R392-302-37. Special Purpose Pools: Spa Pools

(1) The manager shall ensure that each spa pool: (a) meets any applicable requirement of this rule in addition to this section; (b) meets the bather load requirement of Subsection R392-302-26(3)(a); (c) does not exceed a maximum water depth of four feet; (d) is equipped with at least one set of stairs with a handrail, as described in Subsection R392-302-13(3); (e) that is constructed adjacent to another pool and shares a common pool sidewall separating the two pools is constructed such that: (i) the top surface of the common pool sidewall does not exceed 18 inches in width; (ii) the top surface of the common pool sidewall is marked with: (A) a four inch "No walking" icon; or (B) "No walking" written in block letters at least four inches in height in a contrasting color; (iii) the deck space around the rest of the spa is a minimum of five feet and accounts for at least 25% of the spa pool perimeter; and (iv) the common pool sidewall is not considered a deck obstruction under this rule; (f) has a minimum of one turnover each 30 minutes as described in Table 1; (g) has a minimum number of surface skimmers based on one skimmer for each 100 square feet of surface area or fraction thereof; and (h) is equipped with an automated controller that monitors chemical demands, including pH and disinfectant demands, and regulates the amount of chemical that feeds into the pool circulation system. (2) The manager may allow a pool deck to be included as part of the spa deck if the pools are separated by a minimum of five feet. (3) The manager shall ensure that each spa pool with an air induction system meets the requirements of Subsection R392-302-19(8), including jet or water agitation systems. (4) If wall inlets are used in a spa pool, the manager shall ensure the number of inlets is based on a minimum of one for each 20 feet, or fraction thereof, of pool perimeter. (5) If floor inlets are used in a spa pool, the manager shall ensure the floor inlets meet the requirements in Section R392-302-20 and that there are a minimum of two floor inlets regardless of spa pool size. (6) The manager shall ensure that each spa pool suction outlet meets the requirements of Section R392-302-21, except for each spa pool pump that uses multiple suction outlets, the outlets shall be spaced as follows: (a) where two outlets are provided, the individual outlets are spaced at least three feet apart from each other as measured from the centers of the drain covers or grates; or (b) where a third drain is provided, the separation distance between the three individual outlets is at the maximum possible spacing. (7) The manager shall ensure that the maximum water temperature for a spa pool is 104 degrees Fahrenheit. (8) The manager shall ensure that: (a) water jets and air induction ports on a spa pool are controlled by an automatic timer that limits the duration of their use to 15 minutes per each cycle of operation; (b) the timer switch is mounted in a location that requires a bather to exit the spa pool before the timer can be reset for another 15-minute cycle or part thereof; (c) a clearly labeled emergency shutoff or a control switch that stops the motor providing power to the recirculation system, jet system, and water feature systems is installed: (i) at a point readily accessible to a bather; (ii) at least five feet away from the spa pool; (iii) adjacent to the spa pool; and (iv) within sight of the spa pool; and (d) a non-lifeguarded spa pool has an audible alarm sound when the emergency shutoff or control switch is activated. (9) The manager shall post a sign that contains the following information: (a) a sign heading with the safety signal word "Caution" centered at the top of the sign; and (b) sign text that states: (i) "Elderly persons and those suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should consult a physician before using the spa pool"; (ii) "Persons suffering from a communicable disease transmissible via water may not use the spa pool"; (iii) "Persons using prescription medications should consult a physician before using the spa pool"; (iv) "Individuals under the influence of alcohol or other impairing chemical substances should not use the spa pool"; (v) "Bathers should not use the spa pool alone"; (vi) "Pregnant women should not use the spa pool without consulting a physician"; (vii) "Bathers should not spend more than 15 minutes in the spa pool in any one session"; (viii) "Children aged 14 years and younger must be accompanied and supervised by at least one responsible adult over the age of 18 years"; (ix) "Children aged five years and younger are prohibited from bathing in a spa pool or hot tub"; and (x) "Running or engaging in unsafe activities or horseplay in or around the spa pool is prohibited." (10) A spa pool does not need to meet the: (a) color requirements described in Subsection R392-302-9(1)(c); (b) requirement of having two entry or exit points as described in Subsection R392-302-13(1)(a), but shall be equipped with a minimum of one entry or exit point; (c) unobstructed pool deck requirement of five feet as described in Subsection R392-302-15(1) if the spa pool has a continuous unobstructed deck that is at least three feet wide around 25% or more of the spa pool perimeter and the remaining deck complies with Section R392-302-15; (d) requirements in Section R392-302-29; (e) the maximum water depth as described in Subsection (1)(c) if the spa pool is used for instruction, treatment, or therapy; and (f) the requirement to locate outlets at the deepest point in the pool if the outlets are located on sidewalls within three inches of the pool floor and a wet vacuum is available onsite to remove any water left in the spa pool after draining. (11)(a) A spa pool bench may have a maximum depth to the horizontal surface of 28 inches below the waterline; and (b) If the bottom step of a spa pool serves as a bench or seat, the bottom stair rise may be a maximum of 14 inches instead of the maximum stair rise requirement of 12 inches described in Subsection R392-302-13(2)(d).