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. |
