Illinois Administrative Code
Title 77 - PUBLIC HEALTH
Part 820 - SWIMMING FACILITY CODE
Subpart C - SWIMMING FACILITY DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Section 820.250 - Slides
Universal Citation: 77 IL Admin Code ยง 820.250
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, March 22, 2024
a) General Requirements
1) Structure. All slides shall be
designed and constructed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to
carry the anticipated load. Plans for water slides shall be signed and sealed
by a structural engineer licensed to practice in Illinois.
2) Steps. Slide steps shall be slip-resistant
and have a minimum tread of 2 inches and a minimum length of 12 inches. The
riser height of the steps shall not exceed 12 inches. Specific requirements
that apply to water slides are included in subsection (b)(1).
3) Plunge Pools. Plunge pools shall comply
with Sections
820.200
and
820.210,
except that, for a plunge pool for a water slide, a deck is not required where
the slide exits into the pool.
b) Water Slides
1) Design and Construction. All curves, turns
and tunnels on the path of a flume shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
2) Walkways. Walkways or stairs leading to
the top of water slides shall be slip-resistant and rigid, and shall have a 4
feet minimum clear width.
3) Slide
Position
A) A flume shall be perpendicular to
the pool wall for a distance of at least 10 feet from the exit end of the
slide. The last 10 feet of the flume shall have a slope that is not steeper
than 1 foot in 10.
B) A flume shall
terminate between a depth of 6 inches below to 2 inches above the pool water
surface level.
C) The plunge area
water depth shall be between 21/2 and 4 feet at the end of the flume and for at
least 10 feet beyond. The pool floor slope in the plunge area shall not exceed
1 foot vertical in 12 feet horizontal.
4) Surge Reservoir. A surge storage reservoir
shall be provided except where the pool water elevation will not be lowered
more than 1 inch when the water slide pumps are in operation. The surge
reservoir shall not be accessible to the public.
5) Plunge Area. A slide plunge area shall
extend at least 5 feet on either side of the centerline of the slide terminus
and 25 feet in front of the slide. This area shall not infringe on the plunge
area for any other slides or diving equipment. Steps shall not infringe on this
area. A water slide plunge area in a swimming pool shall be roped off from the
rest of the pool when the slide is in operation. A means of egress shall be
provided near the side of the plunge area opposite the flume
terminus.
6) Grates. The intake
openings for water pumped from a beach shall be covered by grating that cannot
be removed without the use of tools. The grate openings shall be at least four
times the area of the intake pipe or have an open area so that the maximum
velocity of the water passing through the grate does not exceed 11/2 feet per
second. The maximum width of the grate openings shall be 1/2 inch. Pump suction
intakes at a beach shall be located or protected so as to be inaccessible to
bathers.
c) Drop Slides
1) Slide Position. A slide landing area shall
extend at least 5 feet on either side of the centerline of the slide terminus
and 20 feet in front of the slide. This area shall not infringe on the landing
area for any other slides or diving equipment. Steps shall not infringe on this
area.
2) Water Depth. The water
depth directly below the slide discharge point and for a distance of 12 feet
beyond shall comply with the following requirements:
Slide Platform Height Above Water Level in Feet |
Minimum Water Depth in Feet |
3.5 to 5 |
8 |
5 to 10 |
10 |
10 to 12 |
12 |
3)
Platform Height. The drop slide platform shall not exceed 12 feet in height,
measured above the water level in the plunge area.
d) Other Slides
1) A slide plunge area shall extend at least
31/2 feet on either side of the centerline of the slide terminus and 20 feet in
front of the slide. This area shall not infringe on the landing area for any
other slides, water slides, drop slides, or diving equipment.
2) Unless the slide is designed by the
manufacturer for safe exits at lesser water depths, the water depth and slide
exit height above the water shall be in accordance with the following table.
The exit height shall not exceed 48 inches above the water surface.
Exit Height Above Waterline, Inches |
Minimum Water Depth in Feet |
0 to 6 |
2.0 |
6 to 12 |
2.5 |
12 to 18 |
3.5 |
18 to 24 |
5.0 |
24 to 30 |
6.0 |
30 to 42 |
8.0 |
42 to 48 |
10.0 |
3)
Slides shall be positioned so that any water flowing off the end of the slide
terminus drops into the pool.
4)
Handrails. Slides shall be equipped with handrails to aid the slider in safely
making the transition from the ladder to the runway. Handrails shall begin at a
point no more than 4 feet above the pool deck.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Illinois 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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