15A NCAC 18A .2522. DECKS

(a)  Outdoor swimming pools shall have a continuous deck extending completely around the swimming pool.  The width of the deck or walkway shall provide at least six feet of clear walking space at all points.  If the swimming area of the pool is 1600 square feet or larger, at least eight feet of clear walking space is required.

(b)  Indoor swimming pools shall have a continuous deck or walkway extending completely around the swimming pool.  The width of the deck shall provide at least five feet of clear walking space at all points. Structures covering swimming pools, including temporary domes, shall be constructed to maintain a vertical clearance of at least seven feet from all parts of the required clear walk space.

(c)  Wading pools shall have a continuous deck extending completely around the wading pool.  The width of the deck or walkway shall provide at least four feet of clear walking space at all points.

(d)  Spas shall have a continuous deck extending at least one‑half way around the spa.  The width of the deck or walkway shall provide at least four feet of clear walking space at all points.

(e)  There shall be at least five feet of clear walking space around any diving board, handrail, slide or other permanent structure installed on a swimming pool deck.

(f)  All deck areas and walkways shall be sloped at a grade of one-fourth inch to one-half inch per foot to a deck drain or sheet drain to deck edge.  Deck drains shall not be connected to the circulation system in any manner.

(g)  All decks and walkways shall have a slip‑resistant, impervious surface.

(h)  Sufficient hose bibs shall be provided to allow all areas of the deck to be reached with a 100 foot hose.

(i)  Special purpose pools such as waterslides and wave pools may vary from the minimum deck area requirements to the extent necessary to accommodate the special features of the pool.

(j)  Structures necessary to provide access to a public swimming pool by persons with disabilities shall be allowed to vary from the provisions of this Section to the extent necessary to accommodate such access.  Such structures shall be approved on a case-by-case basis and shall be designed so as to minimize obstruction of the deck.

(k)  For all swimming pools constructed after April 1, 2000 decks shall be continuous with the top of the pool wall or gutter and shall not be more than nine inches above the standard operating water level.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A‑282;

Eff. May 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2004; April 1, 1999; January 1, 1996; July 1, 1992.