§ 34-591. Waterslides/splash pools.

(a)

Application. All sections of this article for swimming pools shall apply to any pool used in whole or part as a splash pool for a waterslide(s) with the following additional provisions:

(b)

Construction.

(1)

Design, construction and maintenance. All slides and slide components shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and this article so that they will not constitute a safety, physical or health hazard given its normal intended use and purpose. Design and materials used in construction shall be in accordance with proper structural engineering practice for providing a sound, durable structure.

(2)

Flume clearances. The distance between the side of a flume exit and a pool side wall shall be at least five feet and the distance between sides of adjacent flume exits shall be at least six feet, or in accordance with the slide manufacturer's recommendations, whichever is the greater distance. The distance between flume exits and the opposite side of the pool or end of runout, excluding steps and handrails, shall be at least 20 feet, or in accordance with the slide manufacturer's recommendations, whichever is the greater distance. If more than one waterslide or flume is present, then both flume terminals shall be constructed parallel to each other or to any pool or runout sidewall or other pool structure.

(3)

High-speed slides. Special provisions, approved by the board of health, shall be made in flume exit design, pool depth and pool width as measured from the flume exit, to safely operate high-speed slides in accordance with the slide manufacturer's instructions.

(4)

Flume terminus. The flume shall terminate in accordance with the slide manufacturer's recommendations. The flume terminus shall be parallel with the vertical pool wall, or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

(5)

Depths. The operating water depth of the splash pool at the end of a flume shall be three feet or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, whichever is the greater depth. This depth shall be maintained in front of the flume for a distance of at least 20 feet.

(6)

Access to slide. A surfaced walkway, steps or stairway shall be provided between the pool and the top of the flume. Ladders to the top of the slide, if approved, shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The access to the top of the slide shall be slip-resistant and not allow for standing water, be separated from the flume by a physical barrier, set back far enough from the operating flume such that it cannot be contacted by users on the way down the slide. A minimum five-foot wide, unobstructed deck shall be provided from the base of the access to the slide to the edge of the deck away from the slide.

(7)

Pump reservoirs. The pump reservoirs shall have sufficient volume, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, to contain enough water to insure that the lower splash pool or run-out will maintain a constant water depth. An approved, automatic make-up water device, with backflow prevention, shall be provided for each reservoir.

(8)

Runouts. If approved, runouts shall be constructed in accordance with the slide manufacturer's recommendations.

(c)

Circulation system. A water circulation system consisting of pumps, piping, filters, water conditioning, and disinfection equipment and other accessory equipment shall be provided in order to clarify, condition, and disinfect the splash pool volume of water or water circulated through a runout, and all water used for the slide. The equipment shall be operated on a 24-hour basis to obtain the minimum one turnover every hour.

(d)

Suction outlets and fittings. If suction outlets and fittings separate from the circulation system's main drains are used for make-up water for the slide, they shall be located at the lowest portion of the splash pool or, if used, at the lowest portion of the runout opposite of the fume terminus. Suction outlets and fittings shall comply with the requirements for main drains in sections 34-575, "circulation systems", and 34-576 "piping and hydraulics", and with the latest edition of ANSI/ASME 112.19.8, and installed according to manufacturer's specifications. The circulation system main drains shall be located at the lowest portion of the splash pool.

(e)

Bathing load. The bathing load shall be calculated on the basis of one person in the minimum required splash pool surface area, and a maximum of one person for every 30 square feet of pool surface area in those areas of the splash pool that exceed the minimum required splash pool area. If the slide is a component of a pool other than a dedicated splash pool, then the bathing load is one person in the minimum required splash pool area, and the remaining pool area shall comply with the section 34-573(c) (size).

(f)

Safety. At least one person responsible for the operation of the slide shall monitor and be stationed at the bottom of the slide at all times the slide is open for use. If that person's view of the slide's entry is obscured at any point, then a second slide operator shall monitor and be stationed at the slide's entry point, or if the length of the slide or flume exceeds 30 feet in length. Approved signage shall be posted that state that at any time, only one bather, or device with bathers such as a raft, shall be allowed on the slide after the previous user or raft has exited the splash pool or run-out; only one bather or device with bathers, such as a raft, shall be allowed on the platform to the slide; and only one bather or device with bathers such as a raft shall be allowed in the splash pool. Slide monitors shall enforce these rules. A key-operated, properly grounded switch to operate the pump supplying water to the slide shall be installed on the deck near the slide. An emergency cut-off switch for the slide shall be readily accessible to the slide monitor.

(Ord. No. 09-0120, 1-7-09; Ord. No. 18-0340, Att. A, 5-16-18)