| Types of Facilities: |
242.2 Swimming Pools
Scoping |
At least
two accessible means of entry must be provided for swimming pools.
Primary means must be a pool lift that is capable of being independently
operated by a person with a disability or sloped entry. Secondary means
may be pool lift, sloped entry, transfer wall, transfer system, or
pool stairs. |
| Exception-pools less than
300 lineal feet |
Swimming
pools with less than 300 linear feet of pool wall must provide at
least one accessible means of entry. Means must be pool lift or
sloped entry. |
| Exception-pools with limited access |
Wave action pools, leisure rivers, sand bottom pools, and other pools where user
access is limited to one area must provide at least one accessible means of
entry. Means must be pool lift, sloped entry, or transfer system. |
| Exception-catch pools
|
Catch pools
are bodies of water where water slides drop users into the water. An
accessible means of entry is not required but the pool must be
served by accessible route that connects to the pool edge. |
242.3 Wading Pools
Scoping |
Wading pools must
provide at least one sloped entry. |
242.4 Spas
Scoping |
Spas must provide at least one accessible means of entry.
Means must be pool lift, transfer wall, or transfer system. Footrests
are not required on pool lifts provided at spas but are encouraged,
especially on larger spas where the water depth is 34" or more or where
there is sufficient space. |
|
Exception-spas in
cluster |
Where
spas are provided in cluster, at least 5% in each cluster, or at
least one spa must be accessible. |
|
Types of Accessible Means of Entry: |
1009.2 Pool Lifts
Lift Location |
Lift must be located where water level does not exceed 48 inches. Where entire
pool depth is greater than 48 inches, requirement does not apply. Where multiple pool lift locations are provided, only one is required to be located where water level does not
exceed 48 inches. |
| Seat Location |
In raised (load) position,
centerline of seat must be located over deck and 16 inches minimum
from pool edge. Deck surface between centerline of seat and pool
edge must have slope not greater than 1:48.
Seat backs, headrests,
seat belts and additional leg support are not required but
encouraged to allow the lift to be used independently by more users
with disabilities and to enhance accessibility to a wider variety of
people with disabilities. |
| Clear Deck Space |
On side of seat opposite
water, clear deck space must be provided parallel with seat. Space
must be 36 inches wide minimum and extend forward 48 inches minimum
from a line located 12 inches behind rear edge of seat, to enable a
person to get close enough to the lift seat to easily transfer. Deck
surface must have slope not greater than 1:48. |
| Seat Height |
Lift seat must be designed to stop at 16 inches minimum to 19 inches
maximum measured from deck to seat top when in raised position. |
| Seat Width |
Seat width must be 16 inches minimum. |
| Footrests and Armrests |
Footrests must be
provided and move with seat. Footrests are not required on lifts
provided in spas. If provided, armrests positioned opposite water
must be removable or fold clear of seat when seat in raised position. |
| Operation |
Lift must be capable of
unassisted operation from deck and water levels, although assistance
can be provided if needed. Controls and operating mechanisms must be
unobstructed when lift in use. The operating controls must not require
tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist. Controls may not
require more than five pounds of pressure to operate. |
| Submerged Depth |
Lift must be designed so
that seat submerges to water depth of 18 inches minimum below
stationary water level to ensure buoyancy to make it easier to
enter or exit the lift. |
| Lifting Capacity |
Single person lifts must have minimum weight capacity of 300 lbs.
and be capable of sustaining static load at least one and half times
rated load.
Pool lifts should be provided that meet the needs
of the population they serve. Providing a lift with a weight capacity
greater than 300 lbs. may be advisable. |
1009.3 Sloped Entries
Accessible Route |
In general, sloped entries must comply with accessible route provisions with a
minimum clear width of 36", a maximum slope of 1:12 and be slip resistant.
Personal wheelchairs may not be appropriate for submerging in
water as batteries, motors and electrical components can be damaged
by submersion and may contaminate the pool water. Providing an aquatic
wheelchair made of non-corrosive materials and designed for water use
can help avoid damage to personal wheelchairs and other mobility aids. |
| Submerged Depth |
Sloped
entries must extend to depth of 24 inches minimum to 30 inches
maximum below stationary water level to ensure buoyancy. At least one
landing must be located 24 inches to 30 inches maximum below stationary
water level. In wading pools, sloped entry and landings must extend to
deepest part of pool. Per Section 405.7, ramps shall have landings at the
top and the bottom of each ramp run and landing clear width shall be at
least as wide as the ramp run and 60" in clear length. |
| Handrails |
Handrails
must be provided on both sides of sloped entry. Clear width between
handrails must be 33 inches minimum and 38 inches maximum. Handrail
extensions are required at the top landing but not at bottom landing.
Clear width between handrails does not apply to wave action pools,
leisure rivers, sand bottom pools, and other pools where user access
is limited to one area. Handrail requirements do not apply to wading
pools. Per Section 505, handrail height must be between 34" and 38"
to the top of the gripping surface. Gripping surfaces with a circular
cross section must have an outside diameter of 1 1/4" minimum to 2"
maximum. Gripping surface must also be continuous along the length of
the rail and not obstructed along the top or sides, free of sharp or
abrasive elements with rounded edges and non-rotating. Clearance
between gripping surfaces and adjacent surfaces must be least 1 1/2". |
1009.4 Transfer Walls
Clear Deck Space |
A transfer wall runs along an
accessible route that allows a person to transfer on from a mobility
device to the wall and then into the pool. Clear deck space must be
provided at base of transfer wall. Space must be 60 inches minimum by
60 inches minimum. Space must have slope not greater than 1:48. Where
one grab bar is provided, space must be centered on grab bar. Where
two grab bars provided, space must be centered on the clearance
between bars. |
| Height |
Transfer wall height must
be 16 inches minimum to 19 inches maximum measured from deck. |
| Wall Depth and Length |
Transfer wall width must
be 12 inches minimum to 16 inches maximum to provide enough space
for a person to sit comfortably on the wall and pivot to access
the pool. Transfer wall length must be 60 inches minimum and
centered on clear deck space. |
| Surface |
Transfer wall surfaces
must have rounded edges and not be sharp to prevent injury. |
| Grab Bars |
At least one grab bar must be provided on transfer wall. Grab bars must be
perpendicular to pool wall and extend full depth of transfer wall. Top of
gripping surface must be 4 inches minimum and 6 inches maximum above transfer
wall. Where one grab bar is provided, clearance must be 24 inches minimum on both
sides of grab bar. Where two grab bars are provided, clearance must be 24 inches
minimum between grab bars. Per Section 609, grab bars with a circular cross
section (as they apply to swimming pools) must have an outside diameter of
1 1/4" minimum to 2" maximum. Gripping surface shall be free of sharp or abrasive
elements with rounded edges and non-rotating. |
1009.5 Transfer Systems
Transfer Platform |
A transfer system consists of a transfer platform that users to
transfer from a mobility device and a series of transfer steps that
descend into the water. Transfer platform must be provided at head
of transfer system. Platform must be 19 inches minimum clear depth
by 24 inches minimum clear width to provide the person transferring
enough room to maintain balance and enough space to maneuver on top
of the platform. |
| Clear Deck Space |
Clear deck space must be provided at base of transfer platform. Space must be 60
inches minimum by 60 inches minimum. Space must have slope not greater than
1:48. Space must be centered along 24 inch minimum unobstructed side of platform. |
| Height |
Transfer platform height must be 16 inches minimum to 19 inches maximum measured
from deck. |
| Transfer Steps |
Transfer
step height must be 8 inches maximum, although shorter heights are
recommended. Tread clear depth must be 14 inches minimum and 17
inches maximum; and tread clear width must be 24 inches minimum.
Transfer steps must extend 18 inches minimum below the stationary
water level. |
| Surface |
Transfer system surfaces must have rounded edges and not be sharp. |
| Grab Bars |
At least
one grab bar on each transfer step and transfer platform, or
continuous grab bar serving each transfer step and transfer platform
must be provided and must not obstruct transfer onto the platform.
Where a grab bar is provided with each step, the top of gripping
surface must be 4 inches minimum and 6 inches maximum above each step
and transfer platform. Where continuous grab bar provided, top of
gripping surface must be 4 inches minimum and 6 inches maximum above
step nosing and transfer platform. Grab bars must be located on at
least one side of transfer system. Grab bar located at transfer
platform must not obstruct transfer. Per Section 609, grab bars with
a circular cross section (as they apply to swimming pools) must have
an outside diameter of 1 1/4" minimum to 2" maximum. Gripping surface
shall be free of sharp or abrasive elements with rounded edges and non-rotating.
|
1009.6 Pool Stairs
General |
Accessible pool stairs are
designed to provide assistance with balance and support in a standing
position when entering or exiting a pool. Per Section 504,stairs must
have steps that all have uniform riser height, uniform tread width of
not less than 11" measured from riser to riser and a slope of less
than 1:48. The radius of curvature at the leading edge of each tread
shall be a maximum of 1/2". Open risers are not permitted. Stairs and
landings subject to wet conditions shall be designed to prevent the
accumulation of water. |
| Handrails |
Width between handrails must be 20
inches minimum and 24 inches maximum and is intended to provide support to
persons with disabilities who are ambulatory. Handrail extensions are not
required at bottom landing serving pool stairs. Per Section 505, handrail
height must be between 34" and 38" to the top of the gripping surface.
Gripping surface with a circular cross section must have an outside diameter of 1 1/4" minimum to 2" maximum.
Gripping surface must also be continuous along the length of the rail and
not obstructed along the top or sides, free of sharp or abrasive elements
with rounded edges and non-rotating. Clearance between gripping surfaces
and adjacent surfaces must be least 1 1/2". |
1008.2.3 Water Play Components
General |
Where water play components provided, play area requirements
and accessible route requirements apply |
| Exception-Cross Slope, Running Slope, Surface Requirements |
Where surface of accessible route, clear floor or ground spaces, and maneuvering
spaces serving water play components is submerged in water, play area and
accessible route requirements for cross slope, running slope, and surface
requirements do not apply. |
| Exception-Transfer Systems |
Transfer systems permitted to be used in lieu of ramps to connect elevated play
components. |
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