Pools

Residential Swimming Pool Requirements

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

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

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
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

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

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

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.

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.

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’

There are additional requirements for:

Based on 2020 Indiana Residential Code

*This is not an exhaustive list of requirements. See current Code for all requirements.