Title 18 . Environmental Conservation

Chapter 30 . Administrative Enforcement

Section 515. Shape, slope, and depth

18 AAC 30.515. Shape, slope, and depth

(a) Decks must slope away from the pool to perimeter deck drains to prevent debris from being washed into the gutter return system. Decks may not slope more than a ratio of 1:24.

(b) Pool bottoms may not slope more than a ratio of 1:8, unless the edge of a steeper slope is clearly marked by a floating safety line or permanent barrier. The safety line must be kept in place at all times, except when the pool is used for lap swimming or competition and is closed to the general public. The safety line or permanent barrier must be placed one foot toward the shallow end, away from the break point line, and must be strung tightly to allow a swimmer to hold onto the line. Underwater ledges are prohibited. Pool sides must be vertical

(1) to a water depth of at least six feet; or

(2) for a distance of 2.5 feet below the water level, below which the wall must be curved to the bottom with a radius not to exceed

(A) at the 3-foot depth, a 6-inch radius cove at the base of a 2.5-foot vertical section;

(B) at the 3.5-foot depth, a one-foot radius cove at the base of a 2.5-foot vertical section; and

(C) at the 5-foot depth, a 1.5-foot radius cove at the base of a 3.5-foot vertical section; from this point, the springline or point of departure from vertical may rise through an 8-foot transitional zone, measured horizontally, to a typical deep end wall design consisting of at least a 2.5-foot vertical section, with a curved section from that point meeting the floor of the pool; the requirements of this paragraph are indicated on Table B of this subsection.

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TABLE B MAXIMUM RADIUS COVING OF POOL INTRUSION DIMENSIONS BETWEEN POOL FLOOR AND WALLS Pool Depth 2 ft. 3 ft. 3.5 ft. 5 ft. >5 ft. Minimum Sidewall Vertical Depth (Springline) 1.5 ft. 2 ft., 2 in. 2.5 ft. 3.5 ft. >3.5 ft. Maximum Radius of Curvature 6 in. 10 in. 1.0 ft. 1.5 ft. * *

** Maximum radius equals pool depth minus the vertical wall depth. Radius of coving may not intrude into pool within diving envelope.

Note: For pool depths falling between the depths listed in this table, values may be interpolated.

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(c) The deck must be at least 6.5 feet wide. Where diving boards are located, the deck must be at least 13 feet wide.

(d) The ratio of the area of the pool deck to the surface of the pool water must be at least 1:1.

(e) The dimension in the diving area of a pool must conform to Table C of this subsection.

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TABLE C DIVING AREA DIMENSION REQUIREMENTS Height of board Minimum water Horizontal Unobstructed (in meters) depth at end of separation head room above board and 12 ft. between board, diving board/ beyond tower, and side tower walls 0.0 - 2.0 m. 11 ft., 10 in. 10 ft. 16 ft., 6 in. 2.1 - 3.0 m. 12 ft., 6 in. 10 ft. 16 ft., 6 in. 3.1 m. or higher 15 ft. 10 ft. 16 ft., 6 in.

(f) Water depth must be clearly and durably marked on the pool walls and deck in numerals at least four inches high with a color-contrasting background. The depth of the water in the pool must be plainly marked at or above the water surface on the vertical pool wall. Depth markers must be

(1) installed on the edge of the deck or walk next to the pool, at maximum and minimum depths, at each point where the pool depth drops more than one foot, and at intermediate one-foot increments of depth; and

(2) placed at intervals not greater than 25 feet around the perimeter of the pool.

(g) The words "NO DIVING" must be clearly and durably printed on the deck where depths are less than five feet. Lettering must be at least four inches high with a color-contrasting background.

(h) If depth markers cannot be placed on the vertical walls above the water level, other markings that are plainly visible to persons in the pool must be used. The depth in the diving areas must be clearly marked.

History: Eff. 6/4/83, Register 86; am 12/23/93, Register 128

Authority: AS 44.46.020