South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-51 - Public Swimming Pools
Section 61-51.D - PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR TYPE "A" AND "B", AND "G" POOLS

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-51.D

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

1. Applicability. Requirements of this section are applicable to all new construction and alterations of existing public swimming pools.

2. Pool Depths.

(a) The depth in the shallow portion must begin at three (3) feet and slope continually toward the deepest point of the pool.
(i) Where a pool is constructed with a maximum depth of five (5) feet, six (6) inches or less, the bottom must slope continually at a maximum of one (1) foot vertical to ten (10) feet horizontal and no lifeline is required.

(ii) Where the maximum pool depth exceeds five (5) feet, six (6) inches there shall be a lifeline between the shallow and the deep end which must be located at a point across the pool one (1) to two (2) feet on the shallow side of the transition point. Where there is no transition point, the lifeline must be at the four (4) foot, six (6) inch depth. The pool must slope continually from shallow end to the slope transition point; and the slope must not exceed one (1) foot vertical to ten (10) feet horizontal.

(b) Lifelines. The lifeline must be made of polyethylene or nylon rope with floats made of soft plastic or cork placed at not more than five (5) foot intervals. The lifeline must be minimum three-fourth (3/4) inches diameter and have floats at least five (5) inches by six (6) inches in size.

(c) Transition Point. Where the maximum pool depth exceeds five (5) feet, six (6) inches a permanent non-slip black or dark color tile stripe must be incorporated in the floor and the walls of the pool to mark the slope transition point. This tile stripe must be a minimum four (4) inches and a maximum six (6) inches wide and located at a point across the pool one (1) to two (2) feet on the shallow side of the transition point. Where there is no change in slope this line must be placed at the four (4) foot, six (6) inch depth.

(d) Zero-Depth Entry Pools. Zero-Depth entry pools are allowed in Type "A" and "B" pools only when a lifeline is placed at the two (2) to three (3) foot depth and a breakline tile stripe meeting the requirements of Section D Paragraph 2(c) is collocated with the lifeline.
(i) In addition to the required number of surface skimmers or perimeter gutter system, Zero-Depth entry pools must have either a gutter/trench with a grate cover installed along the zero depth area at an elevation which allows effective skimming at the trench at all times or two additional skimmers. Each of these additional skimmers must be located on each side of the zero depth entry at a water depth of between six (6) and twelve (12) inches. If the zero depth entry is greater than forty (40) feet in length, a gutter with a grate is required. All gutter designs will require either a collection/surge tank or a trough with a depth of at least twelve (12) inches. All installations that require a gutter must install an auto-fill device.

(e) Diving Boards. At least thirteen (13) feet of unobstructed vertical distance must be maintained above any diving board. This thirteen (13) foot height must extend eight (8) feet to each side and twenty (20) feet ahead of the front end of the board. In case of multiple diving boards, the above vertical distance must be provided for each board. Where diving is permitted, minimum depths of pools and clearances for various pool elements must be as shown in the following diagrams and tables (following Section D(2)(j)). Pool widths must be a minimum of eighteen (18) feet throughout the diving section.

(f) Depths and Clearances. The depths and clearances shown in the chart must be used as the basis for determining the safety features of pools which are not rectangular in shape. Cross-sectional diagrams must be given so that minimum depths and clearances may be determined for pools of non-rectangular shape; a minimum of one (1) longitudinal and one (1) latitudinal cross-sectional diagram must be given for all pools. Where a pool is built to permit diving, but has no diving board installed, diving is permitted only at the point on the deep end where a board would be installed. This point must be marked on the pool coping with the lettering "Diving permitted from this point only." The lettering shall be a minimum of 4"' high and shall be marked on the deck or coping at a maximum of 12"' from the pool edge.

(g) Walls, Ledges, and Islands. All walls must be vertical. No ledges are permitted inside the main pool body. Islands and walkways are allowed inside the main pool body provided that they are above the normal water level and extend to the bottom of the pool floor.

(h) Seats. Seats may be allowed in the shallow portion of the pool in water depths of four (4) feet or less if completely recessed from the main body of the pool. Recessed shall mean thirty six (36) inches back from the main pool body and not contiguous to any steps. The seat shall be eighteen (18) inches wide and eighteen (18) inches shall be for leg room. The maximum water depth over the seat shall not exceed twenty (20) inches. The front edge of the seat must be marked with a black or dark colored, non-slip tile a minimum of two (2) inches wide. A non-slip tile reading "NO STEP" shall be placed on the seat (1 1/2 inch lettering) and correspondingly on the deck (1 1/2 inch lettering) with no more than five (5) feet between signs if the seat is wider than ten (10) feet, otherwise the "NO STEP" sign shall be placed in the middle of the bench.

(i) The depths of the shallow portion of a pool with racing lanes which are intended to be used for lap swimming may be increased to three and one-half (3 1/2) feet or four (4) feet. The racing lanes must be marked in black tile or dark colored tile. This tile shall be non-slip. The tile lanes must be a minimum of six (6) inches wide and a maximum of twelve (12) inches wide.

(j) Construction tolerances shall be within plus or minus (+" or -) three (3) inches of design for overall pool length, width, or depth.

See Image

DEPTH--MINIMUM

Stands & Boards Maximum Height to Water

D-1

D-2

D-3

D-4

D-5

3-Meter Board

6'-0"

4'-6"

12'-6"

12'-0"

12'-0"

1-Meter Board

6'-0"

4'-6"

10'-6"

10'-0"

10'-0"

Deck Level Board (Less than 26")

6'-0"

4'-6"

9'-0"

8'-6"

8'-6"

No Board

6'-0"

4'-6"

8'-6"

8'-0"

8'-0"

No Diving Pool

3'-0"

3'-0"

3'-0"

3'-0"

3'-0"

LENGTH OF Section MINIMUM

Stands & Boards Maximum Height to Water

A

B

C

D

E

3-Meter Board

5'-0"

6'-0"

9'-0"

23'-0"

13'-0"

1-Meter Board

5'-0"

6'-0"

9'-0"

17'-0"

11'-0"

Deck Level Board (Less than 26")

2'-6"

6'-0"

7'-6"

12'-0"

9'-0"

No Board

-

6'-0"

6'-0"

12'-0"

-

No Diving Pool

-

-

-

-

-

D-1 shall be no farther out than a maximum of 15"' from pool wall. Slope of D shall not exceed 1'-0"' vertical to 3'-0"' horizontal. The maximum values of A are 6'-0"' for 1-Meter and 3-Meter boards and 4'-0"' for deck level boards. Clearance above the board must extend the entire length of sections B, C and D. Depth D-5 is measured at midpoint of Section B where a diving board is not provided. Where a diving board is provided D-5 shall be measured from the tip of the board. The minimum distance between the diving well wall on the deep end and any opposite wall shall not be less than six (6) feet greater than the diving bowl dimensions (B, C and D). All diving boards that are placed at a height above water between those listed shall be made to comply with the listing that is greatest, e.g. 34"' board shall comply with the one meter board height above water. Shallower water depths of 3 1/2 feet or 4 feet will be considered for pools with racing lanes that will be used for competitive swimming and diving from stands.

(k) Vanishing edge pools. Any vanishing edge pool that has a drop of eighteen (18) inches or less as measured from the top of the edge to the normal operating level in the receiving trough is not required to have safety netting. If the drop exceeds eighteen (18) inches, the Department may require the installation of safety measures (safety netting, grates, etc.) to prevent injury. Troughs must be designed to deter access and must have appropriate signs (i.e. "Keep Out", "Do Not Enter", etc.) troughs must be provided with appropriately sized main drains and designed to provide skimming action.

DEPTH minimum feet (') and inches (")

Stands and Boards Max to water

D-1

D-2

D-3

D-4

D-5

Three (3) Meter Board

6' 0"

4'6"

12'6"

12'0"

12'0"

One (1) Meter Board

6'0"

4'6"

10'6"

10'0"

10'0"

Deck Level Board [Less than twenty six (26) inches]

6'0"

4'6"

9'0"

8'6"

8'6"

No Board

6'0"

4'6"

8'6"

8'0"

8'0"

No Diving Pool

3'0"

3'0"

3'0"

3'0"

3'0"

LENGTH OF Section minimum

Stands and Boards Max to water

A

B

C

D

E

Three (3) Meter Board

5'0"

6'0"

9'0"

23'0"

13'0"

One (1) Meter Board

5'0"

6'0"

9'0"

17'0"

11'0"

Deck Level Board [Less than twenty six (26) inches]

2'6"

6'0"

7'6"

12'0"

9'0"

No Board

6'0"

6'0"

12'0"

-

-

No Diving Pool

-

-

-

-

-

D-1 shall be no farther out than a maximum of 15"' from pool wall. Slope of D shall not exceed 1'-0"' vertical to 3'-0"' horizontal. The maximum values of A are 6'-0"' for 1-Meter and 3-Meter boards and 4'-0"' for deck level boards. Clearance above the board must extend the entire length of sections B, C and D. Depth D-5 is measured at midpoint of Section B where a diving board is not provided. Where a diving board is provided D-5 shall be measured from the tip of the board. The minimum distance between the diving well wall on the deep end and any opposite wall shall not be less than six (6) feet greater than the diving bowl dimensions (B, C and D). All diving boards that are placed at a height above water between those listed shall be made to comply with the listing that is greatest, e.g. 34"' board shall comply with the one meter board height above water. Shallower water depths of three and one-half (3 1/2) feet or four (4) feet will be considered for pools with racing lanes that will be used for competitive swimming and diving from stands.

3. Diving Towers, Stands, and Sliding Boards. Diving towers in excess of three (3) meters in height are not to be considered as acceptable in a public swimming pool without special provisions, controls and limitations on their use. No sliding boards are allowed in any Type "B" pool. All diving stands (starting blocks) installed at pools with racing lanes must be of the removable type.

4. Recirculation System.

(a) A recirculation system consisting of pumps, motors, piping, filters, inlets, outlets, disinfecting and other water conditioning equipment and necessary accessories must be provided for water purification in accordance with water quality criteria contained herein and must be designed to completely turnover the entire pool volume per the following schedule:
(i) Type "A" six (6) hours

(ii) Type "B" six (6) hours; except Type "B" lazy rivers under sixty-thousand (60,000) gallons which shall have a turnover time of four (4) hours

(b) The recirculation system shall be designed to operate on a twenty-four (24) hour basis. The normal pattern of recirculation developed must be fifty (50) percent flow through the overflow or skimming facilities and fifty (50) percent through the main drains. The recirculation system must be designed with adequate capacity such that one hundred (100) percent of the recirculation flow can pass through the overflow or skimming facilities and one hundred (100) percent through the main drains.

5. Vacuum Lines. No vacuum outlets less than six (6) inches or more than eighteen (18) inches below the normal operating water level will be allowed. The measurement will be from the center of the vacuum outlet fitting to the water surface. If skimmer vacuum attachment is used, this requirement does not apply.

6. Pool Deck. The pool deck must be constructed in accordance with Section C, Paragraph 6.

7. Pool Width. Type "A", "B", and "G" pools must be a minimum of ten (10) feet wide, with the exceptions of alcoves and lazy rivers. Lazy rivers must be a minimum of six (6) feet wide. Alcoves are recessed areas of the pool where seats may be located.

8. Type "G" Pools. Each zone of a type "G" pool must maintain the required turnover rate for it's intended usage type (e.g. a type "C" pool has a 1 hour turnover rate, therefore a kiddie pool zone would require a 1 hour turnover rate). To ensure that this requirement is met, a separate return line must be provided for each zone. Each return line must be provided with a flow meter that meets the requirements or R.61-51.C(18), or other Department-approved method to ensure the required flow rate per zone is maintained.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina 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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