Section 390.12. Entries and exits, stairs, ladders, swimouts and benches.

 

(1)   Entries and exits. The minimum number, type and location of entries and exits shall be in accordance with Table 390.12-1.

Table 390.12-1

Entry and Exit Locations and Type - See PDF for table

a Travel to stairs is measured as the most direct path within the basin.

b Emergency exits may be permitted with written approval of the department.

(2)   Zero-depth and shallow entries.

(a) Except as permitted in par. (b) stairs, ladders, recessed treads and swimouts may serve as acceptable entries and exits.

(b) Where the distance from the pool floor to deck surface is 24 inches or less, such areas shall be considered as providing their own natural mode for entry and exit.

(3)   Stairs and handrails.

(a) Stairways.

1. Stairways shall be located only in areas of the basin with less than 5 feet of water depth.

2. Stairways shall be recessed so as not to protrude onto the basin floor.

3. All risers at the centerline shall have a maximum uniform height of 10 inches.

4. All treads shall have a minimum depth of 10 inches.

5. Stairways shall have a minimum width of 17 inches.

6. All treads shall have a minimum unobstructed surface area of 240 square inches.

7. Except as permitted in subd. 8. , treads may not project beyond the face of the riser.

8. The maximum cantilevered coping at the deck level is one inch.

9.

a. Except as required in subd. 9. b. , stairways shall extend to the basin floor.

b. When stairways are located in a water depth over 4 feet, the lowest tread shall not be more than 4 feet below the deck.

10. The bottom riser height shall be allowed to vary from the other risers as may be required to meet the floor.

11. The leading edge of all steps shall be distinguished by a color contrasting with the color of the steps and pool floor.

12. All step corners shall be rounded to a radius of 1/2 inch.

(b) Handrails .

1. Handrails shall be provided for all stairways and ramps.

2. Handrails shall be located between 30 and 34 inches above the ramp surface or nosing of the stair treads.

3. Handrails shall be a maximum of 8 feet apart at deck level.

4. Handrails shall return to the pool wall, guard or deck or shall be continuous to the handrail of an adjacent stair.

5. Handrails shall be made of corrosion resistant materials.

6. Handrails shall be securely anchored.

7. Handrails shall be installed so they cannot be removed without the use of tools.

8. The leading edge of stair tread-mounted handrails shall be located on the bottom tread.

9. The leading edge of entirely deck-mounted handrails shall be located so as to extend to within 3 inches of the vertical plane of the bottom riser.

10. The outside diameter of handrails shall be a minimum of 1-1/4 inches and may not exceed 1-15/16 inches.

11. There shall be at least 3 inches but not more than 6 inches clearance between the pool wall and the handrail.

(4)   Ladders.

(a) Ladders shall be provided with two handrails.

(b) There shall be at least 3 but not more than 6 inches clearance between the basin wall and the ladder.

(c) The distance between ladder handrails shall be 17 inches minimum and 24 inches maximum.

(d) There shall be a uniform distance between ladder treads with a 7-inch minimum distance and 12-inch maximum distance.

(e) Ladder treads shall have a minimum horizontal uniform depth of 2 inches.

(5)   Recessed treads.

(a) Recessed treads in a basin wall shall have a uniform vertical spacing of no less than 7 inches and no greater than 12 inches measured at the centerline.

(b) The vertical distance between the pool coping edge, deck or step surface and the uppermost recessed tread shall be 12 inches maximum.

(c) Recessed treads shall have a depth of no less than 5 inches and width of no less than 12 inches.

(d) Recessed treads shall drain into the pool.

(e) Recessed treads shall be provided with a handrail on each side of the treads.

(6)   Swimouts.

(a) The horizontal surface of a swimout may not be greater than 20 inches below the waterline.

(b) A minimum unobstructed surface equal to that required for a stair under sub. (5) shall be provided in a swimout.

(c) The leading edge of a swimout shall be visually set apart with a marking color to contrast with the swimout.

(d) A swimout may occupy no more than 20 percent of the perimeter of the basin.

(e) The horizontal surface of a swimout may extend no further than 48 inches from the main basin wall.

(7)   Underwater seats and benches .

(a) Underwater seats and benches shall be located in a recessed area to eliminate any protrusion beyond the main basin wall except in whirlpools and cold soak pools.

(b)

1. The width of the bench seat may not exceed 18 inches.

2. The depth of the water above the bench seat may not exceed 20 inches.

(c) The surface of all underwater seats and benches shall be of a color in distinct contrast to the color of the surrounding basin or have a 2-inch leading edge of contrasting boundary line.

(d) The words "bench below" shall be placed on the deck at the edge of the basin at the bench area in a color in distinct contrast to the deck background.

(e) Underwater seats and benches may not be considered an entry or exit.

(8)   Lift chairs. Water supply outlets serving lift chairs shall terminate within 18 inches of the chair's support post.

CR 08-056 : cr. Register February 2009 No. 638 , eff. 3-1-09; correction in (1), Table 390.12-1 made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672 .

Note

See ch. SPS 390 Appendix for further clarification of deck-mounted handrail installation. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1