Regulation .16 Standards for Water Recreational Attractions.
Regulation .16 Standards for Water Recreational Attractions.LinkCopy Citation
An owner shall ensure that:
A.
A water recreational attraction:
(1)
Is designed to eliminate or minimize safety hazards such as entrapment, slipping, abrasions, cuts, falls, trip hazards, impact injury, and drowning;
(2)
Is in compliance with applicable State and local codes and this chapter; and
(3)
Has a communication system for use by supervisors, watchers, and lifeguards;
B.
Plans for supervision, attendants, and lifeguards are submitted as part of the construction plans and include safety personnel at all potentially hazardous activity areas;
C.
A swimming pool slide is in conformance with the American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools and has:
(1)
Attachments that firmly anchor the swimming pool slide;
(2)
At the end of the slide a minimum water depth of:
(a)
4 feet, or a water depth in conformance with the manufacturer's installation instructions, for a distance of 10 feet along the slide centerline for a swimming pool slide that does not slow an individual's entry into the water or that drops the individual into the water; or
(b)
6 inches, or a water depth in conformance with the manufacturer's installation instructions, for a swimming pool slide designed to slow an individual to a near stop at the end of the slide;
(3)
A cushioned landing mat below the end of a swimming pool slide if there is a potential for impact or abrasion injury;
(4)
A centerline distance from the end of a slide to a wall, lifeline, transition point, centerline from another slide, or obstruction that eliminates the potential for an individual using the slide to strike a wall, lifeline, transition point, an individual using another slide, or an obstruction;
(5)
A minimum side distance of 4 feet from the centerline of a slide to a wall, lifeline, transition point, or obstruction;
(6)
A design that eliminates the potential for an individual to strike the pool deck or coping while traveling down the swimming pool slide;
(7)
A slide end that extends beyond the pool wall, deck, and coping; and
(8)
A minimum side distance of 12 feet between the centerline of a slide and a diving board, diving platform, or starting block;
D.
A water slide:
(1)
Complies with the conditions set forth at COMAR 09.12.63 as evidenced by written documentation from:
(a)
The Maryland Department of Labor; or
(b)
If the water slide is not subject to regulation by the Maryland Department of Labor, a registered professional engineer who certifies that the water slide meets the design criteria set forth at COMAR 09.12.63.07; and
(2)
Exits to a plunge pool or slide runout;
E.
A wave pool is provided with an emergency shut-off switch at each guard station;
F.
A tube ride has designated entry and exit points;
G.
A spray pool has:
(1)
A bottom that slopes from 1/4 inch per foot to 5/8 inch per foot to a drain with grate;
(2)
No standing water; and
(3)
No obstruction less than 4 feet in height;
H.
A single-lane pool used for swimming laps has:
(1)
A minimum width of 7 1/2 feet; and
(2)
A sign on the deck that reads, “Warning: No Diving—Shallow Water” if the water depth is 5 feet or less;
I.
A decorative fountain or waterfall installed in or connected to a pool or spa does not create a health or safety hazard;
J.
A spray fixture, fountain, piece of play equipment, bridge, ramp, stair, float, swing, or other recreational equipment located within a pool or spa:
(1)
Is designed to eliminate or minimize safety hazards such as entrapment, concealment, slipping, abrasions, cuts, punctures, falls, trip hazards, impact injury, and drowning;
(2)
Is limited to a shallow water area;
(3)
Has a color that contrasts with the pool or spa so that the structure is highly visible;
(4)
Has pipes or support columns that are at least 6 inches in diameter;
(5)
Is provided with an overhead clearance of at least 7 feet from the pool floor and 4 feet from the water surface where a person may walk under the fixture;
(6)
Is provided with recirculated, treated pool water for a spray, stream, or other flow of water; and
(7)
Is installed according to the manufacturer's directions;
K.
The water surface is maintained at a level that allows the surface overflow system to operate properly;
L.
At least two interconnected main drains are installed in the deepest part of a pool and are connected to the filtration system;
M.
A pump reservoir or surge tank is provided for a slide or water feature circulation pump intake and:
(1)
Is made of concrete or other impervious material with a smooth slip-resistant finish;
(2)
Has inlets through a weir or a gravity-fed drain with a secure grate;
(3)
Has a volume equal to 2 minutes of the combined flow of all pumps connected to the reservoir or tank;
(4)
Is accessible only to authorized individuals;
(5)
Has pump intakes located in the pump reservoir that are designed to allow cleaning without danger of entrapment; and
(6)
The water velocity through grate or drain openings does not exceed 2 feet per second;
N.
A slide or water feature circulation pump has a check valve on the discharge side; and
O.
Returns from a filtration system are placed to provide even and positive circulation and to eliminate any dead spots.