TITLE 7 HEALTH
CHAPTER 18 SWIMMING
POOLS
PART 3 PUBLIC
SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS AND BATHS: DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
7.18.3.1 ISSUING
AGENCY: New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board.
[7.18.3.1 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.1
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.2 SCOPE:
Owners and operators of public swimming pools, public spas, public baths, or
other public bathing attractions.
[7.18.3.2 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.2
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.3 STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: NMSA 1978, Sections 74-1-1 through 74-1-16.
[7.18.3.3 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.3
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.4 DURATION: Permanent.
[7.18.3.4 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.4 NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.5 EFFECTIVE
DATE: 07/30/08, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.
[7.18.3.5 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.5
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.6 OBJECTIVE:
To protect the public health and safety by establishing standards and
provisions for the regulation of public swimming pools, spas, baths, and other
public bathing attractions.
[7.18.3.6 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.6
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.7 DEFINITIONS:
Unless otherwise defined in the public swimming pool rules, the words and
phrases used in this rule have the same meanings as in 7.18.2.7 NMAC, Public
Swimming Pools, Spas and Baths: General Provisions.
[7.18.3.7 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.7
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.8 ADOPTION
BY REFERENCE: Outside standards, listings and publications referenced in
this regulation are incorporated as part of this regulation.
[7.18.3.8 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.8
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.9 ENFORCEMENT
AUTHORITY:
A. Private pools shall not be
subject to the provisions of this rule or to 7.18.2 through 7.18.5 NMAC.
B. Department representatives shall
be responsible for the enforcement of this regulation.
[7.18.3.9 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.9
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.10 General and Structural Design:
A. Public pools and all appurtenances
shall be constructed of materials that:
(1) are nontoxic to
humans and the environment;
(2) are impervious and durable;
(3) will withstand design stresses, and
(4) will provide a
watertight structure with a smooth and easily cleanable surface without cracks
or joints, excluding structural joints.
B. The department may require
demonstration of structural integrity from a structural engineer licensed in
the state of New Mexico.
C. The structural design and materials
used for public pools shall be in accordance with the rules, regulations and
generally accepted industry engineering practices and methods prevailing at the
time of original construction.
D. The interior surfaces of a public
pool or bath that are filled with or designed to contain water shall not be
made of wood. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to public pools or
baths constructed or modified after the effective date of these
rules.
E. Equipment for a public pool
including, but not limited to, pumps, filters, skimmers and chemical feeders
shall be NSF/ANSI 50 certified. Pool
equipment shall bear the mark of an ANSI-accredited, independent, third party
conformity assessment organization such as the NSF, underwriters
laboratories, inc. (UL), edison testing laboratories
(ETL) or other organizations acceptable to the department.
F. The use of earth to finish the
interior surface of the public pool, which is filled with or designed to
contain water, is prohibited. Washed
sand or other department-approved material, if applied to create a beach pool
environment shall only be applied over an impervious interior public pool
surface. The interior material shall be appropriate for pool use, and
controlled to not adversely affect the proper filtration, disinfection,
maintenance, safety, sanitation, water clarity and operation of the pool. If washed sand or department approved
material is used, positive up flow circulation through the material shall be
provided as necessary to assure that sanitary conditions are maintained at all
times.
G. The colors, patterns, or finishes of
the interior surfaces that contain water shall not obscure the existence or
presence of objects or surfaces within the public pool or bath. All new public pool interior finishes shall
be white or lightly colored except for:
(1) decorative wall
tiles and depth markings when such tiles are installed at the top of the pool
wall;
(2) racing lane
markings (painted or tiled, maximum twelve inches wide);
(3) turn targets;
(4) safety markers;
and,
(5) other decorative
items as approved by the department.
H. A hydrostatic relief valve or a more
extensive hydrostatic relief system shall be installed if necessary to prevent
ground water pressure from displacing or otherwise damaging a pool or spa.
I. The surfaces within a pool,
intended to provide footing for users, shall have a slip-resistant surface to
reduce the chance of a fall.
(1) The
roughness or irregularity of such surfaces shall not cause injury to the feet
during normal use.
(2) Decorative floor tiles shall be sized,
installed and maintained so as to not create a safety hazard.
J. Roofs or canopies over pools shall
be constructed so that water run-off, dirt, debris, or other forms of pollution
do not drain or fall into the pool.
K. All plumbing shall be sized,
installed and maintained according to applicable state regulations and local
plumbing codes. Pool owners and
operators shall provide the department with written evidence of compliance with
all plumbing codes from a licensed plumbing inspector.
L. All electrical wiring, equipment and
installation, including the grounding of pool components shall conform to all
applicable state regulations and local electrical codes. Pool owners and operators shall provide the
department with written evidence of compliance with all electrical codes from a
licensed electrical inspector.
M. Any public pool that is designed or
used for more than one use or classification as defined by the public swimming
pool rules, 7.18.2 through 7.18.5 NMAC, shall comply with the most stringent requirements in the public swimming
pool rules.
N. Public pools shall comply with Title 42, Sections 12101 et. seq. of the United States Code,
the Americans with Disabilities Act.
O. When a public pool, spa or bath is modified it shall
comply with the provisions of the public swimming pool rules’, 7.18.2 through
7.18.5 NMAC, unless otherwise specified in these rules.
[7.18.3.10 NMAC -
Rp, 7.18.3.10 NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.11 Dimensions:
A. This section shall apply to all new
construction and public pools where the interior wall surface or bottom of the public pool is being modified.
Existing pools shall comply with the provision in effect at the time of
original construction or the rule in effect at the time of the modification,
whichever is more stringent.
B. Public
pools shall have no sharp edges or protrusions where walls meet at an acute
angle. Public pools shall be shaped to
provide for complete water recirculation and mixing.
C. There shall be no interior walls,
ledges or curbs within the perimeter walls of a public pool.
D. The inside wall surface of a pool
shall be vertical, except where coved construction is used between the
sidewalls and the bottom of the pool.
(1) In coved construction, the radius of
curvature in an area less than five feet deep shall not exceed six inches at a
depth of three feet six inches and shall not exceed two feet at a depth of five
feet or greater.
(2) There shall be a uniform transition in the
cove throughout all depths of the pool.
E. The slope of the bottom of any part
of the pool shall not be more than one foot of fall for every twelve horizontal
feet where the water depth is no more than five feet and the slope shall be
constant throughout. Floor slopes in the
transition area between the deep and shallow portions of the pool shall not exceed
one foot of fall in three horizontal feet.
[7.18.3.11 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.11
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.12 Markings and Lifelines:
A. A lifeline shall be provided two
feet into the shallow portion of the pool from the break in grade between the
deep and shallow portions of the pool. A
lifeline is not required where there is a uniform slope.
(1) The lifeline shall be securely fastened to
wall anchors. Wall anchors shall be of corrosion-resistant
materials and shall be recessed or have no projections which constitute safety
hazards when the lifeline is removed.
(2) The lifeline shall be marked with visible
floats at no greater than two foot intervals.
(3) The line shall be of sufficient size and
strength to offer a good handhold and to support loads normally imposed by
bathers;
(4) The lifeline shall remain in place except
when pool use is restricted to lap swimming by competent swimmers or to
supervised swimming instruction.
B. The break in grade of the pool
bottom shall be marked with a four inch minimum width of floor tile or painted
stripe of a color contrasting with the bottom, for the entire width of the
pool. Where there is a uniform slope, a
stripe is not required.
C. The depth of water (in feet) shall
be plainly and conspicuously marked above or at water level on the vertical
pool wall except for splash-out (deck level overflow) pools and on the top of
the coping or edge of the walk within eighteen inches of the water edge. Depth
markers shall be placed on each side and on each end of a pool.
(1) Depth markers shall be placed at the
maximum and minimum depth points and at one foot depth increments in between
the minimum and maximum depth points.
(2) Depth markings shall be spaced at no more
than fifteen foot intervals.
(3) Pools shall have depth markings at slope
breaks.
(4) Depth markings shall be at least four
inches in height and of a color contrasting with the background.
D. Public spa pools with a uniform
maximum depth shall have the maximum water depth indicated.
(1) Public spa pools providing perimeter
seating shall have contrasting permanent marking no less than two inches wide
on the top surface along the front leading edge of the bench.
(2) Public spa pools shall have depth markers
spaced at no more than ten foot intervals, but in no case fewer than two depth
markers per spa, regardless of the spa size or shape.
E. Non-slip markers, with the words
“No Diving” shall be placed between the depth markers on the walkway where the
water depth is less than five feet at a public pool other than a spa pool or a
wading pool. “No Diving” symbols that
are not less than four inches high shall be placed on the walkway together with
“No Diving” markers. Other locations for
symbols and markers may be approved by the department.
[7.18.3.12 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.12
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.13 Lighting:
A. Sufficient lighting shall be
provided to ensure visibility of all portions of the pool, including the
bottom, at all times. Owners shall
provide protective shielding for all lighting fixtures above walking surfaces
and pool areas.
B. All public pools shall have
underwater lighting of not less than 0.5 watts per square foot of pool water
surface area.
C. Area lighting shall provide a minimum of three (3) foot
candles of illumination level at the water surface and the deck. Area lighting
shall be directed to minimize glare on the pool water surface. If the pool is
closed after dark, the illumination level is permitted to be lowered to no less
than 3 foot-candles.
D. For pools built prior to the
effective date of the rules and where underwater lighting is not employed, the
pool water surface and the adjacent deck area shall have an illumination of no
less than fifteen (15) foot candles. If the pool is closed after dark, the
illumination level is permitted to be lowered to no less than 3 foot-candles.
[7.18.3.13 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.13
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.14 Indoor Pool Ventilation:
A. Ventilation shall be provided for
indoor public pools to minimize condensation and odors.
B. All newly constructed and modified
indoor public pools, except class D public pools, shall be constructed,
equipped and operated to maintain relative humidity levels between forty and
sixty percent at all times. Existing indoor public pools and baths shall
maintain a minimum of four air changes per hour.
C. For public pools and baths
constructed prior to the effective date of the rules, the indoor public pool
area shall be ventilated to the outside without returning air to the central
heating system, or air shall be recirculated through
a dehumidifying system. If water is
separated from the air for re-use in the pool, it shall be returned via the
circulation filtration system prior to entering the pool.
D. For all indoor public pools or hot
springs public baths, the building ventilation system shall prevent air in the
bathroom from drifting or flowing into other areas and the exhaust air from the
indoor public pool area shall not be vented to any ancillary facility.
E. The department may require indoor
public pools to install a relative humidity transmitter, or an approved
equivalent, to monitor the relative humidity.
[7.18.3.14 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.14, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.15 Ladders,
Recessed Steps, Stairways and Ramps:
A. All public pools, except for spray
pads or wading pools, shall have a ladder, set of
recessed steps or stairs located at fifty foot intervals around the pool
perimeter.
B. There shall be at least one set of
stairs at the shallow end of the pool, except in zero depth pools, and pools
exclusively used for competition events, wading pools, or spas less than
twenty-four inches deep.
C. Pools greater than thirty feet in
width shall provide recessed steps, ladders or stairs on both sides of the deep
area. There shall be at least one stairway at the shallow end of the pool. Ladders may be provided in lieu of stairs in
pools where depth is five feet or greater.
D. Ladder treads, recessed step
surfaces and stairs shall have slip-resistant surfaces.
(1) Ladders and recessed steps shall have two
handrails. The outside diameter of the ladder rail shall be between one inch
and two inches.
(2) Stairs shall have at least one handrail accessible
from all points on the stairs.
(3) There shall be a clearance of not more
than five inches or less than three inches between the ladder and the pool wall
below the water line.
E. If recessed steps are provided,
they shall be easy to clean and shall drain into the pool to prevent the
accumulation of dirt. Recessed steps
shall have a minimum tread of five inches and a minimum width of fourteen
inches.
F. Ladders, recessed steps and
stairways shall be located to not interfere with racing lanes.
G. Stair treads shall have a minimum
unobstructed horizontal tread depth of ten inches and a minimum unobstructed
surface area of two hundred forty square inches.
H. Riser heights on steps shall be
between seven and twelve inches and shall be uniform throughout except for the
bottom riser when used as a bench or seat.
I. Except for spa pools, steps for
entering or leaving the pool shall be a minimum of four feet wide, unless
corner or circular steps are used. If
corner or circular steps are used, the maximum radius of the bottom steps shall
be forty-two inches, but no projection shall create a safety hazard.
J. The outer two inches edge of the
stair tread shall be constructed of a material that contrasts with the color of
the stairs and is clearly visible to bathers.
K. A side handrail extending up and
above and returning to the horizontal surface of the pool deck, curb or coping
shall be provided at each side of each ladder or set of recessed steps.
L. The leading edge of the handrail
shall be no more than eighteen inches, plus or minus three inches, horizontally
from the vertical plane of the bottom riser, where applicable.
M. Ramp entry into the pool shall meet
the following requirements.
(1) Handrails shall extend over the deck edge
and extend to the bottom of the ramp for entering and leaving the pool.
(2) Ramp edges protruding into the pool shall
be of a contrasting color.
[7.18.3.15 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.15
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.16 Special Design Features:
A. If waterfalls or rockery are
installed at a public pool, the following requirements shall apply.
(1) If waterfalls or rockery are to be
installed at or adjacent to a pool and the height of the feature is twelve
inches or less above the water level of the pool:
(a) waterfalls
may spill directly into the pool from the side wall;
(b) rockery shall come
no closer than four feet from the edge of the pool, at pools that are not
required to have lifeguards; or
(c) rockery
is allowed up to the pool edge as long as the rockery feature does not cover
more than five percent of the pool deck perimeter at pools that are required to
have lifeguards.
(2) If waterfalls or rockery are to be
installed at or adjacent to a pool and the height of the feature is greater
than 12 inches and less than thirty inches above the water level of the pool:
(a) waterfalls and rockery shall not be closer
that eight feet from the edge of the pool at pools that are not required to
have lifeguards; or
(b) waterfalls
and rockery are allowed up to the pool edge as long as the waterfall or rockery
does not cover more than five percent of the pool deck perimeter at pools that
are required to have lifeguards.
(3) If waterfalls or rockery are to be
installed at or adjacent to a pool and the height of the feature is greater
than 30 inches above the water level of the pool:
(a) waterfalls and
rockery shall come no closer that fifteen feet from the edge of the pool at
pools that are not required to have lifeguards; or
(b) waterfalls
and rockery are allowed up to the pool edge as long as the waterfall or rockery
does not occupy more than five percent of the pool deck perimeter at pools that
are required to have lifeguards.
B. Plants and vegetations may come no closer than four feet from
the edge of the pool.
C. Where waterfalls are provided at or
adjacent to the deep areas of public pools, a minimum four foot wide walkway
surrounding it.
D. Waterfalls that commingle with the
pool water shall conform to water quality and treatment requirements
established for the pool. The department
may require additional disinfection capability to address anticipated increased
demand for and aerosolization of the disinfectant.
E. Flows shall not create
turbulence that may create a safety hazard or reduce visibility in the pool.
[7.18.3.16 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.16
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.17 Diving areas:
A. In a public pool where diving and
swimming are allowed, the area of the pool where diving is permitted shall be:
(1) separated from
the main swimming area by a lifeline in rectangular pools; and
(2) in the case of a
T, L or Z shaped pool, in a recessed area forming one of the legs of the T, L
or Z, which is separated from the main swimming area by a lifeline.
B. Public pools used for diving shall
comply with the following water depths and lateral and vertical clearances.
(1) Diving areas shall have the minimum dimensions
and clearances as specified in 7.18.3.18 and 7.18.3.19 NMAC of this rule.
(2) The area of vertical clearance, as
specified in dimension E in 7.18.3.18 NMAC of this rule, shall be a cylinder
with a minimum radius of fifteen feet.
The center point of the cylinder shall be located on the edge of the
diving end of the diving board, at a point one half of the width of the diving
board as specified in 7.18.3.18 NMAC of this rule.
(3) If the diving areas of the pool are not in
compliance with the requirements of this section, the diving facility or
equipment shall be removed or be brought into compliance with this section as
soon as practical. Any use of the diving areas shall not be permitted until
such time as the diving facility or equipment is brought into compliance with
this section.
[7.18.3.17 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.17
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.18 DIVING
BOARD AND PLATFORM DIMENSIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
[7.18.3.18 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.18
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.19 DECK
LEVEL DIVING BOARD DIMENSIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
[7.18.3.19 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.19
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.20 Diving Equipment:
A. Diving boards, towers and platforms
in excess of three meters in height shall comply with the dimensional design requirements
of the U.S. diving, national federation of state high school associations
(NFSHSA) or equivalent standards.
B. Supports for diving equipment, such
as platforms, stairs and ladders shall be designed to carry anticipated
loads. Stairs and ladders shall be of
corrosion-resistant material and easily cleanable with slip-resistant tread.
C. Diving boards and diving platforms
shall be protected with forty-two inch high guardrails and one intermediate
rail, both extending at least to the water edge when one meter or more above
the water.
D. Diving equipment shall be designed
for swimming pool use and shall be installed in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations.
E. Pool owners and operators shall
obtain diving equipment installation instructions and specifications for each
unit from the manufacturer and provide it to the department upon request.
F. A label shall be permanently
affixed to the diving equipment and shall include:
(1) manufacturer’s
name and address;
(2) board equipment
length;
(3) identification
regarding diving or jump board;
(4) fulcrum setting
specifications (if applicable);
(5) reference to the
current year of the applicable standards; and,
(6) reference to the
applicable articles in the applicable standards.
G. Diving equipment shall have
slip-resistant tread surfaces.
H. Diving equipment shall be
permanently anchored to the pool deck.
[7.18.3.20 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.20
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.21 Pool Slides:
A. Pool slides shall comply with the
requirements of the U.S. consumer product safety commission safety standards
for swimming pool slides as published in the Code of Federal Regulations Vol.
16, Part 1207.
B. Pool slides shall:
(1) be constructed of
sturdy and corrosion-resistant material;
(2) be securely
fastened to the pool deck;
(3) have a ladder equipped with slip-resistant
treads and rigidly attached handrails;
(4) have runways which are smooth, of one
piece, and free of cutting, pinching, puncturing or abrasion hazards; and
(5) have a sliding
surface with side rails on both sides that are no less than two inches in
height.
C. Pool slide runways shall be water
lubricated when in use.
D. Pool slides higher than twelve feet
above the deck are prohibited.
E. Water depths shall be measured at a
point four and one half feet beyond the end of the slide and are based on slide
height. The required water depths are as
follows:
(1) a slide that is
greater than three feet high to seven and one half feet high shall have a
minimum water depth of four feet;
(2) a slide that is
greater than seven and one half feet high to eight feet high shall have a
minimum water depth of five feet;
(3) a slide that is
greater than eight feet high to eleven feet high shall have a minimum water
depth of five than one-half feet;
(4) a slide that is
greater than eleven feet high to twelve feet high shall have a minimum water
depth of six feet.
F. Pool slides shall be equipped with the
warning signs found in 7.18.4.26 NMAC, Required Signs.
G. Portable toddler slides, three feet
or less, shall have entry into water depths that are recommended by the
manufacturer and approved by the department. Water depths for slide entry are
determined by but not limited to platform height, length of slide, and bather
weight.
[7.18.3.21 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.21
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.22 Waterslides:
A. A waterslide shall consist of one or
more flumes, splash pools or slide runouts, a pump
reservoir
and facilities for the
sanitization, filtration and chemical treatment of the water.
B. The structural design of a water
slide and the materials used in its construction shall conform to generally accepted structural engineering practices, and shall provide
a sound, durable structure that will safely sustain all applicable loads and
pressures. Pool owners and operators
shall provide the department, upon request, supporting information and
calculations from a New Mexico registered engineer or by a licensed engineer of
appropriate competency employed by the designer or manufacturer of the water
slide and its structure.
C. Any components or accessories of a
water slide that, under normal conditions of use, come into contact with
bathers shall be assembled, arranged and finished so that their external
surfaces and edges do not present an injury or hazard to the skin of users
under casual contact.
D. Waterslide surfaces shall be inert,
nontoxic, smooth and easily cleaned.
E. All curves and turns in a flume
shall be:
(1) designed so that the contact of users with
the walls of the flume does not present a hazard;
(2) constructed so
that the forces on the bathers keep them safely inside the flume under all
foreseeable circumstances of operation; and
(3) be designed and
constructed so that the speed of the bathers does not reach a point at which a
safe equilibrium of dynamic forces cannot be maintained on any curve or turn in
the flume.
F. The construction, dimensions and
methods of mechanical attachment of a flume shall provide a smooth and
continuous surface through the entire length of the flume. Any misalignment of joints in a sectional
flume shall not exceed one-sixteenth inch and the upstream side of the joint on
the rider’s path shall be higher than the downstream side of the joint.
G. The walls of all flumes shall be
designed so that the continuous and combined action of hydrostatic, dynamic and
static loads, as well as normal environmental deterioration do not damage the
flume bed to the extent of creating a structural failure that presents a hazard
of injury to users or that requires unreasonable repairs that may weaken the
structural integrity of the flume. Water slides shall be maintained in good
operating condition.
H. Runout
waterslide exits shall be designed to ensure that bathers enter the slide runout at a safe speed and angle of entry, and shall be
designed with adequate length, water depth and slope to bring the user to a
safe stop.
(1) Flume or slide exits shall be at least six
feet apart.
(2) Waterslide runouts,
if used, shall have an exit opening or step, unless one or both of the walls of
the run out are not more than sixteen inches in height from the inside or
eighteen inches from the outside.
I. The flume exit of a water slide
into a splash pool shall be designed with a slide exit system that provides for
safe entry into the splash pool or slide run out. Current practices for safe entry include a
water backup, a deceleration distance and body attitude control. Other methods are acceptable as long as safe
exit velocities and proper body attitudes are assured under normal use.
J. The distance between the sidewall
of the pool and that portion of the flume exit nearest the wall shall not be
less than five feet at the point of exit or a greater distance as specified by
the manufacturer.
K. The flume and any adjacent parallel
flume, exiting to a common pool, shall not be less than six feet apart at the
point of exit, as specified in 7.18.3.23 NMAC, or a greater distance if
specified by the manufacturer.
L. The centerline of a flume and the
centerline of any adjacent, but non-parallel, flume exiting into a common pool
shall not intersect for a distance of twenty five feet from the exit of each of
the flumes, as specified in 7.18.3.23 NMAC, Waterslide and Flume Exit
Requirements, in this rule.
M. Except as otherwise provided in
this subsection, the water depth in a splash pool at the end of the flume exit
shall be a minimum of three and one half feet from the normal operating water
level to the pool bottom. This depth
shall be maintained for a distance of not less than twenty feet from the point
of the first obstruction, or not less than thirty feet if the point of exit is
even with the normal operating water level.
The department may waive these requirements if a special exit system or
velocity reduction technique is used that ensures a safe exit from the flume
and safe entry to the splash pool.
N. If steps are provided instead of
exit ladders, a handrail shall be provided at the steps opposite the point of
exit from each flume. Handrails or
ladder rails shall not be located in a direct line from the point of exit of the
flume or slide.
O. A deck shall be provided along the
exit side of the splash pool and along the other two sides of the pool.
P. A concrete walkway, steps, stairway
or ramp shall be provided between the splash pool and the top of the
flume. The means of access shall:
(1) not retain
standing water;
(2) not be less than
three feet wide;
(3) have handrails;
(4) have a
slip-resistant surface; and
(5) be separated from
the waterslide structure by an effective physical separation or located to
prevent users from contacting the waterslide structure.
[7.18.3.22 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.22
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.23 WATERSLIDE
AND FLUME EXIT REQUIREMENTS:
A. Intersecting slides or flumes:
B. Parallel slides or flumes:
[7.18.3.23 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.23
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.24 Pump reservoirs and control of water:
A. Splash pool shall maintain a
constant water depth.
B. The interior of pump reservoirs
shall be watertight.
C. Pump reservoirs shall be accessible
only to authorized persons.
D. Intakes to the slide pumps shall be
designed to allow cleaning without danger of trapping the operator.
E. A surge-free automatic water makeup
system with a manual override shall be provided and operated so that the normal
operating water level of the splash pool is maintained at all times. An approved backflow prevention device shall
be provided on makeup water system.
F. The velocity of water at the weir
or inlet grate shall not exceed one and one half feet per second.
[7.18.3.24 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.24
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.25 Spray Pads and interactive FOUNTAINS:
A. The spray pad shall be equipped, at
its lowest point, with an unvalved drain of sufficient
capacity and designed to prevent the accumulation of water.
B. If the spray pad uses recirculated water, then filtration and disinfectant feed
systems shall be provided as required by this regulation.
(1) The time taken to completely recirculate and filter the entire volume of water in the
system once shall be no greater than thirty minutes.
(2) A disinfection
residual shall be maintained as specified in 7.18.4.11 NMAC, Pool Water Quality.
C. spray
pads that do not recirculate water are exempt from
the requirements for bathhouses and toilet facilities in the swimming pool
rules.
D. Surfaces within the spray pad or interactive
fountains and adjacent decks shall be watertight, slip resistant, and withstand
design stresses.
[7.18.3.25 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.25
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.26 Activity Pools:
A. Water play structures used in
activity pools shall be designed and maintained so that their surfaces are
smooth, nontoxic and easily cleanable.
B. The devices shall not pose a safety
or health hazard to users and shall not interfere with the circulation or
disinfectant levels of the water.
C. Activity pools shall meet all
the appropriate design, construction, operation and maintenance requirements of
a public pool.
[7.18.3.26 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.26
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.27 Wave Pools:
A. The generation of waves more than
three feet in height in a wave pool, regardless of pool depth, shall not
continue for more than fifteen minutes at a time.
B. The wave pool shall not be used if
the main drain is not clearly visible from the deck with the wave generating
equipment turned off.
C. Bathers shall gain access to the
wave pool at the shallow or beach end only.
(1) The side deck areas of the pool shall be
enclosed by a fence or other comparable barrier accessible to authorized
personnel only.
(2) A sign shall be posted indicating that
this area is not open to the public.
D. Properly sized U.S. Coast Guard
approved life jackets shall be provided free for use by bathers who request
them.
E. Each pool attendant and lifeguard
station shall have a clearly labeled and readily accessible emergency shut-off
switch for the control of the wave action system.
F. An audible warning system shall be
provided to alert bathers at the beginning of wave generation.
G. Recessed steps and handrails shall
be provided at one or more locations along the wall of the wave pool.
(1) The recessed steps and handrails shall
extend down the wall so they will be accessible during wave generation at the
lowest water level.
(2) The distance between the handrail and the
wall shall not be more than five inches or less than three inches.
[7.18.3.27 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.27
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.28 Watercourse Rides:
A. Handrails, steps, stairs and booster
inlets for watercourse rides shall not protrude into the watercourse.
B. The watercourse shall be no less
than eight feet wide or more than three and one half feet deep.
C. A department approved method of exit
shall be provided not less than every two hundred feet along the watercourse.
D. A deck shall be provided along at
least one side of the watercourse.
[7.18.3.28 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.28
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.29 Wading Pools:
A. A wading pool shall have:
(1) a maximum water
depth of twenty four inches;
(2) a slope which
does not exceed one foot in 12 feet;
(3) a slip-resistant
finish;
(4) a maximum
turnover time as specified in Subsection B of 7.18.3.37 NMAC, Circulation
System, in this rule;
(5) a separate pool
with an independent circulation system and physically separated from any other
pool; and
(6) at least two
inlets.
B. Adequate sanitary facilities shall
be available in the vicinity of the wading pool, as required in 7.18.3.49 NMAC,
Bathhouse and Toilet Facilities, in this rule.
[7.18.3.29 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.29
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.30 Public Baths:
A. Public baths shall only be of the
fill-and-draw or flow-through type.
B. Public baths shall meet all of the
requirements for construction, operation, and maintenance of the public bath as
specified in this rule, 7.18.2 NMAC, and 7.18.4 NMAC, except:
(1) A fill-and-draw public bath shall be
exclusively for one use at a time, after which the bath shall be completely
drained, cleaned, and disinfected prior to the next use.
(2) Flow-through public baths will be exempt
from the requirements for recirculation, filtration and disinfection if the
flow rate of water through the bath from natural or developed sources
completely replaces the entire bath water volume every thirty minutes or less.
Hot springs public baths shall be exempt from the requirements for recirculation, filtration and disinfection provided they
comply with the water quality requirements in Subsection N and O of 7.18.4.11
NMAC.
[7.18.3.30 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.30
NMAC 07/30/08]
7.18.3.31 Elevated Lifeguard Chairs:
A. Each public pool where lifeguards
are required shall have at least one elevated lifeguard chair.
B. There shall be one lifeguard chair
for each lifeguard required with the exception of the lifeguard located at
waterslide exits and wading pools.
C. Where more than one lifeguard chair
or elevated lifeguard platform is required, there shall be a chair or platform
located on each side of the pool. When
there is a diving tank connected to a pool (ZLT) where the pool has more than
two thousand five hundred square feet, department approval is required.
D. Lifeguard chairs shall be located to
provide a clear, unobstructed view of the bottom of the pool within a field of
view no greater than ninety degrees on either side of a line of sight extending
straight out from the platform or lifeguard chair.
E. Portable lifeguard chairs or elevated
lifeguard platforms shall be acceptable providing they are structurally sound
and tilt or tip proof.
F. Lifeguard chairs to at least six
feet in height from the deck surface to the chair seat shall be located in the diving
area and where the water depth is five feet or greater. Height is specified due
to refraction angle of the water.
G. A pool that has a diving board shall
have at least one elevated lifeguard chair located to provide a clear
unobstructed view of the pool bottom in the diving area. The seat of the lifeguard chair in the diving
area shall be located at an elevation of at least six feet above the pool deck.
H. Elevated lifeguard platforms located
in the shallow area where the water is less than five feet in depth shall be at
least thirty-four inches in height from the deck surface to the platform
surface. The department may approve other configurations if visibility problems
occur.
[7.18.3.31 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.31
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.32 Emergency Telephone: An emergency telephone shall be located in
any of the following areas:
A. within the public pool enclosure
that is accessible at all times;
B. in another location approved, in
writing, by the department.
[7.18.3.32 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.32
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.33 Public Pool BArrier:
A. For all newly constructed and
modified public pools and baths, and where the barrier is being replaced, the
provisions of Subsections B through K of this section shall apply. For public
pools constructed prior to effective date of the pool rules’ and where the
barrier has not been replaced, the provisions of Subsection L of this section
shall apply.
B. Public pools and baths shall be completely enclosed by a
barrier that is durable, stable, and of firm construction to control access to
the public pool and not provide a framework for climbing or scaling.
C. Unless otherwise prohibited by the
fire code or the local fire marshal, barriers, including windows, gates, and
doors, shall be constructed in such a manner so as to control access to the
pool. Barriers that serve as emergency exits shall have an audible alarm.
D. The top of the barrier shall be not
less than five feet above grade as measured from the exterior side of the
enclosure or barrier at a point three feet perpendicular from the base at any
given point along the enclosure. A clear
span five feet in radius as measured from the top of the fence is required, as
specified in Subsection C of 7.18.3.34 NMAC, Barrier clearance requirements.
E. The bottom horizontal rail or bar
of the enclosure or barrier shall be no more than four inches above the grade
when the grade is a solid surface, such as a concrete deck or two inches when
the grade is any other surface, as specified in Subsection A of 7.18.3.34 NMAC,
Barrier detail.
F. The separation between vertical
sections and bars shall be no wider than four inches.
G. There shall be forty five inch
minimum separation between the bottom horizontal members or rails and any other
horizontal member or rail of the mid section of the pool enclosure.
H. A barrier shall not have decorative
portions that provide handholds or footholds. All exterior projections or
recessions shall be forty-five inches from the bottom of the fence, as
specified in Subsection A, Barrier detail, of 7.18.3.34 NMAC.
I. Chain link enclosures or barrier’s
mesh size shall not exceed one and one fourth inches square, unless slats,
fastened at the top and bottom of the fence, or other department approved
measures, are used to reduce mesh openings to not allow the passage of a one
and three-quarters inch-diameter sphere. Chain link fencing shall not be less
than eleven gage, as specified in Subsection B of
7.18.3.34 NMAC.
J. Gates and doors in public pool
enclosures or barriers shall open outward away from the pool, be self-closing
and equipped with a self-latching device lockable from the exterior side of the
enclosure or barrier. Except as provided in 7.18.4.21 NMAC, barrier gates and doors
shall not be blocked open or otherwise disabled to prevent closing and
latching.
(1) The operating controls for the
self-latching device shall be located at least forty-two inches above the
exterior ground surface or pool deck. Latches that remain continuously locked
and can only be opened by the use of a key or other access control system shall
be of a height that allows the barrier, fence and latch to be in compliance
with accessibility standards, and applicable regulations.
(2) An eighteen inch radius of solid material
around the self-latching device or a similar barrier with openings no greater
than one-half inch shall be provided.
(3) Where a kick plate is required to meet
accessibility standards, such gate or door shall have a solid facing at least
forty-two inches from the bottom of the gate.
K. Gates, doors or fire exits shall not
open directly into a public pool enclosure from a living unit, hotel, motel
room, or other public building unless otherwise required by the fire code or
the local fire marshal. For spas or
baths that are associated with a specific guest or motel room, the owners of
the facility shall ensure compliance with the barrier requirements.
L. Public
pools and baths that existed prior to the effective date of the pool rules and
that have not been modified shall have a barrier with a minimum height of four
feet. Barriers not meeting this requirement shall be replaced in accordance
with the provisions of Subsections B through K of this section.
[7.18.3.33 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.33
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.34 POOL
BARRIER DIMENSIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
A. Barrier detail:
B. Chain link fence detail:
C. Enclosure clearance
requirements:
B. Chain link fence detail:
C. Barrier clearance requirements:
[7.18.3.34 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.34
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.35 Decks:
A. All public pools and hot springs
public baths constructed or modified after the effective date of the pool rules
shall have a continuous, unobstructed deck that is at one level, excluding the
slope for drainage, and of at least four feet width surrounding the pool. The
deck width may include the coping.
B. Exception: on spas with a diameter,
length or width of less than twelve feet, a continuous deck, that is no less
than four feet wide, shall be provided around at least fifty percent of a spa.
Egress may only be permitted on to the deck.
C. Decks around rockeries and
waterfalls shall conform to specifications stated in 7.18.3.16 NMAC of this
rule.
D. All public pools constructed after
the effective date of these rules shall have a deck that is no less than four
feet wide behind diving equipment, slides, lifeguard chairs or starting
platforms.
E. Decks shall slope from one-fourth
inch per foot to a maximum of three-eighths inch per foot and shall be drained
to the perimeter area or area drains.
F. Outdoor pools decks may drain to
landscaping in a manner that will not create muddy, hazardous or unsanitary
conditions.
G. Indoor pools shall use properly
plumbed deck drains that drain to an approved receptor by means of an indirect
connection.
H. Drainage shall remove pool and spa
splash water, deck cleaning water and rainwater without leaving standing water.
I. The surface of the deck shall not
drain into the pool or the overflow gutter and shall not be returned to the
recirculation system.
J. Site drainage shall be provided to
direct all perimeter deck drainage, as well as general site and roof drainage,
away from the pool. When required, yard
drains shall be installed to prevent the accumulation of water around the pool
area.
K. Except for trench type drainage
systems, deck drains shall be spaced or arranged so that not more than two
hundred square feet of area is tributary to each drain and drains shall not be
more than twenty-five feet apart.
L. Runway drains shall not be
interconnected with overflow system drain lines.
M. Deck surfaces shall be constructed of
concrete, non-slip tile, or other impervious material with a slip-resistant,
easily cleanable surface.
N. For all public pools and hot springs
public baths constructed or modified after the effective date of these rules
wooden surfaces, carpeting or artificial turf surfaces are prohibited on the deck
or within the limits of the deck drainage area, whichever is greater. No person
shall modify a deck at a public pool or hot springs public bath, which was
constructed prior to the effective date of these rules, and install wooden,
carpeting or artificial turf surfaces on the deck, or within the limits of the
deck drainage area, whichever is greater.
O. Joints between concrete deck slabs
shall be effectively sealed and shall be designed to protect the pool, coping
and its mortar bed from movement of the deck.
P. New or replacement expansion joints
installed after the effective date of the pool rules’ shall not be constructed
of wood.
Q. Adjoining deck surface elevations
shall vary no more than one-fourth inch.
[7.18.3.35 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.35
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.36 DECK
AND DECK DRAIN REQUIREMENTS:
A. Deck without deck drains:
B. Decks with drains:
[7.18.3.36 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.36
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.37 circulation System:
A. Except for hot springs public baths
and fill and draw public baths, all public pools, shall have circulation and
filtration systems with piping, pumps, filters, disinfection and other
equipment to maintain uniform disinfection levels and pool water quality in all
parts of the pool as required by this regulation and other applicable
provisions of the pool rules. The
circulation system for public baths shall meet the applicable requirements of
7.18.3.30 NMAC of this rule.
B. The system of pumps, filters,
disinfection facilities and other equipment shall be of adequate size to meet
the following maximum turnover rate:
(1) wave
pools/watercourse ride - six hours;
(2) wading pools -
one hour;
(3) waterpark
slide pools - one hour;
(4) all other special
use pools - thirty minutes;
(5) spas, thirty
minutes;
(6)
class D pools - four hours; and
(7) all other public
pools - six hours.
C. Any circulation system installed in
accordance with pool rules in effect at the time of original construction or modification and
which does not meet the turnover rates in Subsection B of 7.18.3.37 NMAC, may
continue in use, until the pool is modified. However, the continued use of the
existing recirculation system is contingent upon the recirculation system
complying with all standards of disinfection and water clarity in the swimming
pool rules. Non-compliant recirculation
systems shall be replaced or brought into compliance.
D. The circulation system at all
public pools, except for fill-and-draw baths, shall have flow rate meter(s) or
device(s), installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with
manufacturers’ directions to measure all necessary flow rates as indicated by
this regulation and other applicable provisions of the pool rules.
E. Each public pool shall have its own
circulation system that is not connected to any other pool.
[7.18.3.37 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.37
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.38 Surface skimming and perimeter overflow gutter
systems:
A. Surface skimmers or perimeter
overflow gutter systems shall be provided at all public pools. Such systems
shall be designed and constructed to skim the surface of the pool or spa water
when the water level is maintained within the operating water level range of
the system’s rim or weir device.
B. Where skimmers are provided the
following provisions will apply.
(1) All skimmers installed in a public pool
shall be NSF/ANSI 50 certified.
(2) Each skimmer shall be equipped with a
strainer basket and a self-adjusting skimmer weir device that shall operate
freely with continuous action to variations in water level over a range of at
least three inches.
(3) Skimmers shall be designed for a
flow-through rate of not less than thirty gallons per minute and the total
capacity of all skimmers in any pool shall be at least eighty percent of the
required filter flow of the recirculation system.
(4) Each skimmer shall be equipped with a
self-activating equalizer line, a flow control device, and an anti-entrapment
plate. This subsection shall only apply to public pools constructed or modified
after the effective date of the pool rules.
(5) Skimmers shall be located to achieve
effective skimming action over the entire surface area of the pool.
(6) Skimmer covers located on a walking
surface shall be securely seated, slip-resistant, of sufficient strength to
withstand normal deck use, and not constitute a tripping or safety hazard.
(7) Where skimmers are used, there shall be
one skimmer for each five hundred square feet of surface area, with a minimum
of two skimmers. One skimmer shall be provided for each one hundred fifty
square feet of spa or wading pool water surface area, or fraction thereof.
(8) The operating water level for surface
skimmers shall be within the vertical operating range of the skimmers.
C. Where perimeter overflow gutter
systems are used the following provisions will apply.
(1) Perimeter overflow gutter systems shall be
provided around the entire perimeter of public pools.
(2)
Perimeter overflow gutter system drains shall not exceed fifteen feet on
centers. The perimeter overflow gutter
bottom shall be sloped one-fourth inch per foot to the drainage outlets.
(3) The perimeter overflow gutter system
outlets shall be covered with department-approved drain grates.
(4) The perimeter overflow gutter system shall
be capable of continuously removing fifty percent or more of the recirculated water and returning it to the filter.
(5) Water from the perimeter overflow gutter
systems shall recirculate through the filter or, in
cases of pools installed prior to the effective date of this regulation, water
may be discharged into the sewer. If
water is discharged to a sewer, there shall be a minimum eight-inch air gap or
a department-approved back-siphonage and backflow
prevention device between the perimeter gutter overflow system drain line and
the top rim of the approved receptacle.
Enclosed pipeless gutters shall have clean-out
covers at a maximum of fifteen-foot intervals and shall have a slope of not
less than one-eighth inch per foot.
(6) Public pools with perimeter overflow gutter
systems shall have surge tanks unless designed to use inpool
surge.
(7) Perimeter overflow gutter systems shall be
connected to the recirculation system with a system surge capacity of at least
one gallon per square foot of pool surface.
(a) External surge
systems shall be capable of transferring water at a rate equal to one hundred
percent of the pool's design flow rate.
(b) Perimeter overflow
gutter systems shall drain in two minutes or less after sudden flooding.
(8) The operating water level for perimeter
overflow gutter systems shall be over the overflow gutter lip at all times.
[7.18.3.38 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.38
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.39 Inlets and Outlets:
A. Pool inlets and outlets shall be
sized and arranged to produce a uniform circulation of water to maintain a
uniform level of disinfectant residual throughout the pool.
B. Inlets shall not protrude from the
public pool floor or wall to create a hazard.
C. Grates shall be designed to prevent
entrapment of fingers and other body parts.
D. All outlet grates, anti-entrapment
plates, and inlet fittings shall have tamper-proof screws that cannot be
removed except with tools.
E. There shall be at least one inlet
per five hundred square feet of pool surface area or per fifteen thousand
gallons of water, whichever results in the greater number of inlets.
F. All inlets shall be adjustable to
obtain the desired rate and direction of water flow. If the distance across any portion of the
public pool is more than thirty feet, multiple inlets shall be provided on
opposite ends.
G. Inlets from the recirculation system
shall be submerged at least twelve inches below water level.
H. If the pool width is greater than
twenty-five feet, multiple outlets shall be provided. Multiple outlets shall be spaced not more
than twenty feet apart or more than ten feet from side walls, and shall be
located to provide uniform withdrawal of water from the deepest part of the
pool.
I. The
total velocity through outlet grate openings shall not exceed one and one-half
feet per second. The total velocity through anti-entrapment suction outlet
covers shall not exceed six feet per second.
J. Vacuum outlets on public pools
shall be self-closing.
K. Pool outlets shall be valved and connected to the recirculation pump.
L. Pool outlets shall have a design
capacity equal to one hundred percent of the recirculation pump capacity.
M. All pools shall have, at the lowest
point of the pool floor to drain the entire floor area, either a minimum of two
hydraulically balanced suction outlet openings at least three feet apart with
anti-entrapment covers or grates with a minimum surface area of one hundred
forty-four square inches per pool pump suction line.
N. The system shall be designed such
that the outlets are at least three feet apart and so that neither one of the
two outlets can be cut out of the suction line by a valve or other means which
would allow entrapment of the bather on any suction outlet opening.
O. All
suction outlets, including covers, plates, fittings, hardware, shall be
designed to prevent entrapment in accordance with Section 11, ANSI/NSPI-1 2003.
[7.18.3.39 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.39
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.40 Pool Fill Spouts and Inlets: For
pool fill spouts and inlets the following shall apply.
A. Over-the-rim fill spouts.
(1) Over-the rim fill spouts shall have an air
gap or other equivalent means approved by the department or local municipal
plumbing authority, above the pool deck, a minimum of six inches or two times
the diameter of the pipe, whichever is greater.
(2) Over-the-rim fill spouts shall be located
under a diving board, hand rail or beside grab rails.
B. Through-the-wall fill lines shall be
located above the water level and equipped with a department-approved back-siphonage and backflow prevention device installed on the
potable water supply for cross-connection prevention and control.
C. If directly connected to the pool’s
circulation system, a department-approved back-siphonage
and backflow prevention device, for the purpose of cross-connection prevention
and control, shall be installed on the potable water supply before it connects
to the pool recirculation piping.
[7.18.3.40 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.40
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.41 Piping:
A. Pool circulation piping shall be
sized to permit the rated flows for filtering and cleaning without exceeding
the operating head of the pump.
B. All public pools constructed after the effective date of
the pool rules’ and where the piping is being replaced, plastic piping, if
installed, shall be non-toxic and certified by NSF/ANSI 14.
C. Public pool or spa backwash or drain
lines shall be permanently piped with an air gap, equivalent to two times the
pipe diameter, but in no case less than eight inches above the flood level of
the approved receptor.
(1) All of the plumbing drains serving the
pool sewer system shall discharge into the sanitary sewer system or other
department approved disposal method.
(2) Unless otherwise waived in writing by the
county or municipal plumbing authority, or the operator of the sewer system,
all discharges to the sanitary sewer from any public pool or ancillary facility
shall be equipped with a two-chamber sand interceptor meeting the requirements
set forth in the current appropriate code adopted by the department, the New
Mexico construction industries division, the county or municipal plumbing
authority, or the operator of the sewer system.
D. Exposed piping shall be properly and
permanently labeled to easily and adequately identify the piping function and
direction of flow to the operator.
E. Pool
piping subject to damage by freezing shall have a uniform slope in one
direction and shall be equipped with valves for adequate drainage or shall be
capable of evacuating water to prevent freezing and possible damage.
F. Piping
and equipment shall be designed, fabricated, and installed to drain the pool
water from the equipment, together with exposed face piping, by removal of
drain plugs and manipulating valves, or by other methods.
[7.18.3.41 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.41
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.42 Pumps:
A. A pump and motor shall be provided
for circulation of public pool water, except for fill and draw public baths and
flow through public baths that meet the requirements of Paragraph (2) of
Subsection B of 7.18.3.30 NMAC of this rule.
B. All pumps shall have a strainer on
the suction side of the pump.
(1) Strainers installed below water level
shall have a valve on each side to facilitate cleaning.
(2) The strainer inlet shall be at least equal
in size to the pump suction line.
C. Performance of pumps shall meet the
conditions of flow required for filtering and backwashing the filters against
the TDH developed by the complete system.
Pumps shall be capable of providing design flow rates to match the TDH.
D. Public pool pumps shall be NSF/ANSI
50 certified.
E. Pumps shall be sized to meet flow
requirements, under soiled (dirty) filter conditions as specified in 7.18.3.37
NMAC, of this rule, for filtering the public pool water in accordance with 7.18.3.37
NMAC and filter cleaning (if applicable) against the total dynamic head
developed by the complete system. Pumps
shall also be sized to create pressures or vacuums necessary to meet the
manufacturer’s recommendations for filter cleaning.
[7.18.3.42 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.42
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.43 Filters:
A. Filters shall be sized to
accommodate or exceed the design flow rate of the system and be capable of
maintaining pool water clarity under conditions of maximum bather load as
described in Paragraph (9) of Subsection A of 7.18.4.11 NMAC, Pool Water
Quality.
B. Filters for public pools shall be
backwashed, cleaned, operated, installed, operated, maintained, and replaced
per the schedules, instructions and frequency provided by the manufacturer.
C. The filtration rate shall not exceed
the following:
(1) high rate sand filters - twenty gallons
per minute per square foot of filter media or that rate approved by the
manufacturer for that particular filter, whichever is less;
(2) rapid sand
filters - three gallons per minute per square foot of filter media;
(3) diatomaceous earth filters - two gallons
per minute per square foot of filter media for pools, one and one half gallons
per minute per square foot of filter media for spas; or
(4) cartridge filters
- .375 gallons per minute per square foot of effective filter area.
D. Adequate means to release air from
the filter tank shall be provided.
E. Filter components, which require
servicing, shall be accessible and available for inspection and repair.
F. Filters shall be designed so that
filtration surfaces can be easily inspected and serviced.
G. Filters shall be NSF/ANSI 50
certified.
[7.18.3.43 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.43
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.44 Pool Heaters: All public pool
heaters and energy sources shall be designed, constructed and operated to
comply with applicable local, state or federal codes and standards as well as
the manufacturer’s specifications.
[7.18.3.44 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.44
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.45 Disinfectant and Chemical Feeders:
A. Automatic disinfection of public
pools shall be provided and shall maintain a disinfecting residual in the pool
waters at all times, except for fill and draw public baths and flow through
public baths that meet the requirements of Paragraph (2) of Subsection B of
7.18.3.30 NMAC of this rule. The requirements of 7.18.3.45 NMAC shall not apply
to hot springs public baths.
B. Hand dosing of disinfectant or the
introduction of disinfectant into the public pool through the skimmers or the
main drain is prohibited.
C. The disinfection agent for public
pools shall be registered for such use by the U.S. environmental protection
agency and shall be capable of being tested by a test kit.
D. Automatic disinfection equipment
shall have controls capable of fine feed rate adjustment, and a graduated and
clearly marked dosage adjustment.
E. For public pools, disinfection
equipment shall:
(1) be capable of feeding at least one pound equivalent chlorine
per fifteen thousand gallons of pool capacity per twenty-four hours; or,
(2) be capable of
feeding at least two and one fourth
pounds of bromine per fifteen thousand gallons of pool capacity per twenty-four
hours where bromine sanitation is applicable.
F. Hypochlorinators,
erosion (flow-through) feeders, or other adjustable
output rate disinfectant feeding equipment shall be NSF/ANSI 50 certified.
G. All public spa pools and wading
pools shall be equipped with oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) automatic
disinfection and pH controllers.
H. Where chlorine gas is used as the
disinfectant, the following shall apply.
(1) The chemical feeders, other containers,
and related equipment shall be housed in a room or compartment separate from
other pool equipment; such room or compartment shall:
(a) be
at or above ground level;
(b) have
a door that opens to the outside of the building in the room or compartment
where the chlorine gas is stored; the door shall open away from the public
access area;
(c) be
located so that chlorine gas, if accidentally released, will not flow into the
pool area or into building ventilation systems;
(d) have
lighting and ventilation switches located outside the enclosure, adjacent to
the door, or the door shall be equipped with a switch that automatically
activates the mechanical ventilation and lighting systems;
(e) have
adequate ventilation to outside fresh air with at least four (4) complete air
changes per minute; and
(f) have
a platform scale for measuring the weight of the chlorine cylinders.
(2) The certified operator shall use a full face negative
pressure respirator with a chlorine cartridge approved by the national
institute of occupational safety and health (NIOSH) for protection against
chlorine gas; or a self-contained breathing apparatus approved by the NIOSH
shall be supplied, kept in good working condition and mounted outside the
chlorine enclosure.
(3) Gas chlorinators shall have a fail-safe
mechanism that ceases chlorination in case of malfunction.
(4) Gas chlorinators shall be equipped with an
anti-siphon chlorine injection device.
(5) The vent line from the gas chlorinator
shall vent away from occupied areas; the exterior vent line shall be screened.
(6) Pools shall have appropriate equipment for
maintaining required pH levels.
I. Where disinfectants other than chlorine
or bromine are used, such disinfectants shall:
(1) achieve water disinfection equal to that
provided by free chlorine or bromine at the concentration specified in
7.18.4.10 NMAC; the burden for demonstrating that the proposed alternative is
equal to or better than chlorine or bromine is upon the proponent of the
alternative disinfectant method; and
(2) be approved in
writing by the department; the approval may place special requirements and
conditions on its use;
(3) ozone and ultraviolet disinfection may be used as an
alternative or a supplemental disinfection system as approved under this
subsection by the department.
[7.18.3.45 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.45
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.46 Air Induction Systems:
A. Air induction systems shall only be
allowed in spa pools.
B. Air induction systems shall be
designed to prevent electrical shock hazards.
C. Air intake sources shall be
positioned and designed to minimize contaminants, such as deck water or dirt,
from entering the spa pool.
D. Air induction systems shall have
a timer-controlled operation and shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen
minutes. Air induction system controls
shall be located a minimum of six feet horizontally from the edge of the spa
pool.
E. Air induction systems shall be
completely separate from the spa pool circulation system.
[7.18.3.46 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.46
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.47 Meters and Gauges:
A. Flow rate meters or gauges shall be
installed, operated, and maintained in good working condition in all
circulation systems and flow-through public baths. Such meters shall:
(1) measure the flow
in gallons per minute;
(2) be mounted as
recommended by the manufacturer;
(3) be located to be
easily read; and
(4)
calibrated per the procedures and at the
frequency specified by the manufacturer.
B. Pressure gauges or vacuum gauges
shall be installed on all public pools so that pressure or vacuum readings,
appropriate to filter type, may be obtained on both the filter inlet and outlet
lines.
[7.18.3.47 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.47
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.48 Equipment Enclosure:
A. New pool construction, beginning
with the effective date of this regulation, shall have an equipment enclosure
with a minimum of fifty square feet of floor area and a minimum of three feet
of unobstructed access to operational, informational and maintenance portions
of the equipment.
B. Equipment enclosures shall be
adequately ventilated.
C. Equipment enclosures shall protect
the equipment and be locked, permitting access only to authorized personnel.
D. Equipment enclosures shall have
adequate drainage.
E. Equipment enclosures shall be lighted
to properly operate and maintain equipment.
F. All electrical lights, fixtures,
outlets, and other equipment shall be in compliance with applicable electrical
codes.
[7.18.3.48 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.48
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.49 Bathhouse and Toilet Facilities:
A. A bathhouse shall be provided at all
class A public pools, and maintained in good working
order and sanitary condition at all times.
B. For
the purposes of calculating the required number of toilet facilities, showers,
and lavatories to meet the requirements in this section the bather load shall
be composed of fifty percent of each sex unless otherwise approved by the
department.
C. Where a class A
public pool is operated in conjunction with a companion facility, such as a
recreation facility, a bathhouse common to both facilities is allowed, provided
the minimum facility ratios and locations described in Subsections D, E, and F
of this section are followed.
D. Bathhouses shall:
(1) be located within a maximum travel
distance of two hundred feet of the class A public pool or the maximum travel
distance specified in the international building code, whichever is more
stringent;
(2) have floors that are slip resistant,
easily cleanable, and coved to a height of four inches;
(3) have interior
wall and ceiling finishes that are smooth, easily cleanable, and impervious to
water;
(4) have hose bibs
for washing down the bathhouse interior;
(5) have floors with
a minimum slope of one-fourth inch per foot that drain to floor drains;
(6) have ventilation
to minimize condensation and odors with a minimum of two air changes per hour;
and
(7) have shower rooms or stalls with walls that are impervious
to water to a height of six feet above the floor; shower rooms and stalls shall
comply with the following requirements:
(a) shower
rooms and stalls shall have an effective
water tight joint between the wall and the floor;
(b) shower
stalls shall have doors or curtains for each compartment;
(c) glass
bath or shower doors shall be made of safety glass;
(d) wooden
racks or duck boards over shower floors are prohibited;
(e) rubber
or waterproof mats shall be cleaned and dried daily; and
(f) shower
stall floors shall be finished with non-slip, impervious surfaces.
E. Class A public pools shall provide
toilet facilities in the following numbers based upon maximum pool bather load:
(1) women, one per
forty bathers or fraction thereof, with a minimum of two;
(2) men, one per
seventy five bathers or fraction thereof, with a minimum of two (urinals shall
be an acceptable substitute for no more than one-half of the toilets); and
(3) lavatories
adjacent to toilets, one per two hundred
bathers or fraction thereof, with a minimum of two.
F. Class A public pools shall provide
one showerhead per forty pool users or fraction thereof, with a minimum of two.
G. Hot and cold or tempered water only
shall be provided at all showerheads.
H. Soap shall be provided at all
showerheads and lavatories.
I. If the bathhouse at any public
pool is modified or newly constructed, it shall come into compliance with the
current requirements of the pool rules.
J. Beginning with the effective date
of this regulation, all new construction of class B pools or modified class B
pools shall:
(1) provide toilets
and lavatories based upon maximum bather load:
(a) women, one per
forty pool users or fraction thereof, with a minimum of one;
(b) men,
one per seventy five pool users or fraction thereof, with a minimum of one
(urinals shall be an acceptable substitute for no more than one-half of the
toilets); and
(2) provide such
toilets and lavatories within five hundred feet of the public pool.
K. When all private accommodations or
living units are located within a travel distance of five hundred feet of a
class B public pool, it shall constitute compliance with the requirements of
Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection.
L. When provided, additional bathhouse
facilities adjacent to the pool shall comply with the requirements of
Paragraphs (2) through (7) of Subsection D of 7.18.3.49 NMAC and shall comply
with the fixture requirements of Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of Paragraph (1) of
Subsection J of 7.18.3.49 NMAC.
[7.18.3.49 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.49
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.50 Visitor and Spectator Areas:
Visitors and spectators shall be allowed within the pool room or pool enclosure
if they are restricted to a separate area not used by bathers during
competition or demonstration events.
[7.18.3.50 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.50
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.51 Food Service:
A. Glass and rigid plastic containers
are prohibited within the pool enclosure, except during competitive swimming
events and practice sessions for such events, where water bottles without
removable lids may be used to provide drinking water to participants.
B. Food and drink shall be permitted in
the visitor and spectator areas or in separated snack areas for pool users.
C. Trash containers shall be provided
in the food service areas.
[7.18.3.51 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.51
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.52 Drinking
Fountains: Drinking fountains
shall be provided at all class A public pools.
[7.18.3.52 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.52
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.53 RIGHT
OF ENTRY:
A. Upon presentation of credentials,
department representatives may enter any premises where a public pool is
located or where records required by the public swimming pool rules are located
during the public pool’s operating hours.
B. When entry is denied by the
property owner, the department may seek a district court order to:
(1) have a right of
entry to, upon, or through any premises where a permitted or unpermitted public pool is located;
(2) have a right of entry on any premises
where any records that are required by the public swimming pool rules or permit
conditions are kept;
(3) have access to and copy any record that
the public swimming pool rules or permit requires the facility to maintain;
(4) inspect any premises
or equipment to determine compliance with the public swimming pool rules or any
permit condition; and
(5) obtain any
sample(s) required to determine compliance with the public swimming pool rules
or any permit condition.
[7.18.3.53 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.53
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.54 to 7.18.3.200 [RESERVED]
7.18.3.201 CONSTRUCTION:
This part shall be liberally construed
to carry out its purpose.
[7.18.3.201 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.201
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.202 SEVERABILITY: If any provision of application of
this part is held invalid, the
remainder of this part, or any
other application, shall not be affected.
[7.18.3.202 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.202
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.203 REFERENCES
IN OTHER REGULATIONS: Any reference
to the public swimming pool regulations or to any prior version of the public
swimming pool regulations in any other rule shall be construed as a reference
to this rule. References to the “public
swimming pool rules” in this part refer to all provisions contained in 7.18.2
through 7.18.5 NMAC.
[7.18.3.203 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.203
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.204 SAVINGS
CLAUSE: Repeal or supersession of prior versions
of this part or the public
swimming pool rules shall not affect any administrative or judicial action
initiated under those prior versions.
[7.18.3.204 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.204
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.205 COMPLIANCE
WITH OTHER REGULATIONS: Compliance with the public swimming pool rules or
this part does not relieve a
person from the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal,
state or local regulations.
[7.18.3.205 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.205
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.206 PENALTY:
Any person who violates any provisions of this rule shall be subject to the penalty provisions in NMSA 1978, Section 74-1-10
of the Environmental Improvement Act, in addition to any other penalties
provided for in the public swimming pool rules.
[7.18.3.206 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.206
NMAC, 07/30/08]
7.18.3.207 LIMITATION
OF DEFENSE: The existence of a valid permit for the installation, modification
or operation of a public pool shall not constitute a defense to a violation of
any section of this rule, except the requirement for obtaining a permit.
[7.18.3.207 NMAC - Rp, 7.18.3.207,
07/30/08]
HISTORY OF 7.18.3 NMAC:
Pre-NMAC History:
The material in this part was derived from that previously filed with
the state records center and archives:
HSSD 72-2, Swimming Pool Regulations Governing the Sanitary
Design, Equipment, Construction and Operation, filed 9/27/72.
EIB 74-2, Regulations Governing Public
Baths and Public and Semi-Public Swimming Pools, filed 7/15/74.
EIB 76-1, Regulations Governing Public
Swimming Pools and Public Baths, filed 3/25/76.
History of Repealed Material: 7 NMAC 18.1, Public Swimming Pools and Public
Baths (filed 10/27/1995) repealed 03/30/05.
7.18.3 NMAC, Public Swimming Pools, Spas and Baths: Design and Construction (filed 02/09/2005),
repealed 07/30/08.
Other History:
EIB 76-1, Regulations Governing Public Swimming Pools And
Public Baths (filed 3/25/76) was reformatted, renumbered and replaced by 7 NMAC
18.1, Public Swimming Pools and Public Baths, effective 11/30/1995.
Portions of 7 NMAC 18.1, Public Swimming Pools and Public
Baths (filed 10/27/1995) was replaced by 7.18.3 NMAC, Public Swimming Pools,
Spas and Baths: Design and Construction,
effective 03/30/05.
7.18.3 NMAC, Public Swimming Pools, Spas and Baths: Design and Construction (filed 2/09/05) was
replaced by 7.18.3 NMAC, Public Swimming Pools, Spas and Baths: Design and Construction, effective 07/30/08.
