R 325.2134 Ladders, stairways, and ramps.

Rule 34. (1) A swimming pool owner shall equip a swimming pool with ladders, stairways, or similar means of egress in compliance with all of the following provisions: (a) Have at least 1 means of egress at each end of a pool, other than a wading pool, water slide pool, or a spa pool, that is less than 30 feet wide. (b) Have not less than 2 means of egress located at opposite sides and at each end of a pool, other than a wading pool or a water slide pool, that is 30 or more feet wide. (c) Have at least 1 means of egress for a water slide pool or a spa pool. (d) Have a means of egress consisting of a ladder, stairway, or ramp for a pool other than a water slide pool or a spa pool. (e) Have a means of egress consisting of a stairway or ramp for a water slide pool or a spa pool. (f) Have at least 1 ladder for each diving board in a diving area. (2) A swimming pool owner shall ensure that the distance from any point in a swimming pool to a means of egress is not more than 50 feet, except that a wave pool may have more than 50 feet to a means of egress where the water depth is less than 3.5 feet. (3) A swimming pool owner shall ensure that a swimming pool ladder is corrosion- resistant and sturdy and has slip-resistant treads, side rails extending over the deck, and not more than 6 inches of clearance to the swimming pool wall. A swimming pool owner shall ensure that a recessed ladder has stepholes which drain into the swimming pool and which are easily cleanable and has a grab rail at each side of the ladder. (4) A swimming pool owner shall ensure that a stairway leading into a swimming pool is in compliance with all of the following provisions: (a) Has slip-resistant treads. (b) Has uniform size treads that are not less than 12 inches deep and uniform size risers that are not more than 10.5 inches high for a swimming pool other than a spa pool. (c) Has uniform size treads that are not less than 11 inches deep and uniform size risers that are not more than 12 inches high for a spa pool. (d) Has the front edge of each step marked in a color that contrasts with the background. (e) Is located where the water depth is either not more than 4 feet or is in a diving area and is located where the stairway will not be a hazard to swimmers. (f) Has 1 sturdy handrail per 12 feet of the stairway width or fraction of 12 feet or in accordance with other applicable codes and is reachable for the length of the stairway. The stairway may have the top tread wider and the top or bottom riser shorter than the others. (5) A swimming pool owner shall ensure that a ramp leading into a swimming pool is in compliance with all of the following provisions: (a) The slope is not steeper than 1 in 12 from the horizontal. (b) Terminates where the water depth is 3.5 feet or less. (c) Is located where the ramp will not be a hazard to swimmers. (d) Is slip-resistant. (e) Has a sturdy handrail along each side of the ramp which is reachable for the length of the ramp. (6) A swimming pool owner shall ensure that a stairway or ramp for a water slide pool is wide enough to accommodate the expected usage and, preferably, as wide as the exit end of the pool.