DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - AQUATIC FACILITY CODE OF PRACTICE
Application
The Requirements of this Part do not apply to facilities constructed prior to the introduction of this Standard
Aquatic facilities shall be structurally sound, and engineered to withstand all forces imposed by the design of the facility and its anticipated use.
Pre-moulded fibre-reinforced plastic pools shall be designed, fabricated and installed in accordance with the following Australia New Zealand Standards:
- AS / NZS 1838 – 1994: Design and Fabrication.
- AS / NZS 1839 – 1994: Installation.
In addition to the requirements of this Section, spa pools shall comply with the provisions in Section 9 of this Code.
2.3.2 Hydrotherapy Pools
In addition to the requirements of this Section, hydrotherapy pools shall comply with the provisions in Section 11 of this Code.
Aquatic facilities shall be constructed of materials that are non-toxic to humans under normal conditions of use, impervious, enduring, capable of withstanding design stresses, and provide a watertight structure.
The walls and floors shall be smooth, impervious, durable, easily cleanable and continuous, with no cracks, joints or protrusions other than structural joints. Floor surfaces shall be slip resistive.
The colour of wall and floor finishes shall be no darker than the colours listed in Appendix 1, as defined by AS 2700. This requirement does not apply to:
● Lane markings ● Safety markings
· Hand holds ● Copings
· Step edges
The walls and floors shall not incorporate designs that are shaped in a form that may be reasonably mistaken for a human form, or that may inhibit detection of submerged persons.
2.6 Use of Sand and Earth Material
Clean sand, or similar material, if used in a beach pool, shall only be used over an impervious surface. The sand shall be specifically produced for use in such an environment, and used in such a manner as to not adversely affect the proper filtration, water treatment, maintenance, safety, sanitation, water clarity and operation of the overall aquatic facility. Positive up-flow circulation of water through the sand shall be provided at all times.
2.7 Obstruction and Entrapment
Aquatic facility water bodies shall not be designed or constructed with obstructions that can cause patrons to become trapped or injured. Examples include wedge or pinch-type openings and rigid cantilevered protrusions.
All protruding edges and corners of facilities shall be rounded.
Fixtures and fittings in the walls and floors of the water body, shall be fitted flush and have no sharp and protruding edges.
2.8.1 Prefabricated Pools
Prefabricated pool walls shall not slope towards the pool by more than 11º for at least 75% of the depth of the pool, at any point along its perimeter. Any projections such as safety ledges shall be confined within the 11º angle from the top of the pool wall, and shall not project outwards greater than 600mm.
2.8.2 Non-Prefabricated POOLS
Non-prefabricated pool walls shall be vertical for at least not 75% of the depth of the pool, at any point along its perimeter. Any projections such as safety ledges shall be confined within the 11º angle from the top of the pool wall, and shall not project outwards greater than 600mm.
2.8.3 Diving Bowls
The wall slopes for diving pools, or diving bowls, shall comply with FINA design requirements.
Where a radius is required, the wall-to-floor junction radius in aquatic facility water bodies shall be coved and easily able to be cleaned.
An aquatic facility water body of less than 12.5 metres in length shall have a pool floor with an even gradient that does not exceed 1:10.
An aquatic facility water body of 12.5 metres or more in length shall have pool floor slopes that do not exceed 1:15, where the water depth is less than 1.75 metres.
Changes within the floor gradient at a water depth greater than 1.8m shall be highlighted with a contrasting colour, such as contrast tiles or painted lines.
2.13.1 General Requirements
Access into or egress from an aquatic facility water body shall consist of one or a combination of the following:
Stairs/steps, ladders, swim-outs, pool-seats, landings, ramps or beach entries.
Aquatic facility water bodies shall have a means of access/egress at the shallowest point, if the water depth exceeds 600mm. A means of egress shall be provided in the deepest point of the water body, if the water depth is 1.8m or greater. Where the water body is greater than 9 metres wide, a means of egress shall be provided on both sides of the water body at the deepest point.
Handrails shall be provided for ramps and each set of steps/stairs.
All surfaces for access/egress shall be slip-resistive in accordance with Appendix 6 – Slip Resistance Performance and Testing.
2.13.2 Dimensions
Swim-outs, pool-seats and landings shall not extend greater than 600mm from the vertical pool wall at any given point and shall not be located at a depth greater than 450mm below the pool concourse, coping deck or header. The outer 50mm edge of the stair/step tread shall be finished in a contrasting colour.
Stairs/steps for water bodies less than 12.5m in length shall have a minimum horizontal tread depth of 200mm, and a maximum rise of 300mm, except for the bottom riser height to the floor, which may vary. The outer 25mm edge of the stair/step tread shall be finished in a contrasting colour.
Stairs/steps for water bodies 12.5m, or greater in length shall have a minimum horizontal tread depth of 300mm, and a maximum rise of 250mm. The outer 50mm edge of the stair tread shall be finished in a contrasting colour.
2.13.3 Spa & Hydrotherapy Pools
Spa Pools and Hydrotherapy Pools shall be provided with means of access and egress as provided in section 9 and 11 of “The Code”.
Indoor aquatic facilities shall be provided with mechanical ventilation systems. The systems shall have a minimum ventilation capacity as required by this Section. The capacity of the systems shall be calculated based on the following:
Occupancy:
· Deck and pool 3.5 m2 per person.
· Spectator areas: 1.5 m2 per person.
Ventilation requirements:
· 10 litres per second of outdoor air per person, or
· 10 litres per second per m2 of total floor area including pools as determined by the design engineer.
The above ventilation air quantities are minimum requirements. The Executive Director Public Health, or Local Government, may require greater quantities to maintain adequate control of the air quality.
Group Four facilities used after sunset, shall be illuminated by overhead lighting to a minimum level of 30 lux, and to such a level that will allow a Secchi disc placed on the floor of the water body to be seen from the concourse.
Aquatic facility concourses shall be illuminated in compliance with the above requirements to a distance of 3 metres from the water body.
Indoor facilities shall be provided with lighting systems that can achieve the above illumination levels.
Lighting fixtures must be of a type and located so as they shall not cause glare to supervisory staff, or patrons using the facility.
Aquatic facilities not provided with lighting shall be provided with signage at all access points to the facility, which incorporates the statement “No Use of Facility Allowed After Dark” in letters at least 100mm high.
The requirements of this Clause shall not apply to shower and sanitary facilities in private residential premises associated with Group Four facilities, or any concourse areas consisting of grass.
All installed surfaces shall be slip-resistive and maintained such that the available friction is sufficient to enable a person to traverse the surface without unreasonable risk of slipping.
Refer to Appendix 6 for guidelines on the measure of slip resistance that should be maintained within certain areas of an aquatic facility.
Adequate drainage shall be provided in all areas that may become wet. The concourse shall be graded to drain away from the water body, to prevent water from accumulating on the concourse or draining back into water bodies. All general site and roof drainage shall be directed away from water bodies.
Group Four facilities shall be provided with fencing and security measures that comply with Australian Standard AS 1926.1, and for the purpose of “The Code” a door that provides access into the pool area, shall comply with AS 1926.1, clause 2.14 Child-resistant doorset.
Group Four facilities may be provided with alternative fencing and security measures, provided they afford an equivalent or greater degree of safety to AS 1926.1.
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