Pools and Spas - California Administrative Code Title 22 & Title 24

Post date: Aug 02, 2016 11:51:32 PM

NUMBER OF GUESTS

Consider having a limit on the number of guests a resident can bring to the pool to allow for other residents' comfort and enjoyment of the pool and surrounding areas.

SWIM ATTIRE

Suggesting proper swim attire is important to avoid loose particles and thread from clogging up the filter and pool equipment. You should be okay to limit street clothes, cut-offs, and thongs. However, keep in mind some people may have medical or religious reasons for wearing a t-shirt, but a swimming type shirt/cover up that doesn't have buttons or loose threads could be a good compromise.

DIAPERS

Have a policy in place that states "incontinent persons may not use the pool unless they wear appropriate waterproof undergarments," instead of banning "diapers". Incontinence can occur at any age, so age discrimination against babies are avoided.

POOL LIGHTING

Title 24 of the California Administrative Code, Section 3114B (formerly 2-9019) Pool Lighting

3114B.1 General. Where pool lighting is provided, it shall be such that lifeguards or other persons may observe, without interference from direct and reflected glare from the lighting sources, every part of the underwater area and swimming pool surface, all diving boards, or other pool appurtenances.

NOTE: See (Part 3) Article 680 for electrical installation requirements.

3114B.2 Nighttime Use. Pools used at night shall be equipped with underwater light fixtures that will provide complete illumination to all underwater areas of the pool with no blind spots. Illumination shall enable a lifeguard or other persons to determine whether: (1) a bather is lying on the bottom of the pool, and (2) the water conforms to the definition of “clear pool water”. Exception: Pools provided with a system of overhead lighting fixtures, where it can be demonstrated to the enforcing agency that the system is equivalent to the underwater lighting fixture system.

3114B.3 Deck Area Lighting Where the pool is to be used at night, pool deck areas shall be provided with lighting so that persons walking on the deck can identify hazards. Lighting fixtures shall be aimed towards the deck area and away from the pool surface insofar as practical.

ENCLOSURE OF POOL AREA

Title 24 of the California Administrative Code, Section 3118B (formerly 2-9024) Enclosure of Pool Area

(a) Enclosure. The pool shall be enclosed by one or a combination of one of the following: a fence, portion of a building, wall or other approved durable enclosure. Doors, openable windows, or gates of living quarters or associated private premises shall not be permitted as part of the pool enclosure. The enclosure, doors and gates shall meet all of the following specifications:

The enclosure shall have a minimum effective perpendicular height of 5 feet as measured from the outside as depicted in Figures 31B-4 and 31B-5.
Openings, holes or gaps in the enclosure, doors and/or gates shall not allow the passage of a 4 inch diameter sphere. The bottom of the enclosure shall be within 2 inches of the finished grade.
The enclosure shall be designed and constructed so that it cannot be readily climbed by small children. Horizontal and diagonal member designs, which might serve as a ladder for small children, are prohibited. Horizontal members shall be spaced at least 48 inches apart. Planters or other structures shall not be permitted to encroach upon the clear span area as depicted in Figure 31B-5. Chain link may be used provided that the openings are not greater than 1 3/4 inches measured horizontally.

3118B.2 Gates

Gates and doors opening into the pool enclosure shall also meet the following specifications:

Gates and doors shall be equipped with self closing and self latching devices. The self latching device shall be designed to keep the gate or door securely closed. Gates and doors shall open outward away from the pool except where otherwise prohibited by law. Hand activated door or gate opening hardware shall be located at least 3 ½ feet above the deck or walkway.
- Exception: Doors leading from areas of hotels and motels, as defined in the Business and Professions Code Section 25503.16(b), which are open to the general public, e.g., restaurants, lobbies, bars, meeting rooms, and retail shops need not be self latching.
Except as otherwise provided herein, gates and doors shall be capable of being locked during times when the pool is closed. Exit doors which comply with Chapter 10 shall be considered as meeting these requirements.
The pool enclosure shall have at least one means of egress without a key for emergency purposes. Unless all gates or doors are so equipped, those gates and/or doors which will allow egress without a key shall be clearly and conspicuously labeled in letters at least 4 inches high “EMERGENCY EXIT”.
The enclosure shall be designed and constructed so that all persons will be required to pass through common pool enclosure gates or doors in order to gain access to the pool area. All gates and doors exiting the pool area shall open into a public area or walkway accessible by all patrons of the pool.

3118B.3 Retroactivity: Subsections 3118B.1 and 3118B.2 shall apply only to a public swimming pool constructed on or after July 1, 1994.

3118B.4 Enclosure of pools constructed prior to July 1, 1994. When the physical characteristics of a site preclude providing a four foot deck around the perimeter of an existing pool, the enforcing agency may allow the installation of an enclosure which reduces the pool deck to less than four feet in width. NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 100275 and 116050, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 116050, Health and Safety Code.

SIGNAGE

Signs need to have clearly legible letters not less than 4” high shall be posted in a conspicuous place near the pool.

Title 22 of the California Administrative Code, Section 65539 requires signage, when there is no lifeguard on duty, that says: Warning-No Lifeguard on Duty. In addition, the sign should also state: Children Under the Age of 14 Should Not Use Pool Without an Adult Supervision in Attendance.

Title 24 of the California Administrative Code, Section 3119B (formerly 2-9025) Signs:

3119B.1 Occupant Load Sign: A sign with clearly legible letters not less than 4” high shall be posted in a conspicuous place near the main entrance to a pool which shall indicate the number of occupants permitted for each pool.

3119B.1.1 Spa Pool: The occupant capacity of a spa pool shall be based on one bather for every 10 square feet of pool water surface area.

3119B.1.2 Other Pools: The occupant capacity of all other pools shall be based on one bather for every 20 square feet of pool water surface area.

Exception: Occupant capacity requirements do not apply to wading pools.

3119B.2 Signs for Shallow Pool: Signs with clearly legible letters not less than 4 inches high shall be posted in a conspicuous place and shall state: "NO DIVING ALLOWED".

3119B.3 Warning Sign for Pools Using Gas Chlorine: Pools at which gas chlorine is used for disinfection shall have a conspicuously posted sign on the exterior side of the entry door to the chlorine room, or on the adjacent wall area. In addition to displaying the appropriate hazard identification symbol for gas chlorine, the sign shall state with clearly legible letters not less than 4” high the following: "DANGER: GASEOUS OXIDIZER CHLORINE".

3119B.4 Warning Sign for Pools Without Pool Lighting: Where pool lighting fixtures which comply with Section 3114B are not provided, a sign with clearly legible letters not less than 4 inches high shall be posted in a prominent place near each entrance to the pool area. This sign shall state “NO USE OF POOL ALLOWED AFTER DARK”

3119B.5 Warning Sign for a Spa Pool: A precaution sign with clearly legible letters shall be posted in a prominent place near the entrance to a spa pool which shall contain the following language:

CAUTION:

Elderly persons, pregnant women, infants and those with health conditions requiring medical care should consult with a physician before entering a spa.
Unsupervised use by children under the age of 14 is prohibited.
Hot water immersion while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, drugs, or medicines may lead to serious consequences and is not recommended.
Do not use alone.
Long exposure may result in nausea, dizziness or fainting. 3119B.6 Approved Signs. Approved signs shall be maintained in a legible manner.

3119B.6 Approved Signs: Approved signs shall be maintained in a legible manner.