has not been incorporated in the Department of Justice accessibility standards and therefore is not enforceable.
Newly designed or newly constructed and altered recreation facilities shall comply with the applicable requirements of section 4 and the special application sections, except as modified or otherwise provided in this section. Appendix Note
15.8 Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas.
15.8.1 General. Newly designed or newly constructed and altered swimming pools, wading pools, and spas shall comply with 15.8.
EXCEPTION: An accessible route shall not be required to serve raised diving boards or diving platforms.
15.8.2* Swimming Pools. At least two accessible means of entry shall be provided for each public use and common use swimming pool. The primary means of entry shall comply with 15.8.5 (Swimming Pool Lifts) or 15.8.6 (Sloped Entries). The secondary means of entry shall comply with one of the following: 15.8.5 (Swimming Pool Lifts), 15.8.6 (Sloped Entries), 15.8.7 (Transfer Walls), 15.8.8 (Transfer Systems), or 15.8.9 (Pool Stairs). Appendix Note
EXCEPTION 1*: Where a swimming pool has less than 300 linear feet (91 m) of swimming pool wall, at least one accessible means of entry shall be provided and shall comply with 15.8.5 (Swimming Pool Lifts) or 15.8.6 (Sloped Entries). Appendix Note
EXCEPTION 2: Wave action pools, leisure rivers, sand bottom pools, and other pools where user access is limited to one area, shall provide at least one accessible means of entry that complies with 15.8.5 (Swimming Pool Lifts), 15.8.6 (Sloped Entries), or 15.8.8 (Transfer Systems).
EXCEPTION 3: Catch pools shall be required only to be served by an accessible route that connects to the pool edge.
15.8.3 Wading Pools. At least one accessible means of entry complying with 15.8.6 (Sloped Entries) shall be provided for each wading pool.
15.8.4 Spas. At least one accessible means of entry complying with 15.8.5 (Swimming Pool Lifts), 15.8.7 (Transfer Walls), or 15.8.8 (Transfer Systems) shall be provided for each spa.
EXCEPTION: Where spas are provided in a cluster, 5 percent, but not less than one, in each cluster shall be accessible.
15.8.5* Pool Lifts. Pool lifts shall comply with 15.8.5. Appendix Note
15.8.5.1 Pool Lift Location. Pool lifts shall be located where the water level does not exceed 48 inches (1220 mm).
EXCEPTION 1: Where the entire pool depth is greater than 48 inches (1220 mm), 15.8.5.1 shall not apply.
EXCEPTION 2: Where multiple pool lift locations are provided, no more than one shall be required to be located in an area where the water level does not exceed 48 inches (1220 mm).
15.8.5.2 Seat Location. In the raised position, the centerline of the seat shall be located over the deck and 16 inches (405 mm) minimum from the edge of the pool. The deck surface between the centerline of the seat and the pool edge shall have a slope not greater than 1:48 (see Fig. 68).
15.8.5.3 Clear Deck Space. On the side of the seat opposite the water, a clear deck space shall be provided parallel with the seat. The space shall be 36 inches (915 mm) wide minimum and shall extend forward 48 inches (1220 mm) minimum from a line located 12 inches (305 mm) behind the rear edge of the seat. The clear deck space shall have a slope not greater than 1:48 (see Fig. 69).
15.8.5.4 Seat Height. The height of the lift seat shall be designed to allow a stop at 16 inches (405 mm) minimum to 19 inches (485 mm) maximum measured from the deck to the top of the seat surface when in the raised (load) position (see Fig. 70).
15.8.5.5 Seat Width. The seat shall be 16 inches (405 mm) minimum wide.
15.8.5.6* Footrests and Armrests. Footrests shall be provided and shall move with the seat. If provided, armrests positioned opposite the water shall be removable or shall fold clear of the seat when the seat is in the raised (load) position. Appendix Note
EXCEPTION: Footrests shall not be required on pool lifts provided in spas.
15.8.5.7* Operation. The lift shall be capable of unassisted operation from both the deck and water levels. Controls and operating mechanisms shall be unobstructed when the lift is in use and shall comply with 4.27.4. Appendix Note
15.8.5.8 Submerged Depth. The lift shall be designed so that the seat will submerge to a water depth of 18 inches (455 mm) minimum below the stationary water level (see Fig. 71).
15.8.5.9* Lifting Capacity. Single person pool lifts shall have a minimum weight capacity of 300 lbs. (136 kg) and be capable of sustaining a static load of at least one and a half times the rated load. Appendix Note
15.8.6 Sloped Entries. Sloped entries designed to provide access into the water shall comply with 15.8.6.
15.8.6.1* Sloped Entries. Sloped entries shall comply with 4.3, except as modified below. Appendix Note
EXCEPTION: Where sloped entries are provided, the surfaces shall not be required to be slip resistant.
15.8.6.2 Submerged Depth. Sloped entries shall extend to a depth of 24 inches (610 mm) minimum to 30 inches (760 mm) maximum below the stationary water level. Where landings are required by 4.8, at least one landing shall be located 24 inches (610 mm) minimum to 30 inches (760 mm) maximum below the stationary water level (see Fig. 72).
EXCEPTION: In wading pools, the sloped entry and landings, if provided, shall extend to the deepest part of the wading pool.
15.8.6.3* Handrails. Handrails shall be provided on both sides of the sloped entry and shall comply with 4.8.5. The clear width between handrails shall be 33 inches (840 mm) minimum and 38 inches (965 mm) maximum (see Fig. 73). Appendix Note
EXCEPTION 1: Handrail extensions specified by 4.8.5 shall not be required at the bottom landing serving a sloped entry.
EXCEPTION 2: Where a sloped entry is provided for wave action pools, leisure rivers, sand bottom pools, and other pools where user access is limited to one area, the required clear width between handrails shall not apply.
EXCEPTION 3: The handrail requirements of 4.8.5 and 15.8.6.3 shall not be required on sloped entries in wading pools.
15.8.7 Transfer Walls. Transfer walls shall comply with 15.8.7.
15.8.7.1 Clear Deck Space. A clear deck space of 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum by 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum with a slope not steeper than 1:48 shall be provided at the base of the transfer wall. Where one grab bar is provided, the clear deck space shall be centered on the grab bar. Where two grab bars are provided, the clear deck space shall be centered on the clearance between the grab bars (see Fig. 74).
15.8.7.2 Height. The height of the transfer wall shall be 16 inches (405 mm) minimum to 19 inches (485 mm) maximum measured from the deck (see Fig. 75).
15.8.7.3 Wall Depth and Length. The depth of the transfer wall shall be 12 inches (305 mm) minimum to 16 inches (405 mm) maximum. The length of the transfer wall shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum and shall be centered on the clear deck space (see Fig. 76).
15.8.7.4 Surface. Surfaces of transfer walls shall not be sharp and shall have rounded edges.
15.8.7.5 Grab Bars. At least one grab bar shall be provided on the transfer wall. Grab bars shall be perpendicular to the pool wall and shall extend the full depth of the transfer wall. The top of the gripping surface shall be 4 inches (100 mm) minimum and 6 inches (150 mm) maximum above walls. Where one grab bar is provided, clearance shall be 24 inches (610 mm) minimum on both sides of the grab bar. Where two grab bars are provided, clearance between grab bars shall be 24 inches (610 mm) minimum. Grab bars shall comply with 4.26 (see Fig. 77).
15.8.8 Transfer Systems. Transfer systems shall comply with 15.8.8.
15.8.8.1 Transfer Platform. A transfer platform 19 inches (485 mm) minimum clear depth by 24 inches (610 mm) minimum clear width shall be provided at the head of each transfer system (see Fig. 78).
15.8.8.2 Clear Deck Space. A clear deck space of 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum by 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum with a slope not steeper than 1:48 shall be provided at the base of the transfer platform surface and shall be centered along a 24 inch (610 mm) minimum unobstructed side of the transfer platform (see Fig. 79).
15.8.8.3 Height. The height of the transfer platform shall comply with 15.8.7.2.
15.8.8.4* Transfer Steps. Transfer step height shall be 8 inches (205 mm) maximum. Transfer steps shall extend to a water depth of 18 inches (455 mm) minimum below the stationary water level (see Fig. 80). Appendix Note
15.8.8.5 Surface. The surface of the transfer system shall not be sharp and shall have rounded edges.
15.8.8.6 Size. Each transfer step shall have a tread clear depth of 14 inches (355 mm) minimum and 17 inches (430 mm) maximum and shall have a tread clear width of 24 inches (610 mm) minimum (see Fig. 81).
15.8.8.7* Grab Bars. At least one grab bar on each transfer step and the transfer platform, or a continuous grab bar serving each transfer step and the transfer platform, shall be provided. Where provided, the top of the gripping surface shall be 4 inches (100 mm) minimum and 6 inches (150 mm) maximum above each step and transfer platform. Where a continuous grab bar is provided, the top of the gripping surface shall be 4 inches (100 mm) minimum and 6 inches (150 mm) maximum above the step nosing and transfer platform. Grab bars shall comply with 4.26 and be located on at least one side of the transfer system. The grab bar located at the transfer platform shall not obstruct transfer (see Fig. 82). Appendix Note
15.8.9 Pool Stairs. Pool stairs shall comply with 15.8.9.
15.8.9.1 Pool Stairs. Pool stairs shall comply with 4.9, except as modified below.
15.8.9.2 Handrails. The width between handrails shall be 20 inches (510 mm) minimum and 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. Handrail extensions required by 4.9.4 shall not be required at the bottom landing serving a pool stair.
15.8.10* Water Play Components. Where water play components are provided, the provisions of 15.6 and 4.3 shall apply, except as modified or otherwise provided in this section. Appendix Note
EXCEPTION 1: Where the surface of the accessible route, clear floor or ground spaces and maneuvering spaces connecting play components is submerged, the provisions of 15.6 and 4.3 for cross slope, running slope, and surface shall not apply.
EXCEPTION 2: Transfer systems complying with 15.6.5 shall be permitted to be used in lieu of ramps to connect elevated play components.