Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) Access.
Entrances and exits, including hand and grab rails, walkways, and docks, shall
comply with applicable requirements for access to recreation facilities and the
elements for persons with disabilities under federal, state, and local fair
housing and disability access laws.
(b) Decks for lagoons. The following is
required where decks are provided for lagoons:
(1) Each deck shall be at least five feet
wide.
(2) A deck shall be provided
at each entry or exit into the swimming areas.
(3) An unobstructed deck area at least four
feet wide shall be provided for access around:
(A) diving equipment;
(B) special feature stairways, such as for a
waterslide;
(C) lifeguard
stands;
(D) diving
boards;
(E) similar deck equipment;
and
(F) structural
columns.
(4) In a
swimming area or in a surf lagoon where perimeter deck is non-contiguous and
the clearance is not at least four feet, locations for lifeguards to safely
access the edge of the lagoon are required.
(5) A deck shall slope away from the lagoon
so that water drains into deck drains or to perimeter areas.
(6) A deck drain shall not drain to the
lagoon, lagoon gutter, or recirculation systems.
(7) Loose plant material or bedding shall not
be permitted within a perimeter deck.
(8) Carpet, wood, and artificial turf are
prohibited as perimeter deck materials.
(9) Concrete that is used as a deck material
shall be installed in accordance with the American Concrete Institute ACI
Standard 302.1R-15, "Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction" or in
accordance with the requirements established by the licensed engineer, and in
accordance with local building codes.
(10) All decks shall have slip resistant,
textured finishes that have a minimum dynamic coefficient of friction at least
equal to the requirements of ANSI A137.1-2012 for that installation as measured
by the DCOF AcuTest or by the Australian Standard AS 4663-2013.
(11) Continuous watertight expansion joint
material shall be provided between perimeter decks and lagoon coping.
(12) Open joints or gaps larger than
3/16-inch or vertical elevations exceeding 1/4-inch in the deck shall be
corrected using appropriate fillers.
(c) Acceptable means of entry or exit.
Acceptable means of entry or exit include stairs, recessed steps, ladders,
ramps, swimouts, lifts, and beach (zero-depth) entry or exit. Access to a surf
lagoon shall be at the shallow or beach entry end with the exception of an
allowable Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) designated entry
point.
(d) Number of entry or exit
points. A minimum of two entry or exit points are required in each swimming
area. A single set of entry or exit steps or a single beach entry extending a
minimum of 75% around the perimeter of the swimming area meets the minimum
entry or exit requirements.
(e)
Beach entry slope. Beach entry slopes shall not exceed 1:10.
(f) Slip resistant surfaces. Steps, ladders,
and recessed treads shall have slip resistant surfaces.
(g) Steps. For a lagoon constructed on or
after the effective date of this subchapter, steps shall comply with the
following:
(1) Steps shall conform with the
most recent edition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Model
Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) in MAHC Sections 4.5.4.5, MAHC Table 4.5.4.5, MAHC
Figure 4.5.4.5.1, Figure 4.5.4.5.2, and Figure 4.5.4.5.2.
(2) The bottom riser height may be allowed to
taper to zero.
(3) Underwater steps
shall be provided with a horizontal solid or broken stripe at least one-inch
wide on the top surface along the front leading edge of each step. This stripe
shall be plainly visible to persons standing above the steps. The stripe shall
be a contrasting color to the background on which it is applied, and the color
shall be permanent in nature and shall be a slip resistant surface.
(h) Handrails. A lagoon shall
comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements for access by
persons with disabilities.
(1) Handrails, if
removable, shall be installed in such a way that they cannot be removed without
the use of tools.
(2) Handrails
shall be provided for each set of stairs provided in a lagoon constructed on or
after the effective date of this subchapter and shall be constructed of
corrosion-resistant materials, bonded in accordance with the National
Electrical Code, and anchored securely.
(3) The upper railing surface of handrails
shall extend above the deck or at the interface of the water and
beach.
(4) Dimensions of handrails
not for use by persons with disabilities shall conform to requirements in the
most current edition of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Model
Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) in MAHC Table 4.5.5.7 and MAHC Figure
4.5.5.7.1.
(i) Floating
platforms.
(1) A floating swim platform or
floating dive platform shall:
(A) be
constructed of a non-slip and splinter-resistant material that can be easily
cleaned;
(B) have at least one
ladder with handles and steps that extend at least 30 inches below water
level;
(C) be anchored or secured
to keep it in its designated area if a floating platform; and
(D) minimize the risk of entrapment by being
constructed with:
(i) all braces and struts
designed to prevent entrapment of users; and either
(ii) a visible minimum 12-inch air space
under maximum load; or
(iii) a
smooth solid bottom that extends at least 2 feet below the water.
(2) A floating platform
with a perimeter greater than 75 feet shall have a minimum of two ladders with
handles and steps that extend at least 30 inches below the water
level.
(3) A floating dive platform
less than 20 inches above the water level shall have a minimum of 9 feet of
water depth for 16 feet horizontal distance beyond the diving
platform.
(4) A floating dive
platform greater than 20 inches above the water level shall be designed and
constructed according to minimum dimensions specified by the FINA Facilities
Rules, 2017-2021.
(j)
Slides and other aquatic play features.
(1) A
slide or other aquatic play feature, such as a climbing wall, floating
amusement island, or zip line, shall be installed according to manufacturer's
instructions or in accordance with the licensed engineer's
specifications.
(2) An aquatic play
feature that meets the definition of "Amusement Ride" in Texas Occupations
Code, Chapter 2151 (the Amusement Ride Safety Inspection and Insurance Act)
shall comply with that chapter.
(3)
A feature that meets the definition of a "slide" in the Consumer Product Safety
Commission's Standard for Swimming Pool Slides as published in Title 16 Code of
Federal Regulations, Part 1207, shall comply with those standards.
(k) Diving platforms or boards. A
diving platform or diving board shall be designed and constructed according to
standards specified by the FINA Rules, 2017-2021.
