New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, , Section 6-3.24 - Spray ground design standards | New York Codes, Rules and Regulations

(a) Submission of plans.

(1) General. All plans shall be prepared by a person licensed by the State of New York to practice engineering or architecture. All construction shall comply with the requirements of the Uniform Code. Plans, specifications and reports submitted for formal approval must contain sufficient information to demonstrate to the permit-issuing official or his/her designated representative that the proposed spray ground, or improvements thereto, will meet the standards contained herein and shall include, but not be limited to, those factors hereinafter set forth in paragraph (2) of this subdivision.

(2) Basis of design report:

(i) spray pad shape and area;

(ii) number and type of spray features and drains;

(iii) spray pad treatment tank volume;

(iv) feature and filter flow rates, turnover and filtration rate;

(v) patron use (daily maximum and average);

(vi) source, quality, quantity available and characteristics of the water supplied to a spray ground and spray pad, including alkalinity, pH, iron and manganese;

(vii) detailed description of filtration, recirculation equipment and chemical feed equipment;

(viii) hydraulic computations including head loss in all piping and recirculation equipment; and

(ix) pump curves, showing that the proposed recirculation pump can adequately pump proposed flows.

(3) Plans and specifications.

(i) General layout plan:

(a) name and address of the proposed facility and the name and address of the owner;

(b) scale, north point and direction of prevailing wind;

(c) date, address, name, professional seal and signature of the design engineer or architect; and

(d) a plot plan of the property to be used, indicating the topography, the arrangement and location of present and proposed structures, and the location of present and proposed spray ground.

(ii) Detailed plans. All detailed plans shall be drawn to a suitable scale and include the following information:

(a) complete construction details, including dimensions, elevations and appropriate cross-sections;

(b) schematic diagrams and plan and elevation views of the spray pad water treatment and recirculation system;

(c) size and location of all piping, including elevations; and

(d) specifications. Complete, detailed specifications for the construction of the spray ground/spray pad, bathhouse, recirculation system, filtration facilities, disinfection equipment and all other appurtenances shown on detailed plans shall be submitted.

(b) Construction material.

(1) Materials. Spray pads shall be constructed of materials which are inert, stable, nontoxic, watertight and enduring. Sand or earth surfaces are not permitted.

(2) Finish. Spray pad surface must be slip resistant and easily cleanable.

(c) Design detail.

(1) Spray pad. The spray pad shall be sloped to drain(s). The slope shall be sufficient to prevent water from collecting on the pad.

(i) Drain systems. The size, number and locations of the spray pad drains shall be determined and specified so as to assure water does not accumulate on the spray pads. Flow through the drains to the spray pad treatment tank shall be under gravity, direct suction outlets from the spray pad are prohibited.

(a) Valves and piping shall be provided in the spray pad drain system to allow for discharging spray pad water to waste prior to returning to the spray pad treatment tank.

(b) Grating. Openings in the grates covering the drains shall not be over one-half inch wide. Gratings shall not be removable without the use of tools.

(2) Decks. A continuous clear deck shall surround the entire spray pad perimeter. It shall be not less than five feet wide. The deck shall be of a uniform, easily cleaned, impervious material and be protected from surface runoff.

(i) Slope. The deck shall be sloped at least one-fourth inch per foot to deck drains or grade.

(ii) Drainage. Deck drains, when used, shall be spaced and arranged so that not more than 400 square feet of area is tributary to each drain, and drains shall not be spaced more than 25 feet apart. There shall be no direct connection between the spray pad deck drains and the sanitary sewer system, or the treatment tank or recirculation system.

(iii) Carpeting. Carpeting shall not be permitted on the spray pad or decks.

(iv) Hose bibbs. Hose bibbs shall be provided to facilitate flushing of the spray pad and deck areas and shall be provided with antisiphonage devices.

(3) Foot showers. Showers shall be provided at the entry to the spray pad to allow for rinsing debris from patrons' feet prior to entering the spray pad except such showers are not required at indoor spray grounds or those within the enclosure of an aquatic amusement park. The use of foot baths is prohibited.

(i) Waste water from the foot showers shall be discharged to an approved waste disposal system to prevent standing water on the ground surface, and/or contamination of ground water, surface water or the spray ground.

(4) Fencing. All spray pads shall be provided with an enclosure to prevent access by patrons and animals when the spray pad is not supervised.

(5) Spray features. Spray features shall be designed and installed so as not to pose a tripping hazard, a hazard to patrons due to water velocity from the spray feature discharge, or other safety hazards.

(d) Lighting, electrical, ventilation requirements.

(1) Lighting. Artificial lighting shall be provided at all spray pads which are used at night, or which do not have adequate natural lighting, so that all portions of the spray pad and deck may be readily seen.

(i) Equipment rooms. All spray pad equipment and chemical storage rooms shall be provided with artificial lighting sufficient to illuminate all equipment and supplies.

(2) Electrical.

(i) Wiring shall conform to the Uniform Code and the requirements of the appropriate regulatory agency. A certificate of electrical compliance shall be submitted for all new electrical work.

(ii) Overhead clearance. No electrical wiring shall pass overhead within a 20- foot horizontal distance of the spray pad.

(iii) Electrical receptacles. Ground-fault circuit interrupters shall be provided on all spray pads, for all lighting and other electrical circuits in the area of the spray pad. These devices may be required in an existing spray pad, when the permit-issuing official determines it is necessary to protect the safety of patrons.

(3) Ventilation.

(i) Room ventilation. Bathhouses, mechanical equipment rooms, storage areas and indoor spray pad enclosures shall be ventilated, either by natural or mechanical means in accordance with requirements contained in the Uniform Code. Fuel-burning heating equipment shall be installed and vented to the outdoors in accordance with the Uniform Code.

(e) Water supply and wastewater disposal.

(1) Water supply. The water supply serving all plumbing fixtures, including drinking fountains, lavatories and showers, shall, after treatment, meet the provisions required for a public water system as defined in the State Sanitary Code (Subpart 5-1 of this Title). A spray ground with an on-site water supply that does not meet the definition of a public water system must comply with the standards established in Subpart 5-1 of this Title for a non-community water system.

(2) Cross-connection control. All portions of the water distribution system serving the spray pad and auxiliary facilities shall be protected against backflow and back-siphonage. Water introduced into the spray pad, either directly or to the recirculation system, shall be supplied through an air gap or by another method which will prevent backflow and back- siphonage.

(3) Sanitary wastes. Sanitary sewage shall be disposed of through a municipal sanitary sewerage system. If a private subsurface sewage disposal system or other system must be used, approval of the system must be obtained from the appropriate regulatory agency.

(4) Spray pad waste water. Water used to flush the spray pad shall be discharged to an approved waste disposal system through a suitable air gap so as to preclude the possibility of backup of sewage or waste water into the spray pad piping system. Approval of the system must be obtained from the appropriate regulatory agency.

(f) Spray pad treatment system design.

(1) The water from the spray pad treatment system cannot be combined/circulated with water from other aquatic facilities such as swimming pools, water slides, or wave pools unless:

(i) all the water from the spray pad is treated by ultraviolet (uv) light disinfection prior to combining/circulating with water from the other aquatic facilities; or

(ii) UV light disinfection must be provided to treat all of the water in the other aquatic facilities. The minimum flow rate through the treatment system shall be calculated using the two techniques described below. The larger flow rate resulting from the two calculations shall be the minimum flow rate used for the treatment system design. All recirculated water must pass through both the ultraviolet light unit(s) and filters;

(a) minimum flow for ultraviolet light disinfection:

Image

Q is in gallons per minute through the ultraviolet disinfection/filtration system

V is in gallons and is the volume of the pool.

Number of turnovers = 14.8-ln(V)

The term ln(V) is the natural log of the volume;

(b) minimum filtration rate for a combined pool/spray pad system: The minimum filtration rate for a pool that shares water with a spray pad is specified in clause (3)(ii)(c) of this subdivision. The minimum filtration flow rate shall be at least the sum of the flow rate for the pool type specified in Subpart 6-1 of this Title and one third of the spray feature flow rate.

(2) When water supplying the spray features is removed from the spray pad treatment tank by a pump separate from the filtration/recirculation pump system, the ratio of the flow rate of water supplied to the spray features directly from the treatment tank must not exceed three times the design filtered water flow rate.

(3) Recirculation systems and equipment. A recirculation system consisting of pumps, piping, filters, water conditioning and disinfection equipment, and other accessory equipment, shall be provided which will clarify, chemically balance and disinfect the spray pad water. The spray pad treatment tank filtration, circulation and spray pad chemical disinfection equipment must operate 24 hours a day.

(i) Equipment approval. Equipment used or proposed for use in spray pad water treatment shall be of proven design and construction and other than ultraviolet light units be tested and listed by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) or another testing laboratory under standards promulgated by NSF.

(ii) Turnover rate.

(a) When water is supplied to the spray features by a pump which removes water directly from the spray pad treatment tank independent from the spray pad treatment tank filter pump, the turnover rate for filtration will be determined by the feature flow rate. The filtration flow rate for the spray pad treatment tank must be at least one-third of the design spray feature flow rate.

(b) When all of the water supplied to the spray features is filtered upon removal from the spray pad treatment tank before being supplied to the spray features, a reduced pumping rate for filtration/treatment of the spray pad treatment tank water can be used when the spray features are not in operation. However, a minimum four-hour turnover rate is required.

(c) The minimum flow rate through the filtration system for combined pool/spray pad systems shall be equal to or greater than the sum of the flow rate for the specific type pool as required by Subpart 6-1 of this Title, plus one third of the spray feature flow rate.

(4) Spray pad treatment tank. The spray pad treatment tank that receives the effluent water from the spray pad shall conform to the following specifications.

(i) The volume of the water in the spray pad treatment tank shall be sufficient to assure continuous operation of the filtration system. The capacity shall be measured from six inches above the uppermost pump inlet to the bottom of the overflow waste outlet.

(ii) The spray pad treatment tank must be designed to provide ready access for cleaning and inspections, and be capable of complete draining. An overflow pipe to convey excess water to waste through a suitable air gap must be provided.

(iii) The spray pad treatment tank shall be constructed of materials which are inert, corrosion resistant, nontoxic, and watertight such as concrete, fiberglass, stainless steel, etc., which can withstand all anticipated loadings under full and empty conditions.

(iv) An automatic water level controller shall be provided for the spray pad treatment tank.

(v) The makeup water shall be introduced into the spray pad treatment tank through an air gap or by another method which will prevent back flow and back-siphonage.

(vi) A screen or similar device shall be provided through which all water from the spray pad shall pass before entering the spray pad treatment tank or another method/process described to provide for removal of debris on the surface layer of the spray pad treatment tank water.

(vii) Spray pad treatment tank filtered/treated water inlets.

(a) Number and location. An adequate number of filtered/treated water inlets shall be provided and located for complete mixing and circulation of treated water within the spray pad treatment tank.

(viii) Spray pad treatment tank drain. At least one main drain suction outlet supplying water to the spray pad treatment tank filtration system shall be provided at the deepest point in the spray pad treatment tank.

(5) Piping.

(i) Materials. The recirculation piping and fittings shall be of nontoxic material, resistant to corrosion, and able to withstand operating pressures suitable for water supply use.

(ii) Velocities. The pipes, fittings and valves of the recirculation system shall be sized so that velocities do not exceed six feet per second under suction, 10 feet per second under pressure and three feet per second in gravity flow. The velocities may be exceeded when hydraulic computations indicate higher velocities will not adversely affect the spray pad treatment system.

(6) Drainage and installation. All equipment and piping shall be designed and fabricated to drain completely by use of drain plugs, drain valves or other means. All piping shall be supported continuously or at sufficiently close intervals to prevent sagging. All suction piping shall be sloped in one direction, preferably toward the pump. All supply and return pipelines to the spray pad shall be provided with insertable plugs or valves to allow the piping to be drained to a point below the frost line. Provision shall be made for expansion and contraction of pipes.

(7) Pumps and strainers.

(i) Strainers. Strainers shall be provided through which all water shall pass before entering the pump. The strainers shall be of rigid construction, fabricated of corrosion-resistant material and sufficiently strong to prevent collapsing when clogged. The openings shall be no greater than one-eighth inch in any dimension. The total clear area of all openings shall be at least four times the area of the connecting pipe. The strainer shall have a quick-opening cover. Spare strainer baskets shall be provided. In systems where the filter is located on the suction side of the pump, strainers are not required.

(ii) Pumping equipment. The recirculation pump shall have adequate capacity to meet the design requirements of the spray pad treatment tank, including filter backwashing. It shall be of a self-priming type if installed above the hydraulic gradient. A gauge that indicates both pressure and vacuum shall be installed on the pump suction header and a pressure gauge shall be installed on the discharge side of the pump.

(8) Flow measurement and control.

(i) Flow measurement. A means of continuously measuring rate of flow shall be provided in the recirculation system. For sand filters, the flow-measuring equipment shall be located where the backwash flow rate can also be determined. The indicator shall be capable of measuring at least 11/2 times the design flow rate and shall be accurate within 10 percent of true flow. The indicator shall have a range of readings appropriate for the anticipated flow rates, and be installed where it is readily accessible for reading and maintenance, and with straight pipe upstream and downstream of any fitting or restriction in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation.

(ii) Flow regulation. Automatic devices are required for regulating the rate of flow through the filtration system and flow to the spray features.

(g) Filtration (general). A spray pad treatment tank treatment system shall have one or more filters. It shall be installed with adequate clearance and facilities for ready and safe inspection, maintenance, disassembly and repair.

(1) Sand filters. The design filtration rate of high-rate sand filters (pressure or vacuum) shall not exceed a filtration rate of 15 gallons per minute per square foot of filter area. The sand filter system shall be equipped to backwash each filter at a rate of 12 to 15 gallons per minute per square foot of filter bed area, or as recommended by the manufacturer. The backwash water shall be discharged to waste through a suitable air gap.

(i) Filter media. Sand or other media shall be carefully graded and meet the manufacturer's recommendation for pool use.

(ii) Accessories shall include influent pressure gauge, effluent pressure gauge, backwash sight glass and air relief valve.

(2) Diatomaceous earth. The design filtration rate for pressure or vacuum filters shall be no greater than 1.5 gallons per minute per square foot of effective filter area, except that a maximum filtration rate of 2.0 gallons per minute per square foot may be allowed where continuous "body feed" is provided. The filter and all component parts shall be of such materials, design and construction to withstand normal continuous use without significant deformation, deterioration, corrosion or wear which could adversely affect filter operation.

(i) Precoating. The filter piping shall be designed to refilter or waste the effluent until a uniform body coat is applied. For pressure-type filters, precoat feed equipment shall be provided to apply not less than 0.1 pound of diatomaceous earth per square foot of filter area.

(ii) Body feed equipment. Body feed equipment capable of applying not less than 0.1 pound of diatomaceous earth per square foot of filter area per 24 hours should be provided.

(iii) Regenerative-type filters. Regenerative type of filters shall meet the same standards as pressure filters. Pumping by air or manual means must be provided for, and provision for visual inspection of elements shall be provided.

(iv) Accessories. Accessories for vacuum filters shall include a vacuum gauge and a vacuum limit switch interconnected with the pump. Pressure filters require a backwash sight glass, effluent pressure gauge, influent pressure gauge and air relief valve.

(v) Backwash. Diatomaceous earth filter backwash water must discharge to the sewer system through a separation tank and a suitable air gap. The separation tank sludge shall be disposed of in an approved solid waste disposal facility.

(3) Cartridge filters: filter rate. The design filtration rate for cartridge filters shall not exceed 0.375 gallon per minute per square foot of filter media.

(i) Cartridges. A complete extra set of filter cartridges must be on hand at user's location.

(ii) Accessories shall include influent pressure gauge, effluent pressure gauge and air relief valve.

(h) Disinfection. Spray pad treatment tanks shall be designed to provide for continuous disinfection of the spray pad water with a chemical which is an effective disinfectant and which imparts an easily measured, active residual. An automatic controller shall be provided for continuously monitoring and adjusting the level of free residual disinfectant in the spray pad treatment tank.

(1) Disinfectant feeders. An automatic feeder which is easily adjustable shall be provided for the application of disinfectant.

(i) Construction. Feeders shall be of sturdy construction and materials which will withstand wear, corrosion or attack by disinfectant solutions or vapors, and which are not adversely affected by repeated, regular adjustments or other normal use conditions.

(ii) Maintenance. Feeders shall be capable of being easily disassembled for cleaning and maintenance.

(iii) Operation. The design and construction shall minimize stoppage from chemicals intended to be used or foreign materials that may be contained therein.

(iv) Safeguards. The feeders shall incorporate antisiphon safeguards so that the disinfectant cannot continue to feed into the spray pad treatment tank, the spray pad piping system or the spray pad enclosure if any type of failure of the spray pad equipment occurs.

(v) Capacity. Feeders shall be capable of supplying disinfectant to the spray pad treatment tank in the range up to 10 mg/l chlorine or equivalent.

(2) Hypochlorinators. Where hypochlorinators are used, the following requirements shall apply:

(i) Feed. Feed shall be continuous under all conditions of pressure in the recirculation system without constriction of the recirculation pump suction.

(ii) Solution tanks. If calcium hypochlorite is used, two solution tanks, each with minimum capacity of one-day supply, should be provided. All chemical containers, including those used with chemical feeders, must be clearly labeled regarding their contents.

(3) Ultraviolet light disinfection units.

(i) Treatment systems shall include ultraviolet light disinfection systems unless another treatment process is provided that has been determined by the State Department of Health to be capable of providing the equivalent level of reduction of cryptosporidium as the ultraviolet light disinfection system specified in this section. All water that is provided to the spray pad shall be treated with ultraviolet light during spray pad operation. The ultraviolet light unit validated dosage shall be equivalent to 40mJ/cm2 or greater at the end of lamp life.

(a) All ultraviolet light units must be validated. The validation process must determine the ultraviolet light unit's disinfection performance by indicating that a dose of 40mJ/cm2 (at end of lamp life) is achieved at a flow rate equal to or greater than the design flow rate at the setpoint intensity. Validation testing must be performed by an independent agency. The validation procedure used must have been determined by the State Department of Health to be capable of demonstrating the disinfection performance described above.

(b) For systems utilizing quartz sleeves to separate the water passing through the chamber from the ultraviolet source, the system shall be designed to permit cleaning of the lamp jackets and the sensor window or lens without mechanical disassembly. For systems utilizing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface materials to separate the water that flows through the ultraviolet chamber from the lamps, the ultraviolet unit shall be designed to be readily accessible to the interior and exterior of the PTFE. The ultraviolet unit shall be designed to permit use of either physical or chemical cleaning methods.

(c) An accurately calibrated ultraviolet light intensity meter, properly filtered to restrict its sensitivity to the disinfection spectrum shall be installed in the wall of the disinfection chamber at the point of greatest water depth from the tube or tubes.

(d) An automatic system shall be installed to prevent flow to the features in the event the ultraviolet light intensity decreases below the validated setpoint.

(e) An automatic, audible alarm shall be installed to warn of ultraviolet light disinfection system malfunction or impending shutdown.

(f) The unit shall be designed to protect the operator against electrical shock or excessive radiation.

(g) Installation of the unit shall be in a protected enclosure not subject to extremes of temperature.

(h) A spare ultraviolet lamp and other necessary equipment to effect prompt repair by qualified personnel properly instructed in the operation and maintenance of the equipment shall be provided on-site.

(i) The ultraviolet light unit shall be located between the spray pad treatment tank pump discharge and the spray features or as approved in accordance with paragraph (f)(1) of this section.

(4) Disinfection with bromine. Where bromine is used as a disinfectant, the permit-issuing official shall first approve use of solid stick-type bromine and the equipment provided for feeding on a continuous basis.

(5) Ozone generating equipment (OGE) is acceptable only as a supplement to a chlorine or bromine disinfection system. When OGE is installed, the following design performance standards must be met:

(i) Ozone concentration in the spray pad treatment tank water shall not exceed 0.1 mg/l. Off-gassing of ozone shall not result in ozone levels in the equipment room or in the spray pad area exceeding 0.1 ppm. At the time the OGE is installed and annually thereafter the air space within six inches of the spray pad treatment tank water level and air in the equipment room shall be tested to determine compliance with this requirement.

(ii) All corona discharge OGEs must be vacuum systems.

(iii) Backflow of spray pad water into the OGE shall not occur.

(6) pH adjustment. Positive feed equipment for the purpose of adding a chemical for pH adjustment shall be provided. An automatic controller shall be provided for continuously monitoring and adjusting the level of pH in the spray pad treatment tank.

(i) Where carbon dioxide (CO 2) is used as a method of pH control, the following features shall be provided:

(a) CO 2 shall be injected into the recirculation pipe at the same point where pH adjustment solutions (i.e., acid) would normally be added. The recirculation pipe shall be of sufficient size and length to provide a minimum of five seconds contact time prior to bather contact.

(b) CO 2 cylinders shall be anchored to prevent damage. Cylinders shall be inaccessible to the general public.

(c) The manufacturer's instructions shall be followed for installation and operation of cylinders. The units shall be operated by the designated persons listed in the safety plan.

(d) CO 2 cylinders should be stored in a protective enclosure at the exterior of occupied structures. If CO 2 cylinders are provided in the interior of occupied structures, they shall be placed in a ventilated enclosure. A louvered fresh air intake shall be provided near the ceiling. Mechanical exhaust ventilation shall be provided at the rate of one air change every three minutes and take suction near the floor as far as practical from the door and fresh air intake. Exhausted air shall be ducted to the exterior of the building through a continuous pipe of at least 11/2 inches in diameter with the point of discharge so located as not to contaminate air inlets to any rooms or structures.

(7) Chemical feed equipment. Equipment and piping used to apply chemicals to the water shall be of such size, design and material that they may be cleaned. All material used for such equipment and piping shall be resistant to action of chemicals to be used therein.

(8) An automatic device shall be provided to deactivate chemical feeders when there is no flow in the spray pad treatment tank recirculation system.

(9) Test kit. Colorimetric test kits shall be provided for the determination of free disinfectant residual, pH of the pool water and, where necessary, total alkalinity and calcium hardness. FAS-DPD test kits are also acceptable. A supply of appropriate reagents for making each type of test shall be provided. When colorimetric tests are used, color standards shall be furnished for each of the tests, that allow an accurate comparison of the sample to be tested, both from the standpoint of color and density, and shall be reasonably permanent and nonfading. Electronic residual and pH monitoring devices may be used in addition to the test kit.

(i) Standards. A DPD (Diethyl-P-Phenylene Diamine) test kit with the following increments: 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10 ppm as a minimum, shall be provided to measure the chlorine residual. If other halogens are used, an appropriate scale shall be provided.

(ii) A pH kit. A pH test kit with a range from 6.8 to 8.2, accurate to the nearest 0.2 pH unit, shall be provided.

(i) Bathhouse.

(1) General. Adequate sanitary facilities shall be provided for all spray grounds.

(2) Diaper changing stations. Diaper changing stations shall be provided.

(3) Bathhouse design. Floors of the bathhouse shall be of smooth-finished material with nonslip surfaces, impervious to moisture, easily cleanable and sloped at least one-fourth inch per foot to drains. Carpeting shall not be permitted in shower and toilet areas. Junctions between walls and floors shall be coved and of smooth, impervious materials, free from cracks or open joints. Partitions between dressing cubicles shall terminate at least 10 inches above the floor, or shall be placed on continuous raised masonry or concrete bases at least four inches high. Lockers shall be set either on solid masonry or concrete bases at least four inches above the floor. Lockers shall be vented.

(4) Fixture requirements. An adequate number of toilet and handwashing facilities shall be provided.

(i) Fixtures. Plumbing fixtures and installations shall be in accordance with the Uniform Code.

(5) Hose bibbs. Hose bibbs shall be provided within the bathhouse to enable the entire area to be flushed. Hose bibbs shall be provided with antisiphonage devices.

(j) Miscellaneous.

(1) Manual. A manual(s) for operation and maintenance of the spray pad equipment shall be provided. It shall include instructions for each filter, pump, disinfection or other piece of equipment, drawings, illustrations, charts, operating instructions and parts list, to permit service, operation, winterization and maintenance.