardless of spa size or shape.
(b) Depth markers shall be spaced no more
than twenty-five feet apart and shall be uniformly located around the perimeter
of the spa.
(c) Depth markers shall
be positioned on the deck within eighteen inches of the water line.
(d) Depth markers shall be positioned to be
read while standing on the deck facing the water.
(e) Depth markers in or on the deck surfaces
shall be slip-resisting.
(5)
Clock. All public facilities
shall have a functioning clock which is visible to spa users.
(6)
Water Temperature. The
maximum temperature in a spa shall not exceed 104°F (40°C).
(a) The spa operator shall be provided with
an accurate thermometer (±1°F tolerance) and shall periodically check to ensure
that the maximum temperature does not exceed 104°F.
(b) A means to determine the spa temperature
with a ±1°F tolerance shall be provided to the user.
(7)
Water Agitation. The
agitation system on spas constructed after 31 December 2016 shall be connected
to a minute timer that does not exceed fifteen minutes and shall be located out
of reach of a bather in the spa.
(8)
Emergency shutoff switch. A
clearly labeled emergency shutoff switch shall be provided for all pools and
spas constructed or remodeled after the adoption of this chapter. The emergency
shutoff or control switch shall stop the motors that provide
power to the circulation system and hydrotherapy or agitation system pump. The
emergency shutoff switch installation shall be installed in accordance with the
applicable electrical code.
(9)
Lifeguards. All owners, managers, or lifeguards, if provided,
shall be responsible for the supervision and safety of the pool, spa, or
recreational water park. If lifeguards and safety assistants are provided, then
they must hold current, nationally recognized certifications in lifeguarding
and a designated title commensurate to the assigned duties. Adult/child/infant
CPR and First Aid certifications also must be current. The certificates, or
photocopies thereof, shall be maintained at the facility and be available to
the local health authority for inspection.
(10)
Lifesaving Equipment. All
public swimming pools shall have lifesaving equipment conspicuously and
conveniently on hand at all times. Lifesaving equipment for special purpose
pools may be exempted from this requirement or the requirements will be
provided as deemed necessary by Health Authority. The following will be
provided:
(a) A light, strong pole not less
than twelve feet long including body hook.
(b) A minimum one-fourth inch diameter
throwing rope one and one-half times the maximum width of the pool or fifty
feet in length, whichever is less, to which has been firmly attached a ring
buoy with an outside diameter of approximately fifteen inches or a similar
flotation device which is U.S. Coast Guard approved.
(c) An operable, hard-wired, conventional
telephone line or continuous powered source, weatherproof emergency phone shall
be permanently installed in a conspicuous location within the pool enclosure
and must be readily available to bathers at all times. The emergency phone
shall be capable of connecting to 911 and electronically transferring an
automatic number identification and automatic locator identification of the
pool emergency phone to the public safety answering point, if available. A 911
sign or the names and phone numbers of the nearest available police, fire,
ambulance service or rescue unit shall be posted nearby.
(11)
Barriers. All outdoor
swimming pools and spas shall be enclosed by a barrier to prevent entry to the
pool area when the pool is closed.
(a) The top
of the barrier shall be at least forty eight inches above grade measured on the
side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.
1. The maximum vertical clearance between a
solid surface and the bottom of the barrier shall be four inches measured on
the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.
2. For non-solid surfaces, the vertical
clearance between the bottom of the barrier and the grade shall not exceed two
inches for a barrier constructed after adoption of the chapter.
3. Where the top of the pool structure is
above grade, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool
structure.
4. Where the barrier is
mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between
the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be four
inches.
(b) Openings in
the barrier shall not allow passage of a four inch diameter sphere.
(c) Solid barriers which do not have openings
such as a masonry or stone wall, shall not contain indentations or protrusions
except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.
(d) Where the barrier is composed of
horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the
horizontal members is less than forty-five inches, the horizontal members shall
be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical
members shall not exceed one and three-fourth inches in width. Where there are
decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall
not exceed one and three-fourth inches in width.
(e) Where the barrier is composed of
horizontal and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the
horizontal members is forty-five inches or more, spacing between vertical
members shall not exceed four inches. Where there are decorative cutouts within
vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed one and
three-fourth inches in width.
(f)
Maximum size for chain link fences shall be one and three-fourth inches unless
the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce
the openings to no more than one and three-fourth inches.
(g) Where the barrier is composed of diagonal
members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal
members shall be no more than one and three-fourth inches.
(h) Access gates shall also comply with the
requirements of this Rule and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking
device. Barrier gates shall open away from the pool in facilities constructed
after adoption of this chapter. Pedestrian access gates shall be self-closing
and have a self-latching device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates shall
have a self-latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching
device is located less than fifty-four inches from the bottom of the gate,
1. The release mechanism shall be located on
the pool side of the gate at least three inches below the top of the gate
and
2. Any openings in the gate or
barrier located within eighteen inches of the release mechanism shall be less
than one-half inch.
3. Mechanisms
controlled by an access card reader, key entry device or keypad shall be
located on the outside of the access gate.
(i) There shall not be direct access from any
dwelling into the pool enclosure. For indoor pools, other means of protection,
such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, keypads, card readers or
key entry devices which are approved by the appropriate administrative
authority, shall be accepted so long as the degree of protection afforded is
not less than the protection of an outdoor facility.
(j) Barriers shall be located so as to
prohibit permanent structures, equipment or similar objects from being used to
climb the barriers. There shall be a clear zone of not less than thirty-six
inches around the exterior of the barrier.
(k) A spa with a safety cover that complies
with ASTM F1346,"Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling
Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs" shall be
exempt from the provisions of this section. Swimming pools with safety covers
shall not be exempt from the provisions of this rule.
(l) Windows on a building that form part of a
barrier around a pool shall have a maximum opening width not to exceed four
inches. If designed to be opened, windows shall also be provided with a
non-removable screen.
(m) For a
passage through a wall separating the indoor portion of a pool from an outdoor
portion of the same pool, the overhead clearance of the passage to the pool
floor shall be at least six feet eight inches to any solid structure overhead.
(12)
Warning
Signs for Swimming Pools. Signs shall be provided as follows:
(a) The words "No Diving" and the universal
international symbol for "NO DIVING" shall be permanently visible at the edge
of the deck for water five feet in depth or less, placed only on the deck
beside the depth markers, and shall conform to that outlined for depth markers
in subsections (3)(a) thru (h) above.
(b) Where no lifeguard is on duty, a sign or
signs shall be placed in clear view at or near the entrance to the pool and
shall state in clearly legible letters at least four inches high
"WARNING - NO LIFE GUARD ON DUTY and RISK OF DROWNING -
SUPERVISE CHILDREN CLOSELY".
(c) The same sign in subsection (b) above or
an additional sign will state under the heading "Pool Risks" the following
items in clearly legible letters at least one inch high:
1. Shower before entering the
water.
2. Children shall not use
pool without an adult in attendance.
3. Adults should not swim alone.
4. All children three years old and younger
and any child not potty-trained must wear snug fitting plastic pants or a water
resistant swim diaper.
5. Do not
swim if the suction outlets are missing, broken, or not clearly visible from
the deck.
6. No glass articles
allowed in or around pool.
7. Do
not swallow the pool water.
8. Do
not dive unless diving area is clear of other bathers.
9. Do not swim if you had diarrhea within the
past two weeks.
10. No animals are
allowed in the pool or pool enclosure, except service animals are allowed on
the deck.
(13)
Warning Signs for Spas.
Signs shall be provided as follows:
(a)
Signage which states safety, emergency and operational aspects of the spa,
shall be prominently located near the spa.
(b) Warning signs for spas shall be in clear
view of the spa and prominently displayed. Signs shall state the spa's address,
the location of the nearest telephone with references that emergency telephone
numbers are posted at the location. These emergency telephone numbers should
include the name and phone number of the nearest available police, fire or
ambulance service, and "911" if available. Signs shall include, but not be
limited to the following messages:
1. Risk of
Fetus Damage. Hot water exposure limitations vary from person to person.
Pregnant women and small children should not use spa without medical
approval.
2. Risk of Drowning.
Other persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood
pressure, and other health problems should not enter the spa without medical
approval.
3. Risk of Drowning. Do
not use the spa while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or drugs that
cause sleepiness and drowsiness or raise/lower blood pressure.
4. Risk of Drowning. Use caution when bathing
alone. Overexposure to hot water may cause nausea, dizziness, and fainting.
Lower water temperatures are recommended for young children and for extended
use (more than10-15 minutes).
5.
Risk of Drowning. Do not use or operate spa if the suction fitting is missing,
broken, or loose.
6. Risk of Child
Drowning. Unsupervised use by children is prohibited. Children under five shall
not use the spa.
7. Risk of Injury.
Check spa temperature before entering. The spa temperature should not exceed
104°F.
8. Risk of Injury. Enter and
exit slowly.
9. Risk of Injury.
Keep all glass and breakable objects out of the spa area.
10. Risk of Shock. Never place electrical
appliances (telephone, radio, or televisions) within five feet of the
spa.
(c) A sign shall be
posted stating the hours of operation in clear view near the entrance and shall
state the theoretical peak occupancy.
(14) In all swimming pools built prior to
December 31, 2016 which have floor slopes greater than that allowed in this
chapter or which have other construction variances to this chapter, the health
authority may require a warning sign stating the possible hazard to be posted
in public view.
(15)
Obstructions and Entrapment Avoidance. There shall be no
obstructions that might injure or entrap a user. Types of entrapment include,
but are not limited to, wedge or pinch-type openings and rigid cantilevered
protrusions.
(16) At least one
drinking fountain shall be provided and available to users at the pool
site.
(17) A minimum of one rinse
shower shall be provided on the pool deck of all public pools and spas. Water
used for rinse showers may be at ambient temperature.
(18) Class C multi-family residential housing
pools are exempt from the requirements of (17) and (18) of the rule, if the
facility is only open to residents and their guests.
O.C.G.A. §§
31-2A-6, 31-12-8, 31-45-10.
