§ 34-590. Whirlpools.

(a)

Application. All sections of this article for pools shall apply to whirlpools with the following additional provisions:

(1)

Whirlpools that are emptied and cleaned after each single-bather use are exempt from this article.

(2)

Depths. Water depth shall be no more than four feet. No seat or bench shall be more than two feet below the normal waterline.

(3)

Slopes. Slope of the whirlpool floor shall not exceed one foot in 12 feet. The whirlpool floor, seat and steps shall be completely self-draining.

(4)

Walk areas and decks. A walk area or deck no less than five feet in width as measured from the inside wall of the whirlpool shall surround the whirlpool on at least one-half of the perimeter of the whirlpool.

(5)

Thermometer. All whirlpools shall have a non-mercury based, shatter-proof thermometer that is in close proximity to and can be viewed by bathers at all times.

(b)

Circulation system.

(1)

Circulation. The circulation equipment shall be operated continuously on a 24-hour basis to obtain the minimum required rate of one turnover every 30 minutes.

(2)

Skimming system. A minimum of one skimmer shall be provided for each 100 square feet of whirlpool surface area or major fraction thereof. Air intakes for therapy pumps shall be protected with an approved screen or grate, shall be located within the equipment room, and shall have the intake opening installed at least 12 inches from the surface of the floor.

(3)

Inlets. A minimum of two inlets shall be provided. Inlets shall be evenly spaced a maximum of ten feet apart, or major fraction thereof, and located as close to the floor as possible or in the floor. No inlet shall be less than 18 inches below the normal water level. Hydrotherapy inlets shall be installed flush with the pool wall or floor.

(4)

Suction outlets. Source water for hydrotherapy systems shall be through the main drains, a surge chamber, or other approved device. Sufficient flow area shall be provided so that the combined or separate circulation and hydrotherapy full-flow velocity through the main drain grates or suction outlets does not exceed 1½ feet per second. A minimum of two main drains or suction outlets for each circulation system or hydrotherapy system suction line shall be provided and spaced evenly and as far apart as possible in the deepest portion of the whirlpool floor; or, located on two different whirlpool surface planes, i.e., one on the bottom and one on the opposite vertical wall at the lowest point.

(c)

Rules and Regulations. In addition to the minimum required posting of safety rules, section 34-585(m) (rules and regulations), the following additional statements shall be required, with a minimum letter height of one inch and conspicuously posted in the whirlpool area:

(1)

Elderly persons, pregnant women, or persons with any adverse health condition not allowed without consultation and permission from their medical doctor.

(2)

Persons under the influence of alcohol, drugs or stimulants not allowed in whirlpool.

(3)

Do not enter if water temperature exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

(4)

Do not use for more than ten minutes without exiting and cooling down.

(5)

Enter and exit with caution.

(d)

Safety equipment. Whirlpools with surface areas less than 250 square feet are exempt from the safety equipment requirements stated in section 34-587(d) (lifesaving equipment), for swimming pools. Each whirlpool shall have the following equipment:

(1)

Clock. A clock, with a minimum 12-inch (face, shall be provided and mounted vertically so as to be clearly seen by all bathers in the whirlpool.

(2)

Timer. If a therapy or booster pump is installed, a pump timer shall be mounted on a wall at normal switch height above the floor, at least five feet away from the pool edge, equipped with a maximum timer limit of 15 minutes.

(Ord. No. 09-0120, 1-7-09)