Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: To correct internal cross-reference errors in several sections of chapter 246-260 WAC, Water recreation facilities.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 246-260-031, 246-260-041, 246-260-061, 246-260-091, 246-260-131, and 246-260-171.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 70.90.120.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 05-03-057 on January 11, 2005.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 6, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 6, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: April 6, 2005.

Mary C. Selecky

Secretary

OTS-7573.4

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-18-096, filed 9/1/04, effective 10/31/04)

WAC 246-260-031   General design, construction, and equipment for all WRF pool facilities.   (See additional design and construction requirements for swimming pools in WAC 246-260-041, for spa pools in WAC 246-260-051 and 246-260-061, for wading pools in WAC 246-260-071, for spray pools in WAC 246-260-081 and for specialty design conditions in WAC 246-260-091. See chapter 246-262 WAC for specific requirements for water park type features.)

     (1) Location: Owners shall locate pools to minimize surface drainage and other potential sources of pollution from entering the pool.

     (2) Materials: Owners shall use only structure and equipment materials that are nontoxic, durable, inert, and easily cleanable.

     (3) Walking surfaces: Owners shall design and maintain walking surfaces:

     (a) Sloping away from the pool or pools;

     (b) Sloping a minimum of one-fourth inch per foot to drain;

     (c) Having a nonslip finish;

     (d) Not having an abrupt change in height of greater than one-half inch, a gap no greater than one-half inch in width, or a crumbling surface presenting a potential tripping hazard;

     (e) Equipped with sufficient drains to prevent standing water; and

     (f) Of easily cleanable, impervious finishes.

     (4) Barriers for new construction and remodeling:

     (a) Owners shall provide barriers to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to pools. Spray pool facilities without standing water are exempt from barrier requirements of this section.

     (b) Barriers at limited use pools must be at least sixty inches high.

     (c) Barriers at general use pools must be at least seventy-two inches high.

     (d) Barriers, including windows, (see figures 031.1 and 031.2) may not:

     (i) Allow passage of a four-inch diameter sphere; or

     (ii) Have spaces between vertical members greater than a width of one and three-quarter inches if the distance between the tops of horizontal members are spaced less than forty-five inches apart.

     (e) Solid barriers may not have indentations or protrusions, other than normal construction tolerances and masonry joints.

     (f) Barriers must have self-closing, self-latching gates or doors that provide either:

     (i) A mechanism that uses a continuously locked latch, coded lock or other equivalent access control system that always requires a key or code to enter pool area. If the latch is less than sixty inches from the ground, the barrier must have an eighteen-inch radius of solid material around the latch (see figure 031.2) to preclude a child on the outside of the barrier from reaching through the gate or barrier and opening the latch and entering the pool; or

     (ii) A latch height of sixty inches or more from the ground.

     (g) Restricted area service entrances are exempt from door or gate requirements provided that no public access is available.

     (h) Lifeguarded pools are not required to have a self-closing, self-latching gate during the period a pool is in use. Facility gates shall be closed and locked during nonuse periods.

     (i) Barrier heights are measured on the side outside the pool enclosure area. Owners shall ensure that surrounding ground levels, structures, or landscaping do not reduce the effective height of the barrier.

     (5) Barriers for existing facilities: Before June 1, 2008, owners shall provide barriers for all pools conforming with subsection (4) of this section. Barrier modifications made prior to the compliance deadlines shall meet the requirements in subsection (4) of this section, at the time the modifications are made.

     (6) Pool surface: Owners shall ensure pool surfaces are constructed and maintained to:

     (a) Have white or light color finish;

     (b) Not cause cutting, pinching, puncturing, entanglement, or abrasion hazard under casual contact; and

     (c) Conform to ANSI/NSPI-1 2003 Standards for Public Swimming Pools or ANSI Standard NSPI-@-1999, American National Standard for Public Spas.

     (7) Inlets: Owners shall provide pool inlets that are:

     (a) Submerged;

     (b) Located to produce uniform water and chemical circulation throughout the pool; and

     (c) Located on the bottom of swimming and wading pools over twenty-five hundred square feet and spa pools greater than ten thousand gallons.

     (8) Outlets:

     (a) Owners shall provide pool outlets with:

     (i) Overflow and main drain grating systems each designed to carry one hundred percent of the total recirculation filter flow;

     (ii) Main drain piping systems designed to carry one hundred percent or more of total recirculation filter flow when a single pump is used or fifty percent or more of total recirculation filter flow when multiple pumps are used; and

     (iii) Valving on main drain piping designed to provide required flow.

     (b) Owners shall ensure that overflow outlets maintain a minimum of sixty percent of filter recirculation flow at all times.

     (c) Overflow outlets must consist of an overflow channel on the perimeter of swimming pools twenty-five hundred square feet or more and spa pools ten thousand gallons or more, to promote uniform circulation and skimming action of the upper water layer with:

     (i) A design preventing all matter entering the channel from returning to the pool;

     (ii) Dimensions minimizing the hazard for bathers, such as catching arms or feet;

     (iii) One one-hundredth of a foot slope per foot or more. However, adequate hydraulic justification from a designer to ensure the overflow system will meet (c)(v) of this subsection may be provided as an alternative;

     (iv) Drains sufficiently spaced and sized to collect and remove overflow water to return line and filter, where applicable; and

     (v) Size sufficient to carry one hundred percent of the recirculation flow plus the surge flow without flooding the overflow channel.

     (d) Overflow outlets must consist of skimmers or overflow channels for pools less than twenty-five hundred square feet, or for spas under 10,000 gallons.

     (i) Weirs provided in skimmers must have a normal operation flow rate of three to five gpm per inch of weir;

     (ii) Skimmer equipment must be recessed in the pool wall so no part protrudes beyond the plane of the wall into the pool;

     (iii) Skimmers must be equipped with a device, such as an equalizer line, to prevent air lock in the recirculation suction line. If equalizer lines are used, they must be protected with grates listed by IAPMO or UL;

     (iv) Skimmers must be equipped with a removable and cleanable screen designed to trap large solids;

     (v) Skimmers shall operate continuously with a minimum displacement rate of fifteen gallons per bather in swimming pools, twenty gallons in spa pools, and seven gallons in wading pools.

     (e) Main drains in all pools must:

     (i) Be located at swimming and wading pool low points;

     (ii) Consist of two or more main drains for any pumped water recirculating system designed;

     (A) Piping must be manifolded to assure the water pumps from both main drains simultaneously so that no single drain could be the sole source of suction;

     (B) Drains must be spaced at least three feet apart or as far as practical in small spa pools. If a pool uses more than two main drains with a pump, the design must distribute flow so that no single drain could be the primary source of suction;

     (C) Piping must be designed so velocity in piping assuming one hundred percent of the pump recirculation flow does not exceed six fps up to the main drain outlet box.

     (iii) Have grates on drains with maximum flow of one and one-half feet per second or net outlet area four times or greater than the discharge pipe;

     (iv) Have openings that prevent a sphere greater than one-half inch in diameter passing;

     (v) Have mechanically fastened grates designed to withstand the force of users;

     (vi) Have the total open area of grates sized to prevent a suction or entrapment hazard dangerous to user; and

     (vii) For spa pools, have a design listed by IAPMO or UL to aid in preventing hair entrapment, if the main drains are located on vertical walls of the spas.

     (9) Pumps: Owners shall provide and maintain recirculation pumps with adequate capacity to provide design flows for the entire operating and backwash cycles of the filter.

     (10) Strainers: Owners shall provide hair and lint strainers for pumps that precede filters.

     (11) Pool appurtenances:

     (a) Owners shall ensure pools have:

     (i) Handholds when the pool deck is greater than twelve inches above the water surface;

     (ii) Stairs leading into spa pools;

     (iii) Step risers on the exterior of the spa pool shall conform with UBC requirements for risers with nonslip tread finishes, when spas are elevated off the pool floor; and

     (iv) Stairs, ladders, or stepholes for access at the shallow end of swimming pools.

     (b) Owners shall ensure that stairs, when provided, meet the following construction requirements:

     (i) Nonslip tread finish;

     (ii) Contrasting color stair tread edges;

     (iii) Placement recessed into the side of pools specifically designed for lap or competitive swimming;

     (iv) Handrail having leading edges less than eighteen inches beyond and less than eight inches inside (horizontally) the vertical plane of the bottom riser;

     (v) Each riser tread shall have a minimum unobstructed, tread depth of ten inches and minimum surface area each of two hundred forty inches;

     (vi) Uniform riser heights of seven and one-half inches or less on general use swim pools fifteen hundred square feet or more and spa pools greater than forty feet in perimeter, except the bottom riser may be less than the uniform height; and

     (vii) Uniform riser heights of ten inches or less for all other pools, except the bottom riser may be plus or minus two inches of the uniform height.

     (c) Ladders or stepholes at swimming pools shall be:

     (i) Spaced at a minimum of one for every seventy-five feet of swimming pool perimeter deeper than four feet;

     (ii) Provided at both sides of the deep end of swim pools over thirty feet in width; and

     (iii) Equipped with handrails.

     (12) Valves: Owners shall provide valves to allow isolation and maintenance of equipment.

     (13) Balancing tanks: Owners shall provide balancing tanks for pools designed with overflow channels. Balancing tanks must be of adequate size to prevent air lock in the pump suction line and have sufficient capacity to prevent flooding of the overflow channel.

     (14) Equipment and chemical storage rooms: Owners shall provide enclosed, locked, lighted, vented rooms for mechanical equipment, with floors sloped to a floor drain and minimum access area three feet wide around equipment. Owners shall provide a separate chemical storage area or room that conforms to manufacturer's requirements for each chemical used in the pool area.

     (15) Make-up water: Owners shall ensure an adequate supply of make-up water with associated piping, for each pool:

     (a) Sufficient to replace daily pool losses;

     (b) From a supply conforming to chapter 246-290 WAC;

     (c) Without cross connections; and

     (d) If using a pool fill spout, the spout may not project greater than one inch into the space above the water surface and shall be shielded so as not to create a deck hazard.

     (16) Filters:

     (a) Owners shall equip pools with filtration equipment:

     (i) Meeting the applicable standards of NSF (for commercial application) or equivalent;

     (ii) With a rate of flow indicator and gauge(s) for monitoring backpressure on filter;

     (iii) With a means of discharging filter backwash to waste with a sight glass in a manner not creating a cross connection or a public nuisance;

     (iv) With a means to release air entering the filter tank for pressure filters.

     (b) If cartridge filters are used, owners shall always possess an extra set of cartridges and may not use cartridge filters with bypass valves.

     (17) Disinfection equipment:

     (a) Owners shall provide disinfection equipment:

     (i) Providing a continuous and effective disinfectant residual;

     (ii) Using a disinfectant with an easily monitored residual;

     (iii) Having a design feed rate providing effective disinfection levels for peak demand conditions; and

     (iv) Conforming to NSF standard((s)) 50 if disinfection chemical is other than gas chlorine.

     (b) If disinfection equipment has adjustable output rate chemical feed of liquid solutions, the equipment shall:

     (i) Feed under positive pressure in the recirculation system;

     (ii) Provide a means for dosage adjustment; and

     (iii) If the disinfection equipment is above pool water surface level, have provisions to prevent disinfectant solution siphoning when equipment is turned off.

     (c) Solid tablets or granules may not be placed in skimmer basket.

     (d) Rooms holding chlorine gas equipment must:

     (i) Be above ground level;

     (ii) Be constructed so all openings or partitions with adjoining rooms are sealed;

     (iii) Be located with consideration of prevailing winds to dissipate leaked chlorine away from the pool facility;

     (iv) Have door(s) opening only outward to the out-of-doors; and

     (v) Have a sign on the door exterior reading DANGER CHLORINE in large enough letters to be read twenty-five feet away.

     (e) Chlorine rooms must have mechanical exhausting ventilation that includes:

     (i) Air inlets located as far as possible from fan intakes to promote good air circulation patterns;

     (ii) A minimum of one air change per minute in the chlorine room when fan is operating;

     (iii) A remote switch outside the room or a door-activated switch to turn on fan before entering;

     (iv) Suction for fan near the floor;

     (v) Exhaust vents located to prevent chlorine contaminated air from being drawn into supply air; and

     (vi) Screened chlorinator vents.

     (f) Gas chlorine systems must:

     (i) Be vacuum injection type, with vacuum-actuated cylinder regulators;

     (ii) Provide integral backflow and antisiphon protection at the injector;

     (iii) Have taring (net weight of cylinder gas) scales for determining chlorine weight; and

     (iv) Have a means for automatic shutoff when water flow is interrupted.

     (g) A self-contained breathing apparatus designed for use in chlorine atmospheres caused by chlorine leaks must be available in an area accessible to the operator outside the chlorine room. The apparatus must be maintained in accordance with department of labor and industry standards. If procedures are established for immediate evacuation and the owner has a written agreement with emergency service fire districts or other approved organizations within the area for promptly responding to chlorine leaks, then breathing protection is not required at the pool facility.

     (h) Chlorine gas cylinders must:

     (i) Be stored only in designated chlorine rooms;

     (ii) Have an approved valve-stem cylinder wrench on the valve stem to shut the system down in an emergency event;

     (iii) Be properly secured to prevent tipping;

     (iv) Be tagged to indicate cylinders are empty or full; and

     (v) Not exceed one hundred fifty pounds tare weight per cylinder.

     (i) Owners shall ensure that chemical disinfectants are not hand-fed into pools actively in use. Exception, chemical disinfectants may be hand-fed on an emergency basis if no users are in the pool and the pool is tested to meet water quality standards before reentry.

     (j) If ozone is provided as a supplemental disinfection process:

     (i) When ozone is produced by corona discharge method, the area where the ozone is produced shall meet the requirements of (e) of this subsection, unless field tests demonstrate no hazardous off-gassing of product;

     (ii) When ozone is produced by ultraviolet light, it may be allowed in the mechanical room provided there are no levels of off-gassing exceeding 0.05 ppm;

     (iii) Provide an ozone detector and alarm with corona discharge ozone generators;

     (iv) Provide sufficient contact chambers to prevent excess levels of ozone from entering the pool water; and

     (v) Testing equipment must be provided to monitor levels in the water and the atmosphere immediately above the water and the room where the ozone is produced.

     (k) If copper or copper/silver is provided as a supplemental disinfection process:

     (i) The output rate and method of controlling process levels into the pool facility must be provided;

     (ii) The system shall not have a detrimental effect on maintaining proper turnover rates for the pool; and

     (iii) Testing equipment provided to monitor levels of copper and silver in the pool water.

     (18) Chemical feeding equipment for pH control: Owners shall provide chemical feed equipment for pH control, with a means of automatic shutoff if water flow is interrupted, for:

     (a) Swimming pools fifty thousand gallons or greater;

     (b) Spa pools ten thousand gallons or greater; and

     (c) All pools treated with caustic soda or carbon dioxide.

     (19) Ventilation: Owners shall provide adequate ventilation (in conformance with ASHRAE standards for pools and decks) to maintain air quality and to prevent moisture buildup in indoor areas. Design considerations must include maintaining negative pressure in the pool and deck area; providing adequate total airflow for acceptable air distribution; and preventing short-circuiting of fresh air return to exhaust.

     (20) Locker room and dressing rooms:

     (a) Owners shall provide general use pool facilities with locker rooms and dressing rooms having:

     (i) Separate facilities for each gender constructed to block line of sight into locker rooms;

     (ii) Water impervious nonslip floors properly sloped to drains to prevent standing water;

     (iii) Easily cleanable walls, lockers, and benches (if provided);

     (iv) Junctions between walls and floors coved for ease of cleaning; and

     (v) Properly anchored lockers, (if provided), to prevent tipping.

     (b) Owners shall provide limited use pool facilities with locker or dressing rooms meeting the requirements of (a) of this subsection if the pool facilities are located more than one-quarter mile from any served living units.

     (c) Owners shall provide general use recirculating spray pool facilities with locker or dressing rooms meeting the requirements of (a) of this subsection if the pool facilities are located indoors.

     (21) Restrooms, shower rooms, and plumbing fixtures:

     (a) Owners shall provide general use pool facilities with restroom and shower room facilities having plumbing fixture types and numbers as described in Table ((031.1)) 031.3 of this section (swim and wading pool bathing loads and spa bather capacity are additive for determining total bather load). The pool facility design shall provide users easy access to restroom and shower facilities with minimum nonuser cross traffic.

     (b) Owners shall provide general use pool facilities with:

     (i) Hose bibs with vacuum breakers around pool decks at a maximum spacing of one hundred fifty feet; accessible to each locker room; and within equipment room at facilities fifteen hundred square feet or more;

     (ii) A janitor's sink at indoor facilities with a pool of fifteen hundred square feet or more; and

     (iii) An operable drinking fountain conforming to ASA requirements at facilities with a pool fifteen hundred square feet or more.

     (c) Owners shall provide limited use pool facilities with:

     (i) Restroom and shower room facilities having plumbing fixture types and numbers as described in Table 031.3 of this section, if bathing load exceeds eighty persons;

     (ii) Restroom and shower room facilities having plumbing fixture types and numbers as described in Table 031.4 of this section, if bathing load is eighty persons or less;

     (iii) Hose bibs around pool decks at a maximum spacing of one hundred fifty feet;

     (iv) A hose bib accessible to each locker room; and

     (v) A hose bib within each equipment room at facilities with a pool of fifteen hundred square feet or more.

Table 031.3
Restroom Minimum Requirements* for General Use Pools
(Includes swimming, spa, and wading pools**)

     (i) Separate restroom facilities for each sex containing at least one toilet and handwashing sink;

     (ii) Hose bibs around pool decks at a maximum spacing of one hundred fifty feet; and

     (iii) Additional plumbing fixtures, if indoors, conforming to the requirements for general use pools described in Table ((031.1)) 031.3 of this section.

     (e) Owners shall provide limited use recirculating spray pool facilities with:

     (i) Hose bibs around pool decks at a maximum spacing of one hundred fifty feet; and

     (ii) A restroom facility containing at least one toilet and one handwashing sink, if living units served are farther than one hundred feet away from the main pool.

     (f) Restroom facilities must be located convenient to, and no further than one hundred feet away from, the main pool. They must have flush toilets provided with toilet tissue in dispensers and handwashing sinks including:

     (i) Hot and cold or tempered water delivered through a mixing faucet with a maximum temperature of one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit;

     (ii) Single service soap in a nonglass dispenser;

     (iii) Single service towels or electric hand dryer; and

     (iv) A minimum running water cycle of at least ten seconds if the faucets have self-closing valves.

     (g) Shower facilities must be located convenient to, and no more than one hundred feet away from, the main pool. The facilities must have:

     (i) A design allowing a full-body shower in the nude;

     (ii) A design providing an enclosure confining water to the shower area;

     (iii) Nonslip floor impervious to water with sufficient drains to prevent water from standing within the shower areas;

     (iv) Running water delivered at a temperature between ninety degrees and one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit;

     (v) Single service soap in a nonglass dispenser; and

     (vi) Wall surfaces impervious to water up to shower head height.

     (h) If owners limit the number of bathers within their facility and post and enforce the maximum bather load, owners may base the number of required plumbing fixtures on the posted maximum bather load.

     (i) Owners shall dispose of all wastewater in a manner approved by the local health officer.

     (22) Diaper changing stations: Owners shall provide a diaper changing station, including a handwashing sink conforming to the requirements in subsection (21)(f) of this section, accessible to all bathers, if children in diapers are allowed in the pool facility and the facility is:

     (a) A general use pool facility; or

     (b) A limited use pool facility located more than one hundred feet away from living units served.

     (23) Lighting: Owners shall design and maintain pool facility lighting to a minimum level as described in Table 031.5. Sufficient overhead and underwater lighting shall be maintained to clearly see the bottom of the pool at all times pool is in use. Owners shall provide protective shielding for all lighting fixtures above walking surfaces and pool areas.

Table 031.5*
Minimum Lighting Level Required at Water Recreation Facilities.

Location	Minimum Lighting Level
Indoor pool surface	30 foot candles
Outdoor pool surface*	10 foot candles
Pool Decks	10 foot candles
Locker rooms and mechanical rooms	20 foot candles

*	Outdoor pool facilities, which are used in daylight hours only (before dusk) are not required to meet this standard.

     (24) Flow-through pools: Flow-through pools may qualify for exceptions to recirculation if:

     (a) Water supply is sufficient to provide the same turnover period specified for recirculation pools;

     (b) The source water supply meets acceptable quality requirements and is subject to a disinfection method as described under WAC 246-260-111(3);

     (c) The introduction of fresh treated pool water is accomplished by the same type of inlet and outlet design required for recirculation pools; and

     (d) The pool water quality complies with WAC 246-260-111.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.90 and 43.20 RCW. 04-18-096, § 246-260-031, filed 9/1/04, effective 10/31/04.]

     (1) Location. Owners shall ensure pump houses, planters, balconies, landscape features, trees, and structures are located fifteen feet or more horizontally away from any swimming pool, or provide barriers or other means to prevent diving or ready access to a pool from the structures. These structures do not include:

     (a) Building walkways above the second story;

     (b) Inaccessible roofs eight feet or more in height; or

     (c) Any barriers provided to prevent unauthorized pool access (e.g., fencing).

     (2) Walking deck surfaces. Owners shall design and maintain walking deck surfaces as follows:

     (a) For pools less than fifteen hundred square feet, walking deck surfaces must be at least four feet wide around the entire perimeter of pools;

     (b) For pools less than fifteen hundred square feet, walking deck surfaces must be at least:

     (i) Six feet wide at the shallow end of a variable-depth pool; and

     (ii) Six feet wide on a minimum of twenty-five percent of the deck space of free form pools.

     (c) For pools fifteen hundred square feet or larger, walking deck surfaces must be at least six feet wide:

     (i) Around the entire perimeter of outdoor pools;

     (ii) On fifty percent of the perimeter of indoor pools; and

     (iii) The remaining fifty percent perimeter of the indoor pool must be a minimum of four feet wide.

     (d) For pools fifteen hundred square feet or more, walking deck surfaces must be at least sixteen square feet per bather. To determine maximum bather load see subsection (10) of this section. If the owner provides maximum facility occupancy loading less than that of subsection (10) of this section, and the occupancy limit is posted and enforced, that loading may be used in lieu of the maximum bather load figure as described under subsection (10) of this section; and

     (e) General use pools may not have sand and grass areas within the pool enclosure unless these areas are separated to prevent direct access from the pool area and the facility provides a means for cleansing bather's feet before reentering the pool and deck area.

     (3) Pool general floor and wall dimensional design.

     (a) Owners shall ensure pool dimensional designs for floors and walls provide for safety, circulation and quality of water;

     (b) Pool floors must have uniform slopes with:

     (i) A maximum slope of a one-foot drop in twelve feet of run at pool depths to five or less in pools fifteen hundred square feet or more; and

     (ii) Floor slopes not intruding into the area designated as the diving envelope.

     (c) Pool sidewalls may not curve or intrude into the pool beyond the vertical more than twelve inches at three and one-half feet and eighteen inches at a depth of five feet. The radius of curvature of wall-floor junctions may not exceed the maximum radius designated in Table ((041.2)) 041.1 of this section for depths over five feet. Vertical means walls not greater than eleven degrees from plumb:

Table 041.1
Maximum Radius Coving or Pool Intrusion Dimensions Between Pool Floor and Wall*

POOL DEPTH	3'	3'6"	5'	Greater than 5'
MINIMUM SIDEWALL DEPTH (Springline)	2'2"	2'6"	3'6"	At 3'6"
MAXIMUM RADIUS OF CURVATURE	10"	12"	1'6"	**Maximum radius equals pool depth minus the vertical wall depth

*Note:	For pool depths falling between the depths listed, values can be interpolated.
	For pool depths less than three feet and greater than five feet, values shall be extrapolated.
	Radius of coving shall not intrude into pool within diving envelope.

     (d) Pool configuration must have a transitional radius from wall to floor where floor slopes join walls so that:

     (i) The center of the radius not less than the minimum vertical depth specified under Table ((041.2)) 041.1 of this section below the water surface level;

     (ii) The arc of the radius is tangent to the wall; and

     (iii) The maximum radius of coving, or any intrusion into the pool wall/floor interface, is determined by subtracting the vertical wall depth from the total pool depth.

     (4) Ledges. In new construction or alterations to existing construction, ledges are prohibited in swimming pool sidewalls, except as specified in WAC 246-260-091(3).

     (5) Specific design requirements for pools furnishing areas for diving. Owners shall ensure areas designated for diving activities include a diving envelope meeting minimum requirements in:

     (a) D-8.01, Table 1, APHA Public Pool Regulations, 1981, if the pool user would enter from the deck level twelve inches or less from water surface level.

     (b) CNCA standard configuration in areas where user would enter from the deck level over twelve inches from water level, or has a platform or diving board provided at a height of less than one-half meter (twenty inches). This requirement is based on a standard described under CNCA publication Swimming Pools: A Guide to Their Planning, Design, and Operation 1987, Fourth Edition. Human Kinetics Publisher, Inc., Champaign, Illinois, Figure 8.1; or

     (c) Dimensions for Diving Facilities, FINA facility rules, 2000-2001, if the pool user enters from the diving board or platform at a height of twenty inches (one-half meter) or greater from water surface level.

     (6) Pool appurtenances.

     (a) If a swimming pool contains diving boards and/or diving platforms, owners shall ensure that the boards and platforms:

     (i) Are installed according to manufacturer's instructions;

     (ii) Have slip-resistant tread surfaces;

     (iii) Have steps and ladders leading to diving boards with handrails; and

     (iv) Are protected with guardrails and one intermediate rail, both extending at least to the water edge when one meter or more above the water.

     (b) Owners shall ensure starting blocks:

     (i) Are firmly secured when in use; and

     (ii) If water depth is less than nine feet, starting blocks must be removed or covered with protective equipment unless used by competitive swimmers trained in proper use of starting blocks.

     (c) Owners shall ensure that water slides conform with requirements of chapter 246-262 WAC.

     (7) Turnover. Owners of swimming pools shall design and maintain water treatment recirculation rates to completely turn over the entire pool water volume of pool in six hours or less.

     (8) Pool depth markings. Owners shall provide water depth markings in feet:

     (a) Located on the pool vertical wall at or above the water level so as to be easily readable from the water, in numbers at least two inches high. If overflow channels do not allow for placement of vertical wall markings above the water level, they are not required;

     (b) Located on the horizontal surface of pool coping or deck of pools within eighteen inches of the water's edge, easily readable while standing on the deck facing the water, in numbers at least four inches high;

     (c) Placed at the maximum and minimum water depths and at all points of slope change;

     (d) Spaced at increments of water depth of two feet or less;

     (e) Spaced along sides of pools at horizontal intervals of twenty-five feet or less;

     (f) Arranged uniformly on both sides and ends of pool;

     (g) Placed on all major deviations in shape;

     (h) Applied in a contrasting color; and

     (i) Made of slip-resistant material on decks.

     (9) Safety line or marking line.

     (a) Owners shall provide either safety float lines or marking lines separating areas where the pool bottom breaks from a uniform slope in the shallow area leading to deeper water. Neither float lines or marking lines are required in pools with uniform floor slopes not exceeding one foot of slope for every twelve feet of horizontal floor length.

     (b) Safety float lines, when used, must:

     (i) Be kept in place at all times, except when the pool is used for a specific purpose such as lap swimming or competitive use;

     (ii) Be placed one foot toward the shallow end away from the break point line;

     (iii) Be strung tightly allowing bathers to hold onto the line for support;

     (iv) Provide floats on the line at a minimum distance of every four feet; and

     (v) Have a receptacle for receiving the safety line either recessed into the wall or constructed so as not to constitute a safety hazard when the safety line is removed.

     (c) Marking lines, when used, must:

     (i) Be placed on pool sides and bottoms at the break point line; and

     (ii) Be of a contrasting color to the background color of the pool sidewalls and floor.

     (d) In pools with uniform slopes not exceeding one foot of drop in twelve feet of run from the shallow end to the deep end, a safety float line or marking line is not required.

     (10) Bather load. Owners shall ensure maximum number of bathers in the pool facility at any one time do not exceed a number determined by the formula noted under Table 041.2.

Table 041.2
Swimming Pool Maximum Bathing Load*

Type of pool	Value A (**SF Shallow (5 ft. or less))	Value B (SF Deep (> 5 ft.))	Maximum bather load Value A + B
Indoor	SF/25	SF/30
Outdoor	SF/15	SF/30

*	This formula will be used in determining certain features of pools as noted elsewhere in these rules and regulations.

**	SF means square feet of surface area.

     (11) Emergency equipment. Owners shall provide first aid and have emergency equipment readily available at swimming pool facilities during operating hours, including:

     (a) A telephone within the facility for general use pools;

     (b) A telephone accessible within one minute for limited use pool facilities;

     (c) A suitable area to accommodate persons requiring first-aid treatment;

     (d) A standard 16-unit first-aid kit (see Appendix C, Table); and

     (e) A blanket reserved for emergency use.

     (f) For facilities with lifeguards:

     (i) A rescue tube or rescue buoy at each pool lifeguard station; and

     (ii) A backboard with means to secure a victim to a board and immobilize head, neck, and back.

     (g) For pool facilities without lifeguards:

     (i) A reaching pole at least twelve feet long with a double crook life hook;

     (ii) A reaching pole at least twelve feet long for every fifteen hundred square feet of pool surface area; and

     (iii) A throwing buoy, throw-rope bag, or other similar device with a rope the width of the pool or fifty feet long, whichever is less, for reaching and retrieving a victim.

     (h) No later than June 1, 2008, owners of existing pools with single main drains shall install emergency equipment to shut off all pumps hooked to the recirculation lines for the pools. This emergency equipment must be placed within twenty feet of the pool and marked with an emergency shutoff sign. The shutoff switch must include an audible alarm which can be heard by those in the area, or have an alarm that goes to a point where staff is always present during the periods the pool is open.

     (i) Pools providing dual main drains meeting the requirements of this section, or other acceptable methods of providing equivalent protection to the emergency shutoff switch, are exempt from this requirement.

     (ii) The owner shall check the shutoff switch at least twice annually to determine it is properly operating.

     (iii) The department will develop a guidance document to aid owners and designers in potential options to the emergency shutoff switch and audible alarm.

     (12) Foot baths. Foot baths at water recreation facilities are prohibited. This does not preclude the construction and use of foot showers, if the area is well drained.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.90 and 43.20 RCW. 04-18-096, § 246-260-041, filed 9/1/04, effective 10/31/04.]

     (2) The requirements in WAC 246-260-031 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (8)(b), (d)(iii), (d)(v), (e), (9), (10), (15), (16), (17), and Table ((031.2)) 031.4 apply to prefabricated spa pools at limited use facilities serving less than fifteen living units.

     (3) The requirements in WAC 246-260-051 (2)(b), (d), (e), (4), (5)(b), (c), and (e) apply to prefabricated spa pools at limited use facilities serving less than fifteen living units.

     (4) Spa pools that are drained, cleaned and refilled between patron use in individual hotel/motel rooms are exempt from these requirements. Spas that are not drained, cleaned and refilled between use shall at least:

     (a) Conform with WAC 246-260-031(4) on barriers beyond the room itself, such that the guest room plus any associated lanai or deck may be considered an enclosure unit.

     (b) Conform with WAC 246-260-031(17) on disinfection equipment and conform with water quality requirements of WAC 246-260-111 for disinfection and pH.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.90 and 43.20 RCW. 04-18-096, § 246-260-061, filed 9/1/04, effective 10/31/04.]

     (2) Benches. A single bench or seat that is recessed from the general wall of the swimming pool may be built into the shallow area of the pool, if it meets the following conditions. The bench: (See figure 091.1.)

     (a) May not be located in an area that is used for lap swimming;

     (b) May not exceed twenty percent of the length of the side it is located on or five percent of the perimeter of a free form pool;

     (c) Must have a minimum two-inch or wider durable continuous line of a contrasting color on the top and side of the bench edge, so as to be readily visible to persons standing on the deck and persons swimming in the water; and

     (d) The area of the deck above the bench must be labeled in nonslip lettering at least four inches high: "NO DIVING."

     (3) Ledges. In general use swimming pools, a single ledge may be built into the deep end of the pool, if:

     (a) The ledge construction conforms with FINA facilities rules, 2001-2002, Swimming Pools, FR2.4.2;

     (b) The ledge is in a contrasting color from the rest of the pool for easy visibility.

     (4) Waterfalls. A waterfall feature may be built at swim pool or spa pool facilities if the following conditions are met:

     (a) If located in or adjacent to shallow swimming pool water levels, it must be set back from the edge of the pool a distance specified in Table 091.2; exceptions may be made for lifeguarded pools;

     (b) If located at, or adjacent to, deep swimming pool water levels, it will be considered a diving platform and the adjacent pool area must conform to diving envelope design specified in WAC 246-260-041(((3)))(5);

     (c) Minimum walkway areas required in other sections of this chapter must be maintained around pools;

     (d) Water in waterfalls that commingles with pool water must meet water quality and treatment requirements specified in other sections of this chapter and any additional disinfection required by the department or local health officer to address anticipated increased demands and aerosolization of disinfectant;

     (e) Flows may not create turbulence that might create a safety hazard or reduce visibility in the pool; and

     (f) Waterfalls that flow from pool sidewalls may not exceed five percent of the total pool perimeter.

Table 091.2
Set-Back Requirements for Special Water Features in Pools at Shallow Swimming Pool Water Levels*

Height of Feature Above Pool Water Level	Type of Special Feature
	Waterfall	Rockery	Planting
12 inches or less	Feature may spill directly to pool from sidewall	Setback of 4 feet or more from pool edge; except at pools that are continuously lifeguarded. Five percent of deck perimeter may have feature provided up to pool edge.	Setback of 4 feet or more from pool edge.
Greater than 12 inches and less than 30 inches	Setback of 8 feet or more from pool edge.
Greater than or equal to 30 inches	Setback of 15 feet or more from pool edge.

*	Guarded pool setbacks shall be established in a preconstruction design conference with the owner, designer and health department.

     (5) Rockeries. A decorative rock feature may be built at a swim pool or spa pool facility, if the following conditions are met:

     (a) If located adjacent to shallow swimming pool water, it must be set back from the edge of the pool a distance specified in Table 091.2; exceptions may be made for lifeguarded pools;

     (b) If located at or adjacent to deep swimming pool water levels, it will be considered a diving platform and the adjacent pool area must conform to diving envelope design specified in WAC 246-260-041(((3)))(5);

     (c) The design has a nonslip surface without sharp or cutting edges in any areas that provide a potential foothold, stepping or standing access; and

     (d) It slopes to drain water away from the pool.

     (6) Play toy equipment. Play toy equipment may be built at pool facilities provided the following conditions are met:

     (a) Can only be used in lifeguarded pools;

     (b) It must comply with the requirements of chapter 246-262 WAC;

     (c) Its design conforms to ASTM standard F1292 including establishing fall zones;

     (d) Surfaces must be easily cleanable;

     (e) It must be operated in accordance with a written plan of operation developed by the owner, addressing placement of the toy, protection from falls, entrapment, entanglement of bathers from each other, and visibility of users to lifeguards; and

     (7) Special use pools. At least thirty days prior to development of final plans and specifications, owners shall submit proposals at a preliminary design conference for pools designed for special use purposes (e.g., scuba training, kayaking, portable rental spas, sensory deprivation tanks, public promotions at sports fields, county fairs, and any special events using portable pools) to the department or local health officer for review and approval. The department or local health officer has flexibility in applying portions of this chapter or additional requirements necessary to assure health and safety for users of these special use pools.

     (8) Ballet rails.

     (a) Owners may install ballet-type rails on pools having uses limited to exercise and training;

     (b) Owners may install ballet-type rail on general or limited use pools, if:

     (i) The rail is inset into the wall to preclude any obstructions in the pool; and

     (ii) The rail is removable and covers are provided and used to maintain a flush surface in general use pools.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.90 and 43.20 RCW. 04-18-096, § 246-260-091, filed 9/1/04, effective 10/31/04.]

     (a) Physical pool facility components and signage;

     (b) Personnel;

     (c) Users and spectators, including pool rules;

     (d) Emergency response provisions;

     (e) Diving during supervised swimming instruction into water depths recognized as adequate by the organization certifying the activity, such as ARC; and

     (f) Environmental conditions.

     (2) Physical components. Owners shall check each WRF's physical components routinely to ensure:

     (a) Barrier protection, emergency equipment and structural facilities are properly maintained.

     (b) Water does not pond on walking surfaces;

     (c) Common articles provided for patrons, such as towels, bathing suits, bathing caps, etc., are sanitized before reuse;

     (d) Sanitation items including toilet tissue, handwashing soap and single use towels or equivalent are maintained at facilities;

     (e) Treatment of the water recreation pool facility occurs continuously at turnover rates required by this chapter twenty-four hours a day during periods of use;

     (f) Swimming, spa, wading and spray pools shall be equipped with drain covers that are properly maintained, intact and secured to protect against entrapment.

     (g) Extra filter cartridge provided for each cartridge filter.

     (3) Food service. If food service is provided and allowed, the owner shall:

     (a) Ensure food and beverage sale and consumption areas at general use pools are separated from pool and deck enclosure areas;

     (b) Prohibit food and beverage in pool water at limited use pools and maintain a minimum four-foot clear area between pool edge and any tables and chairs provided for food service;

     (c) Prohibit use of glass in pool facility and provide trash containers; and

     (d) Prohibit the sale or consumption of alcohol at general use pools.

     (4) Spa and recirculating spray pool reservoir cleaning. Owners shall routinely drain, clean and refill spa and recirculation spray pools at a minimum frequency specified by the following formula.

     Spa or spray pool reservoir volume in gallons/3/average number of users per day = Number of days between draining, cleaning and refilling.

     (5) Signage for user rules.

     (a) Owners shall provide and maintain signage specifying user rules and safety information required by this section in a conspicuous place in the pool area with easily readable lettering at least three-eighths of an inch high. All swimming, spa and wading pool facilities must have signs stating pool rules:

     (i) Prohibiting use by anyone running or participating in horseplay:

     (ii) Prohibiting use by anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs;

     (iii) Prohibiting use by anyone with a communicable disease or anyone who has been ill with vomiting or diarrhea within the last two weeks;

     (iv) Prohibiting anyone from bringing food or drink into the pool water;

     (v) Requiring everyone to have a cleansing shower before entering the pool;

     (vi) Requiring anyone in diapers to wear protective covering to prevent contamination;

     (vii) Requiring diapers to be changed at designated diaper change areas;

     (viii) Warning patrons that anyone refusing to obey the pool rules is subject to removal from the premises;

     (ix) Directing patrons to the location of the nearest telephone and first-aid kit for emergency use;

     (x) Advising patrons that anyone with seizure, heart, or circulatory problems should swim with a buddy; and

     (xi) Where diving boards are used, provide signs for proper use.

     (b) All swimming, spa, and wading pool facilities where lifeguards or attendants are not present shall have signs stating additional pool rules that:

     (i) If a child twelve years of age or less is using the pool, a responsible adult eighteen years of age or older must accompany the child and be at the pool or pool deck at all times the child uses the facility; and

     (ii) If an individual between thirteen years of age and seventeen years of age is using the pool, at least one other person must be at the pool facility.

     (c) All spa pool facilities must have signs stating additional pool rules:

     (i) Cautioning that children under the age of six should not use a spa pool;

     (ii) Cautioning that persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should consult a physician before using a spa pool;

     (iii) Cautioning that women who are or might be pregnant seek physician's advice regarding using a spa pool;

     (iv) Cautioning everyone to limit the stay in the spa pool to fifteen minutes at any one session; and

     (v) Posting the maximum bather capacity of each spa pool.

     (d) All spray pool facilities must have signs stating pool rules as specified in (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and (viii) of this subsection.

     (6) Required personnel.

     (a) Owners shall ensure appropriate personnel specified in this subsection provide monitoring at pool facilities.

     (b) General use swimming pool facilities shall have lifeguards present at all times pools are in use; except:

     (i) If swim or dive teams are facility users, the owner may allow substitution of a qualified coach properly credentialed by the sponsoring organization furnishing the swim or dive coach; and

     (ii) Owners may substitute persons with Master Scuba Diver Trainer or Master Scuba Diver Instructor certification through PADI or SCUBA instructor, assistant instructor or divemaster through NAUI or other department-approved training in lieu of lifeguards for SCUBA training.

     (iii) PADI or NAUI certified scuba instructing staff shall maintain the following conditions:

     (A) Limit number of persons training to ten persons per instructor.

     (B) Ensure all persons being instructed are monitored at all times while in the pool to ensure thirty-second response time can be provided.

     (iv) Private club swimming pool facilities must have lifeguards present at all times persons sixteen years of age and younger are using the pool facilities, except:

     (A) Attendants or shallow water lifeguards may supervise persons thirteen through sixteen years of age when these users are restricted to a pool depth less than or equal to five feet; and

     (B) Attendants or shallow water lifeguards may supervise all persons sixteen years of age and under if the entire pool depth is less than four and one-half feet.

     (c) If a spa or wading pool is in same enclosure as a swimming pool, all pools are subject to the most stringent monitoring personnel requirements applicable for any pool in the enclosure unless barriers that conform to WAC 246-260-031(4) restrict access between pools.

     (d) The use of spas or wading pools not requiring lifeguards or attendants is subject to the following conditions:

     (i) If the pool is used by children twelve years of age or under, a responsible adult eighteen years of age or older must accompany the children and be at the pool or pool deck at all times the children use the facility;

     (ii) If the pool is used by persons seventeen years of age or under, a minimum of two people must be at the pool facility at all times the pool is in use;

     (iii) The owner shall post the requirements of this subsection to assure the responsible person is notified of conditions for use of the facility.

     (e) Limited use pool facilities must have an equivalent or greater level of supervision as specified for private clubs in (b)(iv) of this subsection during any times when activities are provided that put the pools into the category of general use pools.

     (f) At limited use pool facilities, if alcohol is sold within the pool facility, the owner must provide a lifeguard or attendant at the pool area.

     (g) All pool facilities must have a water treatment operator.

     (7) Personnel duties and equipment.

     (a) Owners shall ensure personnel are present at each WRF who perform duties specified in this subsection.

     (b) Lifeguards, shallow water lifeguards and swim coaches shall guard assigned pool users and provide a rescue response time of thirty seconds or less.

     (c) Attendants, if provided at pools not requiring lifeguards, shall oversee pool use by the bathers and provide supervision and elementary rescues such as reaching assists to bathers in need. This does not mean the person is qualified or trained to make swimming rescues.

     (d) Owners shall notify responsible persons on the conditions for facility use at pools not requiring lifeguards and for which no lifeguards or attendants are present. A responsible person means a person having responsibility for overseeing users seventeen years of age or under including, but not limited to, a person:

     (i) Renting an apartment, hotel, motel, RV camp, etc.; or

     (ii) Who is an owner or member of a condominium, homeowner's association, fraternity, equity ownership facility, mobile home park, sorority, or private club with a pool facility.

     (e) Water treatment operators shall assure the water treatment components of each WRF are functioning to protect health, safety and water quality.

     (f) Owners shall ensure that lifeguards, shallow water lifeguards, swim coaches, and attendants:

     (i) Wear a distinguishing suit/uniform, or emblem; and

     (ii) Carry a whistle or equivalent signaling device.

     (8) Personnel training.

     (a) Owners shall ensure that pool personnel required by subsection (((5))) (6) of this section have skills necessary for their duties, obtained by training and certification specified in Table 131.1 in Appendix B, or equivalent.

     (b) Owners shall keep a copy at the WRF of each currently valid certification required for pool personnel.

     (c) Owners shall ensure safety-monitoring personnel obtain continuing education needed to maintain lifeguarding skills and maintain valid certifications required by this subsection.

     (d) If SCUBA or kayaking lessons are conducted at a pool, owners shall ensure that personnel monitoring these activities are trained to recognize special hazards associated with these activities.

     (9) Emergency response plan.

     (a) Owners shall prepare and implement emergency response plans specified in this subsection.

     (b) In pool facilities where lifeguards, shallow water lifeguards, or swimming coaches are required by subsections (((5))) (6) and (((6))) (7) of this section:

     (i) Sufficient qualified personnel must be present and appropriately located to provide a rescue response time of thirty seconds or less for all pool users;

     (ii) The number and qualifications of personnel present must be based on factors dealing with pool depth, line of sight, bather load, potential emergency procedures, and personnel rotation;

     (iii) Emergency response drills must be held two or more times each year to test whether thirty-second response time can be met; and

     (iv) A record of each response drill must be kept at the WRF for three or more years.

     (c) In pool facilities where lifeguards are not present, in accordance with subsection (((5))) (6)(c) and (e) of this section, owners shall adopt rules, provide enforcement of conditions for pool use and notify users when first using facility and at least annually thereafter that conditions for use include:

     (i) If a child twelve years of age or less is using the pool, a responsible adult eighteen years of age or older shall accompany the child and be at the pool or pool deck at all times the child uses the facility; and

     (ii) If anyone seventeen years of age or less is using the pool, a minimum of two people shall be at the pool facility.

     (d) Emergency equipment specified in WAC 246-260-041, 246-260-051, and 246-260-071 must be readily available during WRF operating hours.

     (e) In facilities where chlorine gas is used:

     (i) WRF personnel shall conduct annual emergency drills; and

     (ii) The plan shall identify the location of accessible chlorine cylinder repair kits.

     (f) Operators shall ensure that lifeguards, shallow water lifeguards, and swim coaches receive ongoing training of emergency response skills.

     (10) Environmental conditions. Owners shall monitor various environmental conditions affecting the facility or potentially affecting the health and safety of users. Owners shall close the WRF or take other appropriate action in response to adverse environmental factors, (e.g., electrical storms, fog, wind, and visibility problems) to ensure that the health and safety of users are protected.

     (11) Closure. Owners shall close the facility when the facility presents an unhealthful, unsafe, or unsanitary condition. These conditions include lack of compliance with the water quality or an operation requirement in this section or in WAC 246-260-111.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.90 and 43.20 RCW. 04-18-096, § 246-260-131, filed 9/1/04, effective 10/31/04.]

     (2) Owners of all facilities shall comply with the operational requirements in WAC 246-260-101 through 246-260-151.

     (3) Owners of facilities designed and constructed after the effective date of these regulations shall comply with all applicable sections of the design, construction and equipment requirements in WAC 246-260-021 through 246-260-091.

     (4) Facilities constructed prior to the effective date of these regulations shall comply with the barrier protection requirements in WAC 246-260-031 (4) and (5) and the emergency equipment requirements established in WAC 246-260-041 (11)(((g)))(h); 246-260-071(7); and 246-260-081(4) by the compliance deadlines specified in the regulations. Barrier modifications or emergency shutoff switches made prior to the compliance deadlines shall meet the requirements in WAC 246-260-031 (4) and (5); and WAC 246-260-041 (11)(((g)))(h); 246-260-071(7); and 246-260-081(4) at the time the modifications are made.

     (5) When owners are modifying the physical plant of their facilities, they are required to upgrade the area of the physical plant being modified to conform to current requirements. For example, when owners having pool facilities with single main drains are changing or modifying their main drains they shall modify the main drains in compliance with the current requirements. This includes, but is not limited to:

     (a) Resurfacing of pools that involves alteration of the drains; or

     (b) Changes to the main drain outlet sump or its recirculation piping.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 70.90 and 43.20 RCW. 04-18-096, § 246-260-171, filed 9/1/04, effective 10/31/04.]

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