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An Overview of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements for Public Pools and Spas

 

Every day brings us closer to the time when handicap accessible is not the exception, but the rule. With these boundaries lifted, handicap persons are able to access more and more places with ease and comfort. The addition of pool lifts will make public pools and spas one of the areas the handicap will soon be able to enjoy. Effective March 15, 2011, new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for public pools and spas were enacted, making pool lifts or sloped entries mandatory. Compliance to these regulations is required by March 15, 2012.

A few of the major points of the ADA requirements for public pools and spas are outlined below:

• Pools less than 300 linear feet must have one means of entry that is either sloped or a pool lift.
• Pools larger than 300 linear feet must have at least two means of entry.
• One must be a sloped entry or a pool lift.
• The other can be a sloped entry, pool lift, transfer wall, or transfer system.
• Pool lifts must be located in water not exceeding 48 inches deep.
• Pool lifts, in the raised position, should have the centerline of the seat located over the deck and be a minimum of 16 inches from the edge of the pool.
• The deck surface between the centerline of the seat and the edge of the pool should not have a slope steeper that 1:48 in order to minimize the possibility of a wheelchair rolling away.
• Pool lifts should stop at a minimum height of 16 inches and a maximum of 19 inches in the raised position, measured from the deck to the top of the seat, to allow persons of varying height ease of access.
• Pool lift seats should be at least 16 inches wide.
• Footrests that move with the seat must be provided.
• If an armrest is provided, the armrest positioned opposite the water needs to be removable or fold clear of the seat when the seat is in the raised position in order to ease the transfer from the lift to a wheelchair.
• Pool lifts must have controls enabling persons both in the water and on deck unassisted operation, so that a person can call and operate the lift regardless of positioning.
• Pool lift seats must submerge to a water depth of 18 inches minimum below stationary water level.
• Single person pool lifts must have a minimum weight capacity of 300 pounds and be capable of sustaining a static load of at least one and a half times the rated load.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does give you most of the basic requirements for pool lifts in public pools and spas as per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

To look at the exact ADA requirements for public pools and spas in their entirety go to the Americans with Disabilities Act’s website.

This list of ADA requirements for public pools and spas may seem daunting, but the staff at All Terrain Medical & Mobility can help. Not only do they carry the latest in pool lifts and other pool equipment for the handicapped, they know all of the latest ADA requirements for public pools and spas. There are many styles of pool lifts to choose from and many are available with free shipping. Don’t risk installing expensive equipment that may not meet ADA requirements for public pools and spas. Go to AllTerrainMedical.com today. Please feel free to direct any questions you may have to customerservice@allterrainmedical.com.

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