Pools
Residential Swimming Pool Requirements
Materials of Construction
- Non-toxic to man and the environment
- Impervious and reasonably enduring
- Withstand stresses
- Water-tight
- Smooth and easily cleaned
Structural Design
- Design to be in accordance with generally accepted structural engineering practices
- No limit for shape of pool
- Sand or earth is not an acceptable interior finish
- No obstructions/protrusions that could cause entrapment
Floor Slope
- Shall have uniform slope
- Shallow end shall have a maximum of 1’ in 7’ slope for a minimum of 6’
- Deep end shall have a maximum of 1’ in 3’ slope
Pool Walls
- All walls shall be within 11 degrees of the vertical
- Shallow end walls must be within 11 degrees of the vertical for a minimum of 2’-3”
- Deep end walls must be within 11 degrees of the vertical for a minimum of 2’-9”
- After these depths (2’-3”, 2’-9”) are achieved, the walls below can curve to meet the floor
Decks
- No requirements for width of deck
- Decks to slope away from pool to remove all water without leaving puddles
- Concrete Decks
- Minimum slope 1/8” per foot, max slope 1” per foot
- Exposed aggregate concrete decks
- Minimum slope 1/4” per foot, max slope 1” per foot
- Wood decks
- Maximum slope 1/8” per foot
- Concrete Decks
- Max horizontal gap in deck joints: 3/16”, max difference in vertical distance at joint: 1/4”
- Edges of decks shall have a radius to eliminate sharp corners
Pool Egress
- There shall be a means of egress provided in the shallow portion
- A means of egress is required in the deep portion if the water depth exceeds 5’
Circulation Equipment and Piping
- All piping other than such that is integral to the pool itself shall be pressure tested at 25 psi for 30 min. before deck is installed
- Valves shall have a 10” diameter access box for servicing
- Circulation equipment to have capacity to produce a 12 hour turnover rate
- Water clarity shall be maintained
- Water velocity in system piping shall not exceed 10 fps for discharge piping and 8 fps for suction piping
- When pump is located below the water level, valves shall be installed to facilitate removal of pump
- Equipment shall be designed to drain the pool
Water Supply/ Wastewater Disposal
- There shall be no direct connection between the potable water supply and any of the circulation piping unless protected by backflow preventer or air-gap
- Disposal of backwash water shall be discharged into a sanitary sewer by means of an air gap or into an approved subsurface disposal system
Electrical
- No receptacles located within 10’ of pool edge, except for pump receptacle which can be within 5’ of pool edge
- All receptacles located within 20’ of pool edge must be GFCI protected
- Flexible cords are limited to a length of 36”
- Switching devises shall not be installed within 5’ horizontally of pool edge
- Lights and ceiling fans shall not be installed less than 12’ above pool or must be a minimum of 5’ horizontally outside pool edge and 5’above water level (some exceptions apply)
- An equipotential bonding grid is required under all pools and decks made of electrically conductive material, including concrete. All electrically conductive materials involved in the pool installation shall be a part of this bonding grid. See Indiana Residential Code for specific requirements.
Safety Features
- Suitable hand holds around perimeter shall be provided where depths are 3’-6” or greater
- Access to pools shall be restricted by a 4’ barrier around the perimeter of the pool and deck. Above ground pool walls are an acceptable barrier if over 4’. Any gates must be able to be latched and locked. A pool safety cover satisfying the testing requirements of ASTM F 1346–19 is an acceptable barrier.
- Rope anchor devices shall be installed 1’-2’ on the shallow side of a point of change in floor slope. If the point of change occurs in a water depth greater than 4’-6”, a transition rope supported by buoys shall be installed.
Life Safety Equipment
- The following items shall be readily available at each pool:
- Ring or throwing buoy fitted with 40’ of 1/4” diameter line
- Pole not less than 12’
Additional Requirements
There are additional requirements for:
- Diving equipment
- Slides
- Heaters
- Surface skimmer
- Chemical feeders
Based on 2020 Indiana Residential Code
*This is not an exhaustive list of requirements. See current Code for all requirements.