Minnesota Administrative Rules

1341.1100 A117.1 CHAPTER 11, SWIMMING POOLS, WADING POOLS, SPAS, SAUNAS, AND STEAM ROOMS.

A117.1 is amended by adding a chapter to read as follows:

CHAPTER 11

SWIMMING POOLS, WADING POOLS, SPAS,

SAUNAS, AND STEAM ROOMS

1101

GENERAL

1101.1 Scoping. Swimming pools, wading pools, spas, saunas, and steam rooms required to be accessible shall comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter.

1102

POOL LIFTS

1102.1 General. Pool lifts shall comply with Section 1102.

1102.2 Pool Lift Location. Pool lifts shall be located where the water level does not exceed 48 inches (1220 mm).

Exceptions:

1. Where the entire pool depth is greater than 48 inches (1220 mm), compliance with Section 1102.2 shall not be required.

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 is 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum.

1102.3 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.

1102.4 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.

1102.5 Seat Height. The height of the lift seat shall be 16 inches (405 mm) minimum and 19 inches (485 mm) maximum measured from the deck to the top of the seat surface when in the raised (load) position.

1102.6 Seat. The seat shall be 16 inches (405 mm) minimum wide, provide a back rest, and be of a firm and stable design.

1102.7 Footrests and Armrests. Footrests shall be provided and shall move with the seat. If provided, the armrest positioned opposite the water shall be removable or shall fold clear of the seat when the seat is in the raised (load) position.

Exception: Footrests shall not be required on pool lifts provided in spas.

1102.8 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 Section 309.4.

1102.9 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.

1102.10 Lifting Capacity. Single person pool lifts shall have a weight capacity of 300 pounds (136 kg) minimum and be capable of sustaining a static load of at least 1-1/2 times the rated load.

1103

SLOPED ENTRIES

1103.1 General. Sloped entries shall comply with Section 1103.

1103.2 Sloped entries. Sloped entries shall comply with Section 402, except as modified in Sections 1103.2 through 1103.4.

Exception: Where sloped entries are provided, the surfaces shall not be required to be slip resistant.

1103.3 Submerged depth. Sloped entries shall extend to a depth of 24 inches (610 mm) minimum and 30 inches (760 mm) maximum below the stationary water level. Where landings are required by Section 405.7, at least one landing shall be located 24 inches (610 mm) minimum and 30 inches (760 mm) maximum below the stationary water level.

Exception: In wading pools, the sloped entry and landings, if provided, shall extend to the deepest part of the wading pool.

1103.4 Handrails. At least two handrails complying with Section 505 shall be provided on the sloped entry. The clear width between handrails shall be 33 inches (840 mm) minimum and 38 inches (965 mm) maximum.

Exceptions:

1. Handrail extensions specified by Section 505.10.1 shall not be required at the bottom landing serving a sloped entry.

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 handrails shall not be required to comply with the clear width requirements of Section 1103.4.

3. Sloped entries in wading pools shall not be required to provide handrails complying with Section 1103.4. If provided, handrails on sloped entries in wading pools shall not be required to comply with Section 505.

1104

TRANSFER WALLS

1104.1 General. Transfer walls shall comply with Section 1104.

1104.2 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 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.

1104.3 Height. The height of the transfer wall shall be 16 inches (405 mm) minimum and 19 inches (485 mm) maximum measured from the deck.

1104.4 Wall Depth and Length. The depth of the transfer wall shall be 12 inches (305 mm) minimum and 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.

1104.5 Surface. Surfaces of transfer walls shall not be sharp and shall have rounded edges.

1104.6 Grab Bars. At least one grab bar complying with Section 609 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 transfer 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.

Exception: Grab bars on transfer walls shall not be required to comply with Section 609.4.

1105

TRANSFER SYSTEMS

1105.1 General. Transfer systems shall comply with Section 1105.

1105.2 Transfer Platform. A transfer platform shall be provided at the head of each transfer system. Transfer platforms shall provide 19 inches (485 mm) minimum clear depth and 24 inches (610 mm) minimum clear width.

1105.3 Transfer Space. A transfer 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 side of the transfer platform. The side of the transfer platform serving the transfer space shall be unobstructed.

1105.4 Height. The height of the transfer platform shall comply with Section 1104.3.

1105.5 Transfer Steps. Transfer step height shall be 8 inches (205 mm) maximum. The surface of the bottom tread shall extend to a water depth of 18 inches (455 mm) minimum below the stationary water level.

1105.6 Surface. The surface of the transfer system shall not be sharp and shall have rounded edges.

1105.7 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.

1105.8 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 a grab bar is provided on each step, the tops of gripping surfaces 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 Section 609 and be located on at least one side of the transfer system. The grab bar located at the transfer platform shall not obstruct transfer.

Exception: Grab bars on transfer systems shall not be required to comply with Section 609.4.

1106

POOL STAIRS

1106.1 General. Pool stairs shall comply with Section 1106.

1106.2 Pool Stairs. Pool stairs shall comply with Sections 504.2 through 504.6.

Exception: Pool step riser heights shall not be required to be 4 inches (100 mm) high minimum and 7 inches (180 mm) high maximum provided that riser heights are uniform.

1106.3 Handrails. The width between handrails shall be 20 inches (510 mm) minimum and 24 inches (610 mm) maximum. Handrail extensions required by Section 505.10.3 shall not be required on pool stairs.

1107

SAUNAS AND STEAM ROOMS

1107.1 General. Saunas and steam rooms shall comply with Section 1107.

1107.2 Bench. Where seating is provided in saunas and steam rooms, at least one bench shall comply with Section 903. Doors shall not swing into the clear floor space required by Section 903.2.

Exception: A readily removable bench shall be permitted to obstruct the turning space required by Section 1107.3 and the clear floor space required by Section 903.2.

1107.3 Turning Space. A turning space complying with Section 304 shall be provided within saunas and steam rooms.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 16B.37; 16B.59 to 16B.76; 326B.101 to 326B.194

History:

32 SR 9; L 2007 c 140 art 4 s 61; art 13 s 4; L 2008 c 337 s 64

Published Electronically:

February 23, 2009