WAC 246-260-081
Spray pool design, construction, and
equipment. For more general design and construction
requirements that pertain to all pools, see WAC 246-260-031.
(1) Walking surface. A minimum four-foot wide walking
surface shall extend around the perimeter of a spray feature
sufficient that the spray will not exceed the walkway area in
normal conditions including light wind conditions.
(2) Pool structure. Owners shall ensure each spray pool
has:
(a) Pool surfaces with nonslip finishes impervious to
water;
(b) Uniform pool floor slopes not exceeding one foot of a
slope for every twelve feet of horizontal floor length;
(c) A source of water for the spray feature from an
approved potable water supply;
(d) Water drained to waste disposed in a manner approved
by local authorities or the department after use in the spray
pool, unless it is recirculated with approved treatment as
described in WAC 246-260-031; and
(e) The entire volume of water circulated through an
approved treatment system every thirty minutes or less if
water is recirculated.
(3) Inlets. Owners shall ensure spray nozzles at each
spray pool are designed and maintained to not inflict physical
damage to bathers. Design and construction shall include
evaluation of forces of the spray nozzle including velocity,
pressure and total force in proximity to bathers' eyes and
other body orifices.
(4) Outlets.
(a) Owners shall ensure outlet drains are designed and
maintained to provide sufficient capacity to prohibit water
accumulation in each spray pool.
(b) Piping must be designed so velocity in piping
assuming one hundred percent of the pump recirculation flow
does not exceed six fps between the pump and the outlet drain.
(c) Each spray pool must have two or more outlet drains
that:
(i) Are located at the low point of the pool;
(ii) Are located at least three feet apart, measured
between the centers of the drain covers; and
(iii) Are manifolded with junction fittings placed in the
middle of branch line piping between outlet drains, so that
the length of branch line piping is equal on each side of the
junction fitting, see Figure 081.1;
Figure 081.1
Outlet Drain Branch Line Piping Detail
(iv) Have drain covers removable only with specific
tools.
(d) Multiple outlet drains must be designed so that if
one outlet drain becomes blocked, the remaining outlet drains
are rated to at least one hundred percent of the maximum pump
flow; see Table 081.1.
Table 081.1
Outlet Drain Flow Rating Requirements
Number of Outlet Drains per
Recirculation System
2
3
4
5
Outlet drain rated flow
capacity must be at
least equal to the
percent of maximum
pump flow indicated,
depending on the
number of outlet
drains.
100%
50%
33.3%
25%
(e) Outlet drains that are accessible to pool users and
submerged must:
(ii) Have a maximum flow of one and one-half feet per
second through the cover.
(f) Outlet drains that are accessible to pool users and
not submerged must have:
(i) Openings that prevent the passage of a sphere over
one-half inch in diameter; and
(ii) Drain covers that withstand forces of users.
(5) Emergency equipment. No later than June 1, 2008,
owners of existing pools with single main drains shall install
emergency equipment to shut off all pumps hooked to the
recirculation lines for the pools. This emergency equipment
must be placed within twenty feet of the pool and marked with
an emergency shutoff sign. The shutoff switch must include an
audible alarm which can be heard by those in the area, or the
switch must have an alarm that goes to a point where staff is
always present during the periods the pool is open.
(a) Pools that include dual main drains meeting the
requirements of this section, or other acceptable methods of
providing equivalent protection to the emergency shutoff
switch, are exempt from this requirement.
(b) The owner shall check the shutoff switch at least
twice annually to determine it is properly operating.
(c) The department will develop a guidance document to
aid owners and designers in potential options to the emergency
shutoff switch and audible alarm.
