Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A)
The design
requirements set forth by this rule shall apply to any newly constructed,
substantially altered public swimming pool, or an existing unlicensed public
swimming pool. All plans for new or substantially altered public swimming pools
shall be submitted for review in accordance with rule
3701-31-05 of the Administrative
Code.
(B)
Safe design. The shape, dimensional design, and other
features of a public swimming pool and the surrounding area shall be designed
to ensure that the circulation of water and the safety of the patrons of the
pool are not impaired.
(C)
Construction materials. The construction materials for
any public swimming pool shall be constructed of materials which are inert,
non-toxic to humans, impervious, and capable of withstanding the design
stresses.
(1)
Pool structure. The public swimming pool structure shall be an impervious water
tight tank with cleanable surfaces.
(a)
Vinyl liners shall not be used as the primary or
initial construction material on new public swimming pools to ensure the public
swimming pool is impervious.
(b)
The interior
surfaces of public swimming pools shall be painted white unless the color is
approved by the director.
(i)
Lane lines shall not exceed twelve inches wide unless
painted in accordance with the applicable competitive standard.
(ii)
Logos applied to the bottom of a public swimming pool must be submitted to the
director for approval prior to their application on the public swimming pool
surface.
(2)
Piping. All
piping shall be rigid PVC meeting ASTM F441/F441M-99 or equivalent and
replacement pipe shall be of equal or greater size.
(D)
Approved water
supply. The water supply to a public swimming pool shall meet the applicable
drinking water quality standards of Chapter 3745-81 or Chapter 3701-28 of the
Administrative Code.
(E)
Cross-connection control. The water supply system of a
public swimming pool shall be protected against cross-connection in accordance
with Chapter 3745-95 and Section 608 of the Ohio Plumbing Code, rule
4101:3-6-01 of the
Administrative Code.
(1)
Pool drainage. The discharge of any water from a
public swimming pool shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Ohio
environmental protection agency.
(a)
The licensee shall have on site the equipment
necessary for complete removal of the water from a public spa.
(2)
Backwash and drainage sumps. An adequately sized floor sump or oversized
drainage standpipe shall be provided with an air gap to receive back wash and
public swimming pool drainage flow. The sump or standpipe shall discharge to a
sanitary sewer unless otherwise approved by the Ohio environmental protection
agency. Cartridge filters are not required to drain into a sanitary sewer but
if they do an air gap is required.
(3)
Standing water.
Floor areas shall be designed to provide drainage to a floor drain or a sump to
avoid any possible drainage into open filters or pump pits and to prevent the
accumulation of any standing water in the vicinity of electrical equipment and
other areas.
(4)
Condensate. Condensate water from dehumidifiers, air
conditioning, or other air handling equipment shall not be added to public
swimming pool water.
(F)
Circulation
system and components. Each public swimming pool shall have a circulation
system as defined in paragraph (C) of rule
3701-31-01 of the Administrative
Code and other necessary equipment that the director or the licensor, as
applicable depending upon whether licensure or plan approval is at issue,
determines can clarify and disinfect the water of the public swimming pool
adequately.
(1)
Turnover rates. The circulation system for a public
swimming pool shall be designed to operate continuously. Water in a public
swimming pool shall be circulated and filtered completely in accordance with
the following turnover rates, as applicable, or as allowed by the licensor for
existing public swimming pools:
(a)
For public swimming pools at least once every eight
hours.
(b)
For wading pools at least once every two hours.
(c)
For
spas at least once every thirty minutes.
(d)
Turnover rates
for special use pools shall be as follows:
(i)
For spray
grounds the circulation turnover rate within the mixing holding tank shall be
no more than thirty minutes.
(ii)
For special use
pools of twenty-four inches or less in average depth, the turnover rate shall
be at least every two hours.
(iii)
For special
use pools between twenty-four and thirty-six inches in depth, the turnover rate
shall be at least every three hours.
(iv)
For special use
pools of more than thirty-six inches average depth, the turnover rate shall be
at least every four hours. When less than twenty per cent of a public swimming
pool's surface area is devoted to special feature use, the turnover rate shall
be at least every five hours.
(e)
When reviewing
the plans the director may require a shorter turnover rate than the applicable
rate prescribed in paragraph (F)(1) of this rule.
(2)
Flow measuring
devices. A means of determining rate-of-flow shall be properly installed and
maintained on all public swimming pools, special features and jet pumps so that
the rate of flow can be accurately determined and easily observed. One of the
following methods to measure flow shall be used:
(a)
A flow meter;
or
(b)
A pump curve specific for the pump and impellor. The
pump curve shall be conspicuously posted in the filter room and shall be marked
up to display the formula or means for calculating the gauge readings into the
total dynamic head (TDH) and the flow in gallons per minute (gpm).
A functional compound gauge shall be
installed on the suction side of the pump, at or near the hair and lint
strainer. A functional pressure gauge shall be installed on the pressure side
of a pump, at or near the impellor housing;
(3)
Throttle valves.
Throttle valves may be installed to control the circulation turnover rate in
paragraph (F)(1) of this rule and/or the design flow for special feature pumps.
The throttle valve shall be tagged to denote the maximum and minimum allowable
flow.
(4)
Pumps. Pumps shall be installed to operate according
to the intended design of the public swimming pool or special feature.
(a)
All replacement
components shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications.
(b)
A circulation pump shall be capable of providing one
hundred ten per cent of the minimum required flow in paragraph (F)(1) of this
rule.
(c)
A hair and lint strainer shall be provided for all
circulation pumps, except for vacuum diatomaceous earth (DE) filters.
(5)
Filters. Filters shall be installed to operate
according to the intended design of the public swimming pool and at one hundred
ten per cent of the required turnover rates in paragraph (F)(1) of this
rule.
A pressure or vacuum gauge or gauges,
appropriate to the type of filter, shall be provided.
(6)
Disinfection and
chemical reagent feeders. Disinfection feeders shall provide the minimum
disinfection required in rule (D)(6) of paragraph 3701-31-04 of the
Administrative Code. pH feeders shall be able to maintain the pH level of the
water as required in paragraph (C)(2) of rule
3701-31-04 of the Administrative
Code
(7)
Automatic chemical controllers. Automatic chemical
controllers shall comply with the requirements in paragraph (D)(7) of rule
3701-31-04 of the Administrative
Code. All installations of automatic chemical controllers shall be accompanied
with the installation of pH adjustment equipment.
(8)
Return inlets.
All public swimming pools shall have return inlets that are adequate in design,
number and location to ensure effective distribution of treated water and
maintenance of uniform disinfectant residual throughout the public swimming
pool.
(9)
Overflow systems. All public swimming pools shall have
a functional overflow system to skim the surface of the water to remove
floating debris. The overflow system shall include adequate surge capacity to
maintain the water level of the public swimming pool. Modulation valves or
equivalent shall be installed on all surge capacity tanks. Any alteration to an
overflow system is considered a substantial alteration and shall be submitted
for plan review. All public swimming pools shall have one of the following
overflow systems as appropriate to the design of the public swimming
pool:
(a)
A
gutter system that shall extend completely around the perimeter of the public
swimming pool and be designed for continuous removal of water from the public
swimming pool's upper surface at a rate of not less than one hundred per cent
of the circulation flow. The gutter system shall include the following
components:
(i)
Outlets;
(ii)
Drop boxes, or
converters as appropriate; and
(iii)
Return piping
designed to handle one hundred per cent of the circulation rate without back up
into the public swimming pool.
(b)
A skimmer system
which shall be limited to public swimming pools with widths of fifty feet or
less at the narrowest point, except that bottom inlets shall be installed in
public swimming pools with widths between forty and fifty feet.
At least one skimmer shall be provided
for every five hundred square feet of surface area or fraction thereof. The
skimmers shall be equipped with control valves and located so as to provide
effective skimming of the entire water surface.
(10)
Outlets. All main drain/suction outlets shall have boxes/sumps compliant with
ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-2007. Outlets shall be one of the following:
(a)
Gravity flow:
or
(b)
Direct suction. All public swimming pools, spa jets,
water slides, and water attractions designed for direct suction shall
have:
(i)
At
least two outlets, or
(ii)
An unblockable outlet.
(11)
Outlet covers. All outlet systems shall have outlet covers that meet ANSI/ASME
A112.19.8-2007.
(a)
All field fabricated outlet boxes/sumps and covers
shall be certified by a professional engineer registered in Ohio that they are
in compliance with ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-2007.
(b)
Unblockable
outlet cover that is greater than eighteen inches by twenty-three inches.
(c)
Each
outlet cover shall have the capacity to handle one hundred percent of the
circulation flow as listed for compliance with ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-2007.
(d)
Suction piping shall be designed to pull equally from an outlet box/sump.
(e)
The
adjacent edges of outlet covers shall be a minimum of three feet apart.
(f)
Outlet covers in any public swimming pool twenty-four inches in depth or less
shall be a minimum of twelve inches by twelve inches in size.
(g)
At least one
outlet shall be located in the deepest area of a public swimming pool. For spa
circulation systems at least one outlet shall be installed on the floor.
(h)
Skimmer equalizer line outlets or other suction outlets, such as pool vacuum
lines shall be fitted with compliant covers.
(i)
All outlet
covers shall be installed in such a way that they cannot be removed without
tools.
(12)
Equipment labels. All equipment shall be used in the
manner intended by the manufacturer. The manufacturer and model number for all
equipment shall either be on the equipment label or on documentation on file.
The following equipment shall have legible and conspicuous labels or other
documentation on file:
(a)
In addition to the manufacturer and model number all
filters shall have the following information:
(i)
The filter area
size in square feet;
(ii)
The filtration rate per the listing agency in
gpm/sf;
(iii)
The maximum allowable filter flow in gpm; and
(iv)
Custom built vacuum diatomaceous earth filters shall provide the date of
construction/installation.
(b)
If a model
number is not on a circulation, jet, fountain, slide or other pump, a serial
number or other identification may be used to distinguish each unit;
(c)
The
chemical feed rate shall also be provided;
(d)
Automatic
chemical controllers;
(e)
All skimmers, filters and disinfectant feeders shall
be approved and listed by national sanitation foundation (NSF) or another
organization that approves equipment used for public swimming pools;
(f)
Outlet covers. The required information may be kept on file; and
(g)
Slides and other special features.
(13)
Restricted
access. All such equipment shall be enclosed in such a manner as to be
accessible only to authorized persons and not to bathers.
(G)
Water
depths. The depths of all public swimming pools shall be as follows:
(1)
Public swimming
pool. From the effective date of this rule, the minimum depth of a public
swimming pool shall not be less than thirty-six inches (except for wading
pools, zero depth entry areas and ramps less than six feet wide).
(2)
Spa.
The maximum water depth shall be four feet.
(3)
Wading pool. The
maximum water depth shall be twenty-four inches.
(H)
Depth markers,
deck warnings and signs. Depth markers, deck warnings, and other signs shall be
installed as follows:
(1)
Depth markers/deck warnings.
(a)
The depth of
water at a public swimming pool shall be marked at:
(i)
Maximum and
minimum points; and
(ii)
The points of break between the deep and shallow
portions of a public swimming pool and at intermediate points.
(b)
Special use pools with zero depth entrances shall have the entrance marked
"Zero Depth", zero feet or zero inches.
(c)
"No diving"
signs are required every twenty-five feet along the perimeter at shallow areas
of public swimming pools.
(i)
An equivalent pictorial sign or tile may be
provided.
(ii)
"No diving" signs are not required at wading pools,
spas or spray grounds.
(d)
Deck markers
shall not be spaced more than twenty-five feet apart as measured along the
perimeter wall of a public swimming pool and shall be placed:
(i)
On top of the
deck; and
(ii)
Within two feet of the water's edge or within six
inches of the back of the gutter;
(e)
Depth markers
shall reflect the water depth to the nearest six inch or one-half foot
increment.
(f)
Depth marking numerals shall be plainly marked, at
least four inches in size and of a color that contrasts with the
background.
(g)
The units of measure to denote the water depth shall
be spelled out in feet and inches and may be abbreviated as: ft or in.
(i)
If tiles are
used, the unit of measure may be in smaller letters (one and one quarter inches
minimum) located in the upper right portion of the tile.
(h)
All deck markings shall have slip resistant
surfaces.
(i)
A minimum of two depth markings per public spa, wading
pool or zero entry pool shall be provided;
(I)
Pool
walls and floors. The walls and floors of public swimming pools and special use
pools shall comply with the following requirements:
(1)
Pool sidewall
slope. The walls of a public swimming pool shall not slope more than one
horizontal to five vertical (eleven degrees from vertical) for at least three
feet below the water level, below which the walls may either curve to the
bottom with a radius not greater than the difference between the depth at that
point and three feet, or be sloped.
For public swimming pools less than six
feet deep, the walls shall slope no more than two horizontal to five vertical
(twenty-two degrees from vertical).
(2)
Floor slope. The
floor in the shallow end of all public swimming pools shall not slope more than
ten horizontal to one vertical.
For wading pools and zero depth entry
areas, the floor shall not slope more than twelve horizontal to one
vertical.
(J)
Ingress/egress
at new or altered pools. Newly constructed or substantially altered public
swimming pools shall have a means of ingress and egress as follows:
(1)
Recessed steps,
ladders or stairs all with handrails at the following locations:
(a)
At the shallow
and deep ends of the public swimming pool; and
(b)
On both sides of
the public swimming pool when the public swimming pool is greater than thirty
feet wide and every seventy-five linear feet.
(2)
Alternate entry.
Zero depth entry may be provided as alternate entry;
(3)
Hand rail
placement. The edge of hand rails shall extend over the water to within
eighteen inches of the vertical plane of the bottom step's riser;
(4)
Stairs. Stairs shall be uniform in design, as follows:
(a)
Risers shall be
not more than twelve inches;
(b)
Treads shall be
greater than or equal to eleven inches; and
(c)
Tread widths
shall be greater than or equal to twenty-four inches.
(5)
Ramps. Ramps or any other means of ingress or egress furnished in public
swimming pools shall be accessible to physically handicapped or disabled
individuals and shall comply with
public
law 101-336, 28 CFR parts 35 and 36, known as the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. Any access ramp shall
enter into the shallow end of a public swimming pool.
(K)
Diving areas. The following requirements apply to all public swimming pools
with diving areas and equipment or to existing public swimming pools when
substantial alterations are made to the diving area.
(1)
Competition
diving hoppers and diving equipment. Diving areas and equipment shall comply
with the requirements in this rule and with the design standards of the
"Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur, "the "National Collegiate
Athletic Association," the "United States Diving Incorporated" or for high
schools, the "National Federation of State High School Associations." The
design standards may be obtained by contacting the organizations listed in
appendix A to this rule.
All diving stands, boards shall be of
substantial construction and of sufficient structural strength to safely carry
the maximum anticipated loads with the following requirements:
(a)
Steps shall be
of corrosion-resistant materials, easily cleanable and of non-slip design. Step
treads shall be self-draining.
(b)
Handrails/side
rails shall be provided at all steps and ladders leading to diving boards more
than one meter above the water.
(c)
Platforms and
diving boards which are one meter high or higher shall be protected with hand
rails/side rails as recommended by the manufacturer which, at a minimum, extend
horizontally to the edge of the water.
(d)
Equipment shall
be installed per manufacturer specifications.
(L)
Starting platforms/blocks. Starting blocks shall be appropriately designed for
their intended purpose.
Water depth. The water depth shall be
at least five feet at a point one foot from the end wall to at least four feet
at a point five inches from the end wall.
(M)
Decks. The decks
for all public swimming pools shall be as follows:
(1)
Construction.
Decking shall have surfaces that are easily cleanable, non-abrasive but
slip-resistant, impervious, not subject to microbial growth or deterioration
and do not present a hazard to public health or safety.
(a)
Carpet and wood
are not acceptable materials.
(b)
All decks shall
be constructed in accordance with Chapters 3781. and 3791. of the Revised Code
and the rules of the board of building standards.
(2)
Deck width. The
minimum widths of the decks shall be as follows:
(a)
The required
deck width for outdoor public swimming pools shall be at least five feet.
(b)
The
required deck width for indoor public swimming pools shall be at least three
feet.
(c)
There are no minimum deck width requirements for
public spas.
(3)
Edges/coping. The poolside edge of public swimming
decks shall be rounded to prevent injury to patrons.
(a)
Concrete or
brick decks shall be rounded to a minimum of a one-eighth inch radius.
(b)
Public swimming pools without gutters shall provide a safety handhold for
bathers.
(4)
Access. Decking shall be installed around the
perimeter of a public swimming pool to allow foot traffic and emergency access
without any obstructions, as follows:
(a)
No less than
fifty per cent of the public swimming pool's perimeter.
(b)
No more than
twelve consecutive feet in length of the public swimming pool's perimeter shall
be inaccessible by a deck of at least two feet in length that also has access
away from the pool.
(c)
Diving equipment and special feature stairways shall
have at least three feet of deck.
(5)
Drainage. Decks
shall be constructed to provide drainage from the deck and to prevent any
standing water. Decks or surrounding areas of a public swimming pool shall not
drain into the public swimming pool or its circulation system.
(6)
Deck warning
signs/depth markers. Required deck warning signs, depth markers and other signs
shall be in accordance with paragraph (H) of this rule.
(N)
Safety line. A safety line with intermittent floats is required, as
follows:
(1)
The line shall be anchored to the interior wall of the public swimming pool
except as provided in paragraph (E)(2)(c) of rule
3701-31-04 of the Administrative
Code.
(2)
The safety line shall be located one foot toward the
shallow portion of a public swimming pool from the break in slope. If the
design of the public swimming pool prevents this then the line shall be located
at the break in slope.
(3)
A safety line is not required at public swimming pools
with a water depth of five feet or less, spas, wading pools, applicable special
use pools and where there is not a break in the floor slope between the shallow
and deep portions of the pool.
(O)
Perimeter
barriers and components. The licensee shall provide a perimeter fence or
permanent structural barrier to enclose a public swimming pool, or complex of
public swimming pools. The perimeter barrier shall be located in such a manner
as to prevent unauthorized access to the public swimming pool or complex of
public swimming pools.
(1)
Barrier height. The perimeter barrier shall be at
least forty-eight inches in height from the ground to the top of the
fence.
(2)
Self latching, closing and lockable. All gates or
doors in the perimeter barrier shall be lockable, and any gates or doors that
are used for ingress or egress to the public swimming pool by patrons shall be
self-closing and self-latching.
The actuating device for the latching
mechanism shall be at least thirty-eight inches above the ground.
(3)
Unclimbable barrier. The perimeter barrier shall be constructed without
horizontal members on the exterior side that would make the perimeter barrier
easy to climb.
"Horizontal "stringers" or members
used to strengthen the perimeter barrier shall be at least forty-two inches in
height from the ground.
(4)
Barrier gaps. In
no event shall a perimeter barrier be constructed to allow a space equal to or
exceeding four inches regardless of the materials used, the manner of
installation or the amount of deflection within the components.
(5)
Electronic detection. Electronic detection or monitoring devices shall not be
used in place of the required perimeter barrier.
(6)
Wading pool
barriers and components. The licensee of a wading pool shall provide a barrier
around the perimeter of the wading pool. The barrier shall have a minimum
height of thirty-six inches to completely enclose and separate the wading pool
from any public swimming pool that is not a wading pool.
(a)
All gates or
doors in this barrier shall be self-closing and self-latching.
(b)
The barrier
shall be constructed on the inside without horizontal members that would make
it easy to climb.
(P)
Toilet and
bathhouse facilities. The licensee of a public swimming pool shall provide
toilet and bathhouse facilities in accordance with Chapters 3781. and 3791. of
the Revised Code and the rules of the board of building standards.
(Q)
Equipment, chemical and storage areas. The equipment, chemical and storage
areas of a public swimming pool shall be designed as follows:
(1)
Restricted
access. All pumps, filters and other mechanical and electrical equipment, and
the storage areas for chemicals for public swimming pools shall be located in
such a manner as to be accessible only to authorized persons and not to
bathers;
(2)
Adequate space. Adequate floor space shall be provided
to ensure ease of access and maintenance to each piece of equipment and stored
chemicals;
(3)
Lighting. Lighting intensity shall be a minimum of
twenty foot candles on the surface of equipment, controls and switches;
and
(4)
Protective barriers. An effective barrier at least
thirty-six inches high from the floor or a cover shall protect all open filters
or pits.
(R)
Adequate ventilation. All enclosed public swimming
pools, equipment rooms and chemical storage areas shall be ventilated in
accordance with Chapters 3781. and 3791. of the Revised Code and the rules of
the board of building standards.
(1)
Direct drafts. Direct air drafts on swimmers shall be
avoided;
(2)
Condensation. Condensation shall be minimal and in no
case shall it cause damage to building materials.
(3)
Licensed HVAC
contractors. All proposed heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC)
work performed at public swimming pools shall be done by licensed HVAC
contractors in accordance with Chapters 3781. and 3791. of the Revised Code and
the rules of the board of building standards.
(4)
Certificate of
occupancy. Copies of the certificate of occupancy, issued by a local certified
building department or by the department of commerce, division of industrial
compliance and labor, demonstrating that all required inspections and approvals
were obtained, shall be maintained on file at the public swimming pool office
for review by the licensor.
(5)
Documentation
that a problem does not exist. When, in the opinion of the licensor, a
ventilation problem appears to exist within a structure, the licensor may
require written verification from one of the following that a problem does not
exist:
(a)
A
local certified building department;
(b)
A professional
engineer; or
(c)
A licensed HVAC contractor. "Licensed HVAC contractor"
means an individual licensed under section
4740.06 of the Revised
Code.
(S)
Electrical. All
electrical wiring at a public swimming pool and the surrounding area shall be
installed in accordance with Chapters 3781. and 3791. of the Revised Code and
the rules of the board of building standards.
(1)
Licensed
electrical contractors. All electrical work proposed at public swimming pools
shall be done by licensed electrical contractors in accordance with Chapters
3781. and 3791. of the Revised Code and the rules of the board of building
standards.
(2)
Compliance/certificate of occupancy. Copies of the
certificate of occupancy, issued by a local certified building department or by
the department of commerce division of industrial compliance and labor
demonstrating that all required inspections and approvals for the electrical
work were obtained, shall be maintained on file at the public swimming pool
office for review by the licensor.
(3)
Documentation
that a hazard does not exist. When, in the opinion of the licensor, an
electrical hazard may exist, the licensor may contact the local building
authority to have a certified electrical safety inspector provide written
verification that that a hazard does not exist. "Licensed electrical
contractor" means an individual licensed under section
4740.06 of the Revised
Code.
(T)
Pool area/underwater lighting. Sufficient natural or
artificial lighting shall be provided to illuminate the required deck area and
the bottom of all public swimming pools when in use.
(1)
Wading pools and
spas. When wading pools and spas are used at night, the licensee shall provide
adequate area lighting. No underwater lighting is required.
(U)
Special features. Special features at all public swimming pools shall be
installed and disinfected as follows:
(1)
Equipment shall
be installed per manufacturer specifications or as prescribed by this
chapter.
(2)
Special features intended for full exposure to water
shall be designed in such a manner that all water flowing from the special
feature is disinfected prior to return to the attraction. Disinfection may be
accomplished by either all water flow going through the main circulation pump
and disinfection system prior to the special feature, or all water flow to the
water attraction going through a separate pump and disinfection system with an
automatic chemical controller provided on the main public swimming pool
circulation system.
(V)
Slides. All
slides at a public swimming pool shall be installed in the following manner as
applicable:
(1)
Required water depths for slides:
(a)
Kiddee slides
shall only be installed in wading pools.
(b)
Playground
slides shall only be installed in the shallow areas of a public swimming
pool.
(c)
Recreational slides may be installed to enter into
various depths of water as per manufacturer's specifications.
(d)
The depth of
water beneath a water slide that enters the public swimming pool within two
inches of the water level shall not exceed forty-eight inches.
(e)
The depth of
water beneath a water slide that terminates more than two inches above the
water level shall not be less than sixty inches.
(f)
A speed slide
shall be designed for high velocity that will terminate in a straight run out
for deceleration and exit as per manufacturer's specifications.
(2)
The following requirements apply to all slides:
(a)
All slides,
except those attached to play features, shall have visually designated splash
down areas.
(b)
All slides shall have a ladder or steps within the
area for egress.
(c)
Handrails shall be provided at slides more than one
meter above the deck level.
(d)
Platforms more
than one meter above the water level shall be protected with side barriers at
least forty-eight inches high. Pickets or spindles shall offer a gap less than
four inches.
(e)
All water slides shall have a switch easily accessible
to immediately shut-down the slide pump.
(W)
Signs. Warning
signs that are required in accordance with paragraph (E)(3) in rule
3701-31-04 of the Administrative
Code.
(X)
Construction tolerances. The following construction
tolerances are permitted for the dimensional design measurements of a newly
constructed or installed public swimming pool or the portion of a public
swimming pool that has been substantially altered, as set forth on the approved
plans and as required by the applicable provisions of this chapter:
(1)
Overall length,
width and depth in the deep end may vary plus or minus three inches;
(2)
Wall
slopes of public swimming pools may vary a maximum of one degree;
(3)
Diving hopper depths may vary zero to plus three inches. All other hopper
dimensions may vary minus two inches to plus three inches.
(4)
All dimensions
pertaining to steps shall vary no more than plus or minus one inch.
(5)
All
other dimensions may vary plus or minus two inches.
(Y)
The following
design requirements shall apply to spray grounds:
(1)
Spray ground
basic components. A spray ground consists of fountains, sprays, jets or other
special features that drain onto a spray pad. In addition to the spray feature
pumps a circulation system shall be provided consisting of one or more drain
outlets, a mixing-holding tank, except as in paragraph (Y)(2)(a) of this rule,
disinfection equipment, piping, and other necessary equipment that the director
determines can clarify and disinfect the water adequately.
(2)
Dependent spray
grounds. A spray ground shall operate separately from any other public swimming
pool or aquatic attraction, except as part of a
public swimming pool circulation system provided the supply water to the spray
ground is from the circulation system of a licensed public swimming pool or
from the public swimming pool itself. Discharge water from the spray features
shall only be returned to the public swimming pool filtration system for
treatment.
A holding tank may be used as
follows:
(a)
To supply water to the spray features (to avoid "draw
down" provided it does not receive any raw water discharge from the spray
pad;
(b)
To maintain the required disinfection residuals;
(c)
To
adequately circulate the water to prevent "dead spots" that may lead to the
proliferation of pathogens; and
(d)
There shall be
an access cover for cleaning and for collecting samples, as may be
required.
(3)
Independent spray grounds. Spray grounds that operate
independently from a public swimming pool shall have a mixing-holding tank, as
follows:
(a)
The mixing-holding tank capacity shall be at least five times the combined
design flow (gpm) of the spray features to address draw-down and to provide
adequate circulation within the tank;
(b)
The mixing
holding tank shall be designed and installed as one chamber;
(c)
Alterations or
additional spray features shall be approved by the director;
(d)
The circulation
turnover rate within the mixing-holding tank shall be no more than thirty
minutes;
(e)
A "trash trap" or similar method shall be provided to
remove surface debris between the spray pad outlet and the mixing-holding
tank;
(f)
Discharge water from the spray pad shall drain to a
mixing-holding tank;
(g)
The mixing-holding tank shall have one inlet for every
fifteen feet of tank perimeter, but not less than two inlets, to prevent
circulation "dead spots" and the growth of bacteria or other pathogens within
the tank;
Discharge water into the mixing-holding
tank shall be on the opposite side from the treated water returned to the
tank;
(h)
The treated water from the filtration-disinfection
system shall be returned to the mixing-holding tank on the opposite side from
the untreated water and not more than six inches from the tank floor, to
increase circulation within the tank;
(i)
The spray
features supply intake line shall be located as close as possible to the
treated return water inlet from the filter where it enters the mixing tank, and
not more than six inches from the tank floor to increase circulation within the
tank;
(j)
There shall be at least one access panel to allow
service, cleaning and inspection of the entire tank, piping, fixtures and any
equipment inside the mixing-holding tank and for collecting samples as may be
required; and
(k)
There shall be an outlet in the bottom of the mixing
tank to completely drain and clean the tank at least once every one hundred
twenty days;
An automatic water level controller may
be installed on the mixing tank to control the water level provided the
appropriate cross-connection/back flow prevention control devices are
installed.
(4)
Separate
circulation-spray features operations. The circulation (treatment) system and
the special features system shall be separate systems.
(a)
The spray ground
circulation system shall operate continuously twenty-four hours a day during
all parts of the year the spray ground is in use;
(b)
The special
features system(s) shall not operate if the circulation system is not
operating.
(5)
Spray ground disinfection and water quality. A spray
ground shall have a disinfection system and an automatic chemical controller to
monitor and adjust water quality, according to paragraphs (D)(2) and (D)(7) of
rule 3701-31-04 of the Administrative
Code. The disinfection feeder shall provide the minimum disinfection required
in rule (D)(6) of rule
3701-31-04 of the Administrative
Code.
(6)
Spray pad design. The spray pad represents the spray
zone for the special features and collects water to be directed to an outlet as
follows:
(a)
The spray pad shall slope to an outlet with no accumulated standing water above
the level of the outlet. The maximum floor to pad slope will be less than one
inch per foot;
(b)
The spray pad surface shall be slip resistant with no
obstructions that can create a trip or safety hazard; and
(c)
Outlets shall be
flat or installed to prevent a trip hazard.
(7)
Spray ground
special features and fountains. The special features and fountains at spray
grounds shall be designed as follows:
(a)
Special features
for a spray ground shall be limited to fountains or similar attractions;
(b)
When
the special features are not operating water shall automatically drain from the
spray pad;
(c)
Special feature fountains shall either be flush with
the spray pad surface or high enough to be seen to prevent slip, trip or fall
hazards; and
(d)
Spray feature inlets/nozzles shall be designed and
maintained free of safety hazards.
(8)
Walkways/deck.
Each spray ground will have a slip resistant walkway at least five feet in
width around the perimeter of the attraction.
Walkways shall slope away from the
spray pad with a slope not to exceed one quarter inch per foot. For indoor
attractions the walkway shall drain to waste with an indirect connection to the
sanitary sewer per the Ohio building code.
(9)
Warning signs.
Within one year from the effective date of this chapter all spray grounds shall
post the following warning sign using the same or similar language:
"-DO NOT USE POOL WHEN YOU HAVE
DIARRHEA
-WATER IS NOT MEANT FOR DRINKING
-WASH HANDS AFTER USING THE REST ROOM
OR CHANGING DIAPERS
-TAKE REGULAR REST ROOM BREAKS, CHANGE
DIAPERS ONLY IN A REST ROOM"
(a)
Safety
recommendations, as provided by the manufacturer or designer, shall be posted
conspicuously.
Replaces: 3701-31-04, 3701-31- 04.1, 3701-31-05, 3701-31-06,
3701-31-07
