Article 7. Public Swimming Pools
Sections:
16-7.1 Applicability.
16-7.2 General.
16-7.3 Construction details.
16-7.4 Illumination.
16-7.5 Filtration and circulation.
16-7.6 Chemical feeding and regulating equipment.
16-7.7 Lifesaving equipment.
16-7.8 Heaters.
16-7.9 Fences and other protective devices.
16-7.10 Violation--Penalty.
Sec. 16-7.1 Applicability.
(a) These provisions are applicable to the design and construction of public swimming and
wading pools.
(b) Those pools covered by these regulations include municipal, institutional, hotel, apartment and pools
of similar type usage; and hydrotherapy spas, therapeutic pools and special pools of
similar type usage. Not covered are swimming pools, spas and hot tubs for
one-family and two-family dwelling, and similar type pools; and ornamental pools.
(c) All provisions of the building, electrical and plumbing codes shall be applicable unless
indicated otherwise in this article. Although exempted from this article, private residential pools
shall also comply with the building, electrical and plumbing codes.
(Added by Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.2 General.
(a) Building Permit Required. No person shall install any swimming pool or cause the
foregoing to be done without first obtaining a building permit.
(b) Plans and Specifications. Plans, engineering calculations and other data shall be submitted with
each application for a permit and shall be prepared by an engineer or
architect licensed by the State of Hawaii.
(Added by Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.3 Construction details.
(a) Materials.
(1) All pools and all appurtenances thereto shall be constructed of impervious and durable
materials which are nontoxic, which can withstand the design stresses, and which will
provide a watertight structure with a smooth and easily cleaned surface.
(2) The surfaces within the pool intended to provide footing for bathers shall be
designed to provide a slip-resistant surface.
EXCEPTION. Tile, manufactured rock, stone or similar materials may be applied over the
pool structure as a decoration treatment. Materials to be allowed under this exception
shall conform to other provisions of this section except they need not be
impervious or watertight.
(b) Water Depth.
(1) Swimming pools shall have a minimum depth of water in the shallow end
of three feet. Wading pools shall have a maximum water depth of 24
inches. The water depth at the perimeter of wading pools shall not exceed
18 inches. Exceptions to depth requirements may be made for hydrotherapy spas, therapeutic
pools and other special condition pools as approved by the building official.
(2) The depth of water in feet and inches shall be plainly marked above
the water surface on the vertical pool wall and/or on top of the
deck edge within 18 inches of the water edge at all major deviations
of pool depth. Depth marking shall have a four-inch minimum height, be slip-resistant
and spaced at not more than 25-foot intervals.
(c) Slope of Pool Floor. The slope of the pool floor from the shallow
end wall towards the deep end shall not exceed one in 10 (1:10)
to the point of the first slope change. The slope of the floor
from the first slope change to the deep end shall not exceed one
in three (1:3).
(d) Pool Shape. No limits are specified for the shape of swimming pools except
that consideration shall be given to the shape from the standpoint of safety
and adequate circulation of the swimming pool water. There shall be no protrusions,
means of entanglement or other obstructions in the swimming pool which can cause
the entrapment of the bather.
(e) Handholds, Egress and Entry.
(1) All swimming pools shall be provided with handholds (coping edge, rings, ledges, secured
rope or similar devices) around the perimeter installed in areas where depths exceed
three feet six inches, no further apart than four feet and not greater
than 12 inches above the waterline. Where perimeter overflow systems are not provided,
a handhold, cantilevered deck edge or materials equivalent in strength and durability with
rounded, slip-resistant edges shall be provided.
(2) Adequate means of entry to and egress from swimming pools shall be provided
utilizing stairs, ladders, ledges, recessed steps or other approved means.
(f) Decks, Walkways and Ramps. Decks, walkways, ramps and similar surfaces shall be slip-resistant
and sloped to provide adequate drainage away from the pool.
(Added by Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.4 Illumination.
Illumination of the pool interior shall be provided for night use with not
less than 0.50 watts per square foot of pool surface area. (Added by
Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.5 Filtration and circulation.
(a) All pools shall be provided with a recirculation system adequate in its design
to provide uniform circulation of the water and rated flows for proper filtration.
(b) At least one drain shall be provided at the lowest point of pool
floor and shall be of the anti-vortex type or otherwise designed to prevent
being blocked by a bather.
(c) The materials utilized in the recirculation system shall be of nontoxic material, resistant
to corrosion and able to withstand operating pressures.
(d) The recirculation and filtration equipment for swimming pools shall be sized to turn
over the entire pool water capacity at least once every six hours. The
equipment for wading pools shall be sized for a two-hour turnover. The equipment
for hydrotherapy spas, therapeutic pools and special pools of similar type usage shall
be sized for a 30-minute turnover.
(e) A pressure gauge and rate of flow indicator as a means of indicating
system condition shall be provided in the circulation system at easily readable locations.
(f) An overflow collection system (gutters), automatic surface skimmers or other approved collection systems
shall be installed on all pools covered by these regulations.
(g) Filtration backwash water shall be discharged to sanitary sewer, dry well or injection
well. Pool drain water shall be discharged to storm drain, dry well, injection
well or surface areas within owner's property.
(Added by Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.6 Chemical feeding and regulating equipment.
(a) All swimming pools shall be provided with adequate and appropriate chemical feeding and
regulating equipment capable of precisely feeding the required quantity of disinfecting agent to
the pool water. Chemical feeders shall be installed downstream of the pool filtration
and heating equipment and shall be electrically wired so they cannot operate unless
the pool recirculating pump is running.
(b) When compressed chlorine gas is used, the chlorine cylinders and chlorine mechanical proportioning
equipment shall be housed in a separate, corrosion-resistant, mechanically-vented enclosure, which is reasonably
resistant to gas leakage. Access to the chlorination room shall be from the
exterior. The mechanical ventilation system shall exhaust at least four CFM per square
foot of floor space with exhaust intake at floor level. Automatic louvers near
the top and bottom of the room for admitting air shall be provided.
The chlorine exhaust vent shall terminate at least 10 feet above the ground
and pool deck area. Electrical switches for the control of artificial lighting and
ventilation equipment shall be located on the outside of the enclosure adjacent to
the door. Gas masks approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health shall be accessible outside the chlorine enclosure.
(Added by Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.7 Lifesaving equipment.
One unit of lifesaving equipment shall be provided for each 2,000 square feet
of swimming pool area and shall consist of:
(a) A ring buoy with a minimum outside diameter of 24 inches to which
shall be attached a length of one-quarter-inch rope not less than one and
one-half times the maximum width of the pool.
(b) A shepherd's crook with minimum length handle of 12 feet.
(c) Where no lifeguard is provided, a warning sign shall be placed in plain
view and shall state "Warning -- No Lifeguard on Duty" with letters at
least four inches high.
(Added by Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.8 Heaters.
Heaters shall comply with the electrical and plumbing codes and shall be installed
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Water heaters exceeding 200,000 BTUs per hour
shall comply with Chapters 220-223, Title 12, Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, State
of Hawaii. (Added by Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.9 Fences and other protective devices.
(a) Every person in possession of land, either as owner, lessee, tenant or licensee,
upon which is situated a swimming or wading pool which contains water 18
inches or more in depth at any point shall erect and maintain thereon
a fence, wall, building or other enclosure completely surrounding such pool or the
property on which the pool is situated, sufficient to make the pool inaccessible
to small children. Such fence, wall or other enclosure, including gates, shall be
at least four and one-half feet high.
EXCEPTION: The provisions of this section shall not apply to any swimming, dipping,
or wading pool on the premises of a hotel as defined in the
land use ordinance.
(b) All gates or doors must be self-closing and equipped with a self-latching device
capable of keeping such gate or door securely closed, with latches placed at
least four feet above ground or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to
small children.
(Added by Ord. 90-57)
Sec. 16-7.10 Violation--Penalty.
For violation and penalty provisions, see Article 10 of this chapter. (Added by
Ord. 90-57)
Revised Ordinances