(a) Location.

1. (1) An outdoor pool location shall be evaluated during the design phase to reduce exposure to excessive pollution by dust, smoke, leaves, or other potential sources of contamination.
2. (2) The pool/spa shall be located so that drainage from the surrounding area will not wash contamination into the pool/spa during rains.
3. (3) Gutters from buildings adjacent to the pool/spa area shall not discharge onto the pool deck.

(b) Material.

1. (1) General.

   1. (A) Pools, spas, and related facilities shall be constructed of concrete or other approved material, with a white or light colored finish.
   2. (B) Materials shall be:

(i) Inert;

1. (ii) Nontoxic to humans;

   1. (iii) Impervious;

      1. (iv) Permanent; and
      2. (v) Enduring.
   2. (C) Materials must withstand the design stresses with an adequate factor of safety.
   3. (D) Materials must provide a water-tight tank with a smooth and easy to clean surface or to which a smooth, easy to clean finish can be applied.

2. (2) Approved pool material.

   1. (A) Approved pool materials include, but are not limited to:

      1. (i) Concrete;
      2. (ii) Stainless steel wall with concrete bottom; or
      3. (iii) Fiberglass wall with a concrete bottom.
   2. (B) Concrete may be required behind the walls of fiberglass wall panel pools if the bracing system is determined to be inadequate for support.

   3. (C) Vinyl on sand, earth, or material other than concrete shall not be permitted in:

      1. (i) Pools;
      2. (ii) Spas; or
      3. (iii) Water recreational attractions.
   4. (D) Vinyl liners may be installed over existing approved construction materials as a method of repair.

3. (3) Approved spa materials.

   1. (A) Approved spa materials include any of the approved pool materials or one-piece fiberglass or acrylic prefabricated units.
   2. (B) Other materials will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis per 20 CAR § 136-124.

4. (4) Safety ledges. Safety ledges are not permitted in pools constructed after the effective date of this part or when the shell is remodeled after the effective date of this part.

   1. (c) Shape, design, and slopes.

5. (1) Swimming pools.

   1. (A)

      1. (i) Pools shall be designed and constructed of such shape and contour so that efficient and safe control of the pool and bathers can be accomplished.
      2. (ii) The pool bottom shall have definite slopes to the outlet.

   2. (B)

      1. (i) Minimum standard pool dimensions and slopes are defined in Figures 1, 2, 3, and Chart A in Appendix A.
      2. (ii) The minimum dimensions on “No Diving” pools may be reduced if adequate justification is provided on a detailed site plan during the plan review process.
      3. (iii) Whenever the size of the pool is reduced, the Department of Health may increase the turnover requirements to ensure adequate recirculation/filtration/and disinfection and specify certain safety requirements such as adequate “No Diving” signage.
6. (2) Competition pools. These shall meet the design standards of the appropriate accreditation association and/or this part as determined by the department.

7. (3) Wading pools, spray pools, and spas.

   1. (A) The bottom shall slope not less than three inches (3”) in ten feet (10’) toward the drains, nor more than six inches (6”) in ten feet (10’) toward the drain or drains.

   2. (B)

      1. (i) No obstructions such as excessively raised drains, steps, or concrete appurtenances on which children may fall or become injured shall be placed in the wading pool or spray pool area.
      2. (ii) This does not preclude the installation of water features such as water spray devices.
      3. (iii) Design features shall be reviewed during preliminary review with the department.

8. (4) Water slides.

   1. (A)

      1. (i) The minimum plunge pool operating water depth at the slide flume terminus shall be three feet (3’).
      2. (ii) This depth shall be maintained for a minimum distance of ten feet (10’) in front of the slide terminus from which point the plunge pool may have a constant upward slope to allow a minimum water depth of two feet (2’) at the base of the steps.
      3. (iii) The floor slope shall not exceed one foot (1’) in ten feet (10’).
      4. (iv) The slide flume shall terminate at, or six inches (6”) below, normal water operating level.
      5. (v) The slide flume shall be perpendicular to the plunge pool wall for a minimum length of ten feet (10’) at the exit end of the flume or flumes.
      6. (vi) The minimum distance between any plunge poolside wall and the outer edge of any slide flume terminus shall be four feet (4’).
   2. (B) All sections of the flume shall be properly formed and sealed together so as to prevent possible abrasions or injuries.

9. (5) Water recreation attractions, special purpose pools, controlled, limited use spas, therapy pools/spas.

   1. (A) Special consultation with the department is necessary in order that consideration can be given to concepts of design variations and to areas where potential problems may exist.
   2. (B) Therefore, prior to preparation and submission of engineering plans and specifications, the design engineer shall consult with the department to ensure the department has a complete understanding and agrees to the design concepts of the project.

   3. (C) Preliminary design plans shall be submitted for review.

      1. (d) Walk areas — Pool deck.

10. (1) General.

    1. (A) Walk areas shall extend entirely around the perimeter of the pool.
    2. (B) Walks shall be constructed of concrete or other approved material and kept in good repair.
    3. (C) The walks shall be adequately drained by sloping at least one-fourth inch (1/4”) per foot away from the pool.
    4. (D) New products used on or as pool decks shall be reviewed per 20 CAR § 136-124.

11. (2) Deck drains.

    1. (A) Deck drains must be installed where necessary to prevent standing water on the deck.
    2. (B) All deck drainage must be “to waste” and not be filtered or returned to the pool.
    3. (C) The deck drain grates shall be removable to facilitate the cleaning of the drains.
12. (3) Use of carpet. The use of carpet on indoor or outdoor pool/spa facilities is prohibited.

13. (4) Minimum deck widths.

    1. (A) Poolside tables and chairs or other equipment should not obstruct the deck areas.
    2. (B) The minimum widths for each type of pool are listed.

       Pool Type	Walk Area Requirement
       Outdoor pool	8 feet
       Indoor pool	4 feet
       Pool with diving board – water surface of 3,000 sq. ft. or less	4 feet behind board
       Pool with diving board – water surface greater than 3000 square feet	8 feet behind board
       Wading Pool or Spray pool	4 feet
       Water Slide	4 feet except at exit side where the walk shall be a minimum of 10 feet
       Spa	4 feet around 50% of the spa
       Water Recreation Attractions	As determined by the department
       Special Purpose Pools	As determined by the department

(f) Ventilation.

1. (1) All indoor pool/spa enclosures must be properly ventilated to prevent the accumulation of moisture.
2. (2) Ventilation shall meet the requirements of the current Arkansas State Mechanical Code, 17 CAR pt. 260.

(g) Lighting.

1. (1) Area lighting. The following requirements shall be met whenever the pool is in operation:

   1. (A) Area lighting shall be provided at all pools/spas;
   2. (B) A minimum of five (5) foot-candles per square foot of pool area shall be provided.
   3. (C) Where underwater lighting is not used the area lighting shall provide not less than ten (10) foot-candles per square foot of pool area.
   4. (D) When the pool is not in operation, security lighting is recommended.

2. (2) Arrangement.

   1. (A) The arrangement and design of the area lighting shall be such that personnel may clearly observe every part of the:

      1. (i) Pool;
      2. (ii) Diving boards; and
      3. (iii) Other walk areas.
   2. (B) Lights shall be so installed as to create no hazards to bathers.
3. (3) Underwater lights. Where underwater lights are used, not less than five-tenths (0.5) watts per square foot of pool water surface area shall be provided.

(h) Hose connections. Sufficient hose connections of adequate size and water pressure and equipped with vacuum breakers shall be provided for cleaning all of the pool area.

1. (i) Steps, benches, and ladders.

2. (1) General.

   1. (A) Steps, benches, and ladders shall be of an impervious material and of such design that they can be easily cleaned.
   2. (B) They shall be so designed and constructed that no water is left on them when the water level in the pool is lower than the steps.
   3. (C) The steps must have a nonskid surface.
   4. (D) Permanent black or dark colored edge stripes or tiles must mark the steps.
   5. (E) Handrails shall be provided for all steps.
   6. (F) When figure 4 type handrails are used for spa steps, they may be mounted to the deck.
   7. (G) The ladders must be readily removable.
   8. (H) All pool benches or other underwater design features must be clearly marked on the vertical and horizontal faces or edges.

3. (2) Placement and minimum number.

   1. (A) One (1) ladder shall be provided for each seventy-five feet (75’) of pool perimeter.
   2. (B) On “No Diving” pools, with a maximum depth of five and one-half feet (5 1/2’), one (1) ladder may be deleted provided that steps with handrails are installed in the shallow end of the pool or if the pool has zero depth entry.
   3. (C) Pools with diving boards or wells shall have two (2) ladders placed in the diving end.

(j) Sand beaches or landscape area in pool enclosures.

1. (1) Limited access.

   1. (A) Sand beaches or landscape areas shall not be located inside of the pool enclosure unless an approved barrier to prevent access on the part of the bathers is provided.
   2. (B) If access is allowed to such areas, satisfactory facilities shall be provided for the proper cleansing of bathers before they again enter the bathing areas.
   3. (C) This may include the installation of foot showers.
2. (2) Preliminary design review. Design of these facilities shall be submitted in the preliminary stages for consultation with the department in order that consideration can be given to areas where potential maintenance or safety problems may exist.

(k) Foot baths.

1. (1) The use of footbaths is prohibited.
2. (2) This does not preclude the use of foot showers, provided the area is well drained away from the pool.