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Ohio Laws and Rules
(A) The requirements prescribed by this rule shall apply to the construction or installation of each new public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool and to any areas of an existing public swimming pool, public, spa, or special use pool that are affected by a renovation or other substantial alteration, as defined in rule 3701-31-03 of the Administrative Code, made on or after January 1, 1999. To the extent that they are not superseded by requirements of this rule, the requirements of rule 3701-31-04 of the Administrative Code also apply to such a pool, spa, or area.
(B) Public spa and wading pool depths.
(1) The maximum water depth of a public spa shall be four feet.
(2) The maximum water depth of a wading pool shall be eighteen inches.
(C) Public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool water shall be protected at all times from cross-connection with storm water or sanitary sewage drains and sewers. Condensate water from dehumidifiers, air conditioning or other air handling equipment shall not be returned to the pool.
(D) When reviewing plans for a public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool, the director may require a more rapid turnover rate than the applicable rate prescribed by paragraph (C) of rule 3701-31-04 of the Administrative Code, or this paragraph, if the director determines that a more rapid rate is appropriate for the design or intended use of the pool or spa. Turnover rates for special use pools shall be as follows:
(a) For special use pools of twenty-four inches or less in average depth, the turnover rate shall be at least every two hours.
(b) For special use pools greater than twenty-four inches to thirty-six inches in average depth, the turnover rate shall be at least every three hours.
(c) For special use pools of more than thirty-six inches average depth, the turnover rate shall be at least every four hours; except that in the case of a pool with only twenty percent of the pool’s area devoted to special feature use, the turnover rate shall be at least every five hours.
(E) Construction materials.
(1) Public swimming pools, public spas, and special use pools and the internal piping of pools and spas shall be constructed of materials which are inert, non-toxic to humans, impervious, and capable of withstanding the design stresses. The construction materials for any pool or spa shall provide a safe, impervious water-tight tank with a smooth and easily cleanable surface. Construction materials for decks shall provide a smooth easily cleanable, slip-resistant surface. The interior surfaces of pools and spas shall be painted white, unless the color is submitted to and approved by the director. Racing lanes shall be painted in accordance with the applicable competitive standard.
(2) Vinyl liners shall not be used as the primary construction material that ensures that a pool or spa is impervious.
(F) Decking.
(1) Decking shall extend around no less than fifty per cent of a public swimming pool’s or special use pool’s perimeter. The decks of outdoor public swimming pools or special use pools shall be at least five feet wide. The decks of indoor public swimming pools or special use pools shall be at least three feet wide. No pool shall have more than twelve consecutive feet in length of pool perimeter which is not accessible to a deck of at least two feet in length that also has access away from the pool. There are no minimum deck requirements for public spas.
(2) Decks or surrounding areas of an outdoor public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool shall not drain to the pool or spa or its recirculation system. The deck of an indoor public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool shall drain to a separate drainage system and shall not be interconnected with the recirculation system. Decks shall be carefully constructed to provide drainage from the deck and to prevent any standing water.
(3) Decks and other areas accessible to the patrons of a public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool that are within five feet of the water’s edge for an outdoor pool or spa or within three feet of the water’s edge for an indoor pool or spa shall have surfaces that are easily cleanable, non-abrasive, slip-resistant, not subject to microbial growth or deterioration, and do not present a hazard to public health or safety. These decks and other accessible areas shall not be constructed of wood and shall not be carpeted.
(4) The edges of decks at all public swimming pools, public spas, and special use pools shall be rounded to prevent injury to patrons of the pool or spa. Concrete or brick decks shall be rounded to a minimum of a one-eighth inch radius.
(5) A deck with a minimum width of four feet shall be provided around diving equipment, and special feature stairways.
(G) Fences.
(1) The licensee shall provide a perimeter fence or structural barrier to enclose a public swimming pool, public spa, special use pool or complex of pools or spas which shall be at least forty-eight inches in height. All gates or doors in the perimeter fence or barrier shall be lockable, and any gates or doors that are used for ingress or egress of pool or spa patrons shall be self-closing and self-latching with the latching mechanism at a height of at least forty-five inches above the ground. The fence or barrier shall be constructed on the outside without horizontal members that would make it easy to climb and in such a manner that a sphere with a diameter of four inches cannot be passed through any opening. Electronic detection devices shall not be used in place of the required fence or barrier.
(2) The licensee of a wading pool shall provide a fence or structural barrier with a minimum height of thirty-six inches to completely enclose and separate the wading pool from any special use pool, public spa, or other public swimming pool that is not a wading pool. All gates or doors in this fence or barrier shall be self-closing and self-latching. The fence or barrier shall be constructed on the inside without horizontal members that would make it easy to climb and in such a manner that a sphere with a diameter of four inches cannot be passed through any opening.
(H) Ramps or any other means of ingress or egress furnished in public swimming pools, public spas, or special use pools for accessibility to physically handicapped or disabled individuals shall comply with public law 101-336, 28 CFR parts 35 and 36, known as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. Any access ramp shall enter into the shallow end of a public swimming pool or special use pool.
(I) Public swimming pools or special use pools shall be provided with ladders, stairs, or recessed steps at both the shallow and deep ends. This requirement also shall apply to pools substantially altered if the alteration affects the pool walls. If such a newly constructed or altered pool is over thirty feet wide, ladders, stairs, or recessed steps shall be installed on each side.
(J) The licensee of a public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool shall provide toilet and bathhouse facilities in accordance with table 2909.1 of rule 4101:2-29-09 of the Administrative Code.
(K) All skimmers, filters, and disinfectant feeders used for a public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool shall be:
(1) Approved and listed by the “National Sanitation Foundation” or approved and listed by another organization or agency that approves equipment used for swimming pools, spas, or special use pools, if the organization or agency establishes standards or maintains testing or monitoring procedures that the director or the licensor, as applicable depending upon whether plan approval or licensure is at issue, determines are comparable to the standards and procedures of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) “Standard No. 50”; or
(2) If existing equipment, tested in Ohio in at least ten public swimming pools or public spas of comparable design in accordance with standards and procedures that the director determines are comparable to the standards and procedures of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) “Standard No. 50”. Engineering reports on technical and performance data and water quality sampling results shall be submitted to the director; or
(3) If new equipment, tested in Ohio in at least three public swimming pools or public spas of different volumes in accordance with standards and procedures that the director determines are comparable to the standards and procedures of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) “Standard No. 50”. The testing period shall continue for at least one calendar year. Engineering reports on technical and performance data and water quality sampling results shall be submitted to the director. At the conclusion of the testing period, the director may approve or disapprove the continued use of the skimmer, filter, or disinfectant feeder for public swimming pools, spas, or special use pools.
Filters shall be approved and listed for the relevant flow rates.
(L) Water recirculation rate of flow shall be measured and displayed by a properly installed instrument at each public swimming pool, public spa or special use pool. The instrument shall be specifically manufactured for measuring and displaying rate of flow. The instrument shall be installed so that it is easily accessible to observe and maintain.
(M) Lighting. The licensee of an outdoor public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool which is used at night (after sunset) and the licensee of an indoor public swimming pool, public spa, or special use pool shall provide lighting in accordance with the following applicable requirements:
(1) For outdoor pools (other than wading pools) used at night, the licensee shall provide underwater or area lighting, or both, to adequately illuminate the pool bottom and the deck area.
(2) For indoor pools (other than wading pools), indoor spas, and outdoor spas used at night, the licensee shall provide area or underwater lighting, or both, to adequately illuminate both the pool or spa bottom and the deck area.
(3) For indoor wading pools and outdoor wading pools used at night, the licensee shall provide adequate area lighting. No underwater lighting is required.
(N) Diving.
(1) All public swimming pools or special use pools with diving boards used only for recreational diving shall be constructed or installed in accordance with Appendix A to this rule, the 1982 “Recommended Standards for Swimming Pool Design and Operation” of the “Great Lakes – Upper Mississippi River Board of Public Health and Environmental Managers” or in accordance with Appendix B to this rule, the 1991 “American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools” (ANSI/NSPI-1), provided that the minimum dimensions for recreational diving as set forth in the following chart are met:
Minimum Recreational Diving Area Features
For Image — To obtain the appendix, table, image, etc. please call LSC’s ERF Helpdesk at 614-387-2078 or send an email to erfhelpdesk@lsc.state.oh.us.
Max board ht. Max diving Min board
Over water Board length Overhang-L1 D1 D2 L2
19” or less 8’ min. Only 2’6” 7’6” 8’6” 10’0”
26” 10’ 2’6” 7’6” 8’6” 10’0”
30” 12’ 3’0 8’0” 9’0” 10’0”
1-meter 16’ 4’0” 8’6” 10’0” 10’0”
3-meter 16’ 6’0” 11’0” 12’0” 12’0”
Note: a longer board may be used on a lower stand if the water depth meets or exceeds the requirements for the longer board. Diving hopper side and end slopes shall not exceed forty-five degrees.
(2) The water depths required beneath diving boards used for recreational diving shall meet the requirements of paragraph (F)(4) of rule 3701-31-04 of the Administrative Code.
(3) Diving boards may be used for competitive diving only at public swimming pools or special use pools that are specifically designed for competitive diving in compliance with the appendix to rule 3701-31-04 of the Administrative Code and paragraph (N)(4) of this rule.
(4) The horizontal separation between competitive diving boards shall be at least ten feet. The horizontal distance between a one-meter competitive diving board and the pool side wall shall be at least ten feet. The horizontal distance between a three-meter competitive diving board and the pool side wall shall be at least eleven feet. All measurements shall be taken from the center of the diving board at the pool surface.
(5) Floor, deck, or pool bottom pads or padding specially designed for impact energy absorption shall consist of a non-foamed rubber material. The material shall meet all consumer product safety commission standards including ASTM F-1292, “Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation for Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment” as may be amended. Information and testing reports for impact energy absorption materials shall be submitted to the director for approval prior to the following installations:
(a) Pads are required under and around platforms and elevated play features located within any public swimming pool or special use pool.
(b) Pads may be used around diving board stands, towers, and platforms and slide platforms.
(O) Pool walls. The walls of public swimming pools and special use pools shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) The side walls of the diving hopper of a pool with a diving board, other than a pool designed to competitive standards, shall not slope more than one horizontal to five vertical (eleven degrees from vertical). The other side walls of the pool shall meet the requirements of paragraph (O)(2) of this rule.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (O)(3) of this rule, the walls of a pool that does not have a diving board shall meet the requirements of paragraph (O)(1) of this rule for at least three feet below the water level, below which the walls may either curve to the bottom with a radius not greater than the difference between the depth at that point and three feet, or be sloped.
(3) For pools less than six feet deep, the walls shall slope no more than two horizontal to five vertical (twenty-two degrees from vertical).
(P) Water attractions. Raindrop fountains and other water attractions intended for recreational purposes shall be designed in such a manner that all water flowing from the water attraction is disinfected prior to return to the attraction. Disinfection may be accomplished by either all water flow going through the main recirculation pump and disinfection system prior to the water attraction, or all water flow to the water attraction going through a separate pump and disinfection system with an automatic chemical controller provided on the main pool recirculation system.
(Q) Main drains. All public swimming pools, special use pools, and spas six feet or less in depth shall have at least two main drains on the recirculation system when the system is designed for direct suction. Main drains shall be located in the deepest area of the public swimming pool, special use pool or spa. For pools, the main drains shall be constructed horizontally. For spas, at least one main drain shall be constructed horizontally. In public swimming pools and special use pools the adjacent edges of the drains shall be a minimum of three feet apart and shall be installed in accordance with the following specifications:
(1) Drain covers in any pool eighteen inches in depth or less shall be a minimum of twelve inches by twelve inches in size.
(2) Suction piping shall be designed to pull equally from each drain. Each drain shall have the capacity to handle one hundred per cent of the required recirculation flow with flow velocity not exceeding one and one-half feet per second through the open area of the grate.
(3) If anti-vortex covers are used, the maximum flow velocity through the open area of the covers shall not exceed three feet per second. Flow through an anti-vortex cover shall not exceed the manufacturer’s rated capacity.
(R) Depth markers. Special use pools with zero depth entrances shall have the entrance marked with a sign that says “zero depth.” There shall be a minimum of two markers and spacing shall not exceed twenty-five feet. Letters in the marker shall be at least four inches high. All markers shall be slip resistant.
(S) Vent line. A vent line may be installed on the pump suction line of a wading pool or a special use pool as an alternate to the vacuum limit switch required by paragraph (C)(9) of rule 3701-31-04 of the Administrative Code.
(T) National electric code. The provisions of the latest edition of the “National Electric Code” (NEC) as published by the national fire protection association shall apply to all public swimming pools, public spas, and special use pools.
(U) Slides. All water slides and recreational slides shall have visually designated splash down areas. There shall be a ladder or stairs within the area for egress. The tower shall have a minimum four foot wide deck around the outside. All water slides shall have a switch on the tower platform accessible to the dispatcher that when used will result in an immediate shut-down of the slide pump. The height of a playground slide shall not exceed forty-two inches from the deck to the top of the slide and installation shall be in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements.
(V) Indoor pools.
(1) Doors. All entrances and exits from the pool or spa area shall have doors or gates that are self-closing, self-latching and lockable with the latching mechanism at least forty-five inches above the floor.
(2) Ventilation. Indoor public swimming pools, public spas, and special use pools equipment rooms and chemical storage areas shall be ventilated in accordance with sound engineering practice and the requirements of the Ohio basic building code. In pool areas there shall be a minimum of four complete air changes per hour. Direct air drafts on swimmers shall be avoided. The design shall minimize any possible occurrence of condensation. Humidity shall be controlled within fifty to sixty per cent.
(3) Backwash and drainage sumps. An adequately sized floor sump or oversized drainage standpipe shall be provided to receive back wash and pool drainage flow. This sump or standpipe shall discharge to a sanitary sewer unless otherwise approved by the Ohio environmental protection agency.
(W) Equipment location.
(1) All pumps, filters and other mechanical and electrical equipment for public swimming pools, public spas, and special use pools shall be located in such a manner as to be accessible only to authorized persons and not to bathers. Adequate floor space shall be provided to ensure ease of access and maintenance to each piece of equipment.
(2) Floors shall be designed to provide positive drainage, to avoid any possible drainage into open filters or pump pits and to prevent the accumulation of any standing water.
(3) Lighting intensity shall be a minimum of twenty foot candles on the surface of equipment, controls and switches.
(4) An effective barrier at least thirty-six inches high from the floor or a cover shall be provided for all open filters or pits.
(5) A positive means of ventilation shall be provided for all recessed equipment locations.
Appendix A Recommended Standards For Swimming Pool Design And Operation (1982)
Great lakes-upper mississippi river board of public health and environmental managers
5.6
5.6.1
5.6.2
5.6.3
For Image — To obtain the appendix, table, image, etc. please call LSC’s ERF Helpdesk at 614-387-2078 or send an email to erfhelpdesk@lsc.state.oh.us.
MAX. BOARD MAX. DIVING D L-1 L-2 Pool
Height Board Width
Over Water Length
26”(2/3 Meter) 10’ 8’-6” 2’-6” 10’-0” 20’-0”
30”(3/4 Meter) 12 9’-0” 3’-0” 10’-0” 20’-0”
1 Meter 16’ 10’-0” 4’-0” 12’-0” 20’-0”
3 Meter 16’ 12’-0” 6’-0” 12’-0” 24’-0”
Placement of boards shall observe the following minimum dimensions. With multiple board installations minimum pool widths must be increased accordingly.
1 Meter or less board to pool side 10’-0”
3 Meter board to pool side 12’-0”
Distance between adjacent boards 10’-0”
Appendix B 1991 American National Standards for Public Swimming Pools (ANSI/NSP1 – 1)
Minimum Dimensions for Diving Portion of Pools
(This drawing does not show the shallow portion of the pool)
For Image — To obtain the appendix, table, image, etc. please call LSC’s ERF Helpdesk at 614-387-2078 or send an email to erfhelpdesk@lsc.state.oh.us.
RELATED DIVING EQUIPMENT
POOL MAX. DIVING MAX. BOARD MINIMUM DIMENSIONS MINIMUM
TYPE BOARD HGT WIDTH OF POOL AT:
LENGTH OVER WATER D
1 D2 R L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 PT. A PT. B PT. C
VIII 16’ 1 Meter (2.59m) (3.05m) (2.13m) (1.22m) (3.05m) (4.57m) (.61m) (9.45m) (6.10m) (6.71m) (6.71m)
8’-6” 10’-0” 7’-0” 4’-0” 10’-0” 15’-0” 2’-0” 31’-0” 20’-0” 22’-0” 22’-0”
IX 16’ 3 Meter (3.35m) (3.65m) (2.59m) (1.83m) (3.20m) (6.40m) (11.43m) (6.70m) (7.32m) (7.32m)
11’-0” 12’-0” 8’-6” 6’-0” 10’-6” 21’-0” 0 37’-6” 22’-0” 24-0” 24’-0”
Note: placement of boards shall observe the following minimum dimensions. With multiple board installations minimum pool widths must be increased accordingly.
3 Meter board to pool side 11’ (3.35m)
1 Meter board or deck level board to 3 Meter board 10’ (3.05m)
3 Meter to another 3 Meter board 10’ (3.05m)
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 07/02/2008 and 07/01/2013
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3749.02
Rule Amplifies: 3749.03, 3749.04, 3749.05
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/1977, 1/1/91, 1/1/92, 1/1/94, 1/1/99, 6/12/00, 1/1/04