Ind. Admin. Code tit. 675, r. 20-5-13 – Means of entry and exit

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

Sec. 13. (a) All public water attractions shall have not less than two (2) means of entry and exit located so as to serve opposite sides of the basin. Basins 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 basin perimeter, unless covered in Table 13-1 of this rule. An exception is leisure rivers with one (1) means of entry and exit every three hundred (300) feet of basin perimeter.

(b) Where water depths are twenty-four (24) inches or less at the basin wall, the basins shall be considered as providing their own natural means of entry and exit.

(c) The design and construction of protruding and recessed stairs and ramps within a basin 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:
1. (A) have a slip-resistant surface finish; and
2. (B) 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 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.

(d) Benches may serve as part of stairs or recessed treads.

(e) Stairs, ladders, or handrails shall not protrude into the minimum water dimensions.

(f) Ramps within a basin shall:

(1) 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; and
(2) have a slip-resistant surface finish.

(g) The design and construction of water attraction ladders shall conform to the following:

(1) 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 wall side of the tread and the water attraction 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.

(h) The design and construction of recessed treads in the 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 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 water attraction 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.

(i) All sloping entries used as a pool entrance shall not exceed 1:12 feet.

(j) When stairs are located in a water depth over four (4) feet (one and two-tenths (1.2) m), the lowest tread shall be not less than four (4) feet below the deck.

(k) Protruding corners shall be rounded to a minimum radius of one-half (1/2) inch.

(l) Handrails shall be located between thirty (30) and thirty-four (34) inches above the ramp or step surface.

(m) Locations for entry and exit shall be in accordance with Table 13-1 as follows:

TABLE 13-1
ENTRY AND EXIT LOCATIONS
Pool Type	Entry and Exit Points
Activity	Ingress/egress at any point in the pool but no greater than 40 feet (12.2 m) from any point.
Leisure river	Not less than one means of entry and exit shall be provided. Additional exits shall not exceed 300 linear feet of basin perimeter.
Plunge	Entry prohibited from deck areas. Egress by ladders, steps, or ramps as determined by designer, a maximum of 50 feet (15.25 m) from any point.
Vortex	Minimum of one entry/exit point.
Wave	Patron access prohibited at all areas except beach end. Side and end wall passage located to accommodate guard needs.

(Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission; 675 IAC 20-5-13; 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)