Ind. Admin. Code tit. 675, r. 20-2-14 – Means of entry and exit

Affected: IC 22-12; IC 22-13; IC 22-15; IC 36-7

Sec. 14. (a) All public pools shall have not less than two (2) means of entry and exit located so as to serve both ends of the pool. Pools or water areas over thirty (30) feet in width shall have not less than one (1) means of entry and exit on each side. Not less than one (1) means of entry and exit shall be provided for each seventy-five (75) linear feet, or fraction thereof, of pool perimeter.

(b) A means of entry/exit for the shallow end shall be located between the shallow end wall and the cross section at point "D" in section 15 of this rule, Figure No. 2-1, while a means of entry/exit for the deep end shall be between the deep end wall and the cross section at point "B" in section 15 of this rule, Figure No. 2-1.

(c) Where water depths are twenty-four (24) inches or less at the pool wall, the areas shall be considered as providing their own natural means of entry/exit.

(d) Stairs, ladders, ramps, and recessed treads shall be located so as not to interfere with racing lanes if applicable.

(e) The design and construction of protruding and recessed pool stairs and ramps shall conform to the following:

(1) Stair treads shall have a minimum unobstructed horizontal tread depth of ten (10) inches and a minimum unobstructed surface area of two hundred forty (240) square inches. The nose of the stair tread shall be visually set apart with a minimum two (2) inch width row of floor tile, painted line, or similar means of a color contrasting with the bottom.
(2) Risers at the center line of the treads shall have a maximum uniform height of twelve (12) inches with the bottom riser height allowed to vary plus or minus two (2) inches from the uniform riser height.
(3) Each set of stairs or each ramp shall be provided with at least one (1) handrail to fully serve all treads and risers. Handrails shall conform to the following:
1. (A) Handrails, if removable, shall be installed in such a way that they cannot be removed without the use of tools.
2. (B) The leading edge of handrails facilitating steps and pool exit must be located within eighteen (18) inches, plus or minus three (3) inches, horizontally measured from the vertical plane of the bottom riser.
3. (C) The outside diameter of handrails shall be between one and one-fourth (1 1/4) inches and two (2) inches.
(4) Ramps, when provided, shall be not less than three (3) feet wide nor have a slope greater than one (1) vertical to twelve (12) horizontal.

(f) Underwater seats or benches may serve as part of stairs or recessed treads.

(g) Stairs, ladders, or handrails shall not protrude into the minimum water dimensions shown in section 15 of this rule, Figure No. 2-1.

(h) Ramps within a pool shall be visually set apart such that a bather on the deck or in the water can clearly discriminate the stair or ramp from the unobstructed pool.

(i) The design and construction of pool ladders shall conform to the following:

(1) Pool ladders shall be made entirely of corrosion-resisting materials.
(2) Ladders must provide not less than two (2) grabrails or two (2) handrails.
(3) Below the water level, there shall be a clearance of not more than six (6) inches nor less than three (3) inches between any ladder tread edge measured from the pool wall side of the tread and the pool wall.
(4) The minimum distance between ladder handrails shall be seventeen (17) inches with a maximum distance of twenty-four (24) inches.
(5) There shall be a uniform height between individual ladder treads with a seven (7) inch minimum distance and a twelve (12) inch maximum distance between ladder treads.
(6) Ladder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of one and one-half (1 1/2) inches.
(7) The outside diameter of grabrails or handrails shall be between one and one-fourth (1 1/4) inches and two (2) inches.

(j) The design and construction of recessed treads in the pool wall shall conform to the following:

(1) Recessed treads at the center line shall have uniform vertical spacing of twelve (12) inches maximum and seven (7) inches minimum.
(2) Maximum vertical distance between the pool coping edge, deck, or stair surface, which shall be slip-resisting, and the uppermost recessed tread shall be twelve (12) inches.
(3) Recessed treads shall have a minimum tread depth of five (5) inches and a minimum width of twelve (12) inches.
(4) Recessed treads shall drain into the pool to prevent the accumulation of dirt thereon.
(5) Each set of recessed treads shall be provided with handrails or grabrails to fully serve all treads.
(6) The outside diameter of grabrails or handrails shall be between one and one-fourth (1 1/4) inches and two (2) inches.

(Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission; 675 IAC 20-2-14; filed Aug 14, 1989, 9:00 a.m.: 13 IR 51, eff Sep 1, 1989 [IC 4-22-2-36 suspends the effectiveness of a rule document for thirty (30) days after filing with the secretary of state. LSA Document #89-17 was filed Aug 14, 1989.]; errata filed Nov 15, 1989, 5:00 p.m.: 13 IR 675; readopted filed Sep 11, 2001, 2:49 p.m.: 25 IR 530; readopted filed Sep 21, 2007, 9:20 a.m.: 20071010-IR-675070388RFA; readopted filed Oct 10, 2007, 9:16 a.m: 20071031-IR-675070388RFA; filed Mar 25, 2011, 10:19 a.m.: 20110420-IR-675090789FRA; readopted filed Aug 7, 2013, 8:51 a.m.: 20130904-IR-675130181RFA; readopted filed Jul 2, 2019, 2:21 p.m.: 20190731-IR-675190264RFA; readopted filed Nov 18, 2025, 10:36 a.m.: 20251210-IR-675240566RFA)