12.1 Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
Key Takeaways
Recreational facilities serving Type A or Type B units must have 25 percent, but not less than one, of each type accessible, and such pools need not provide accessible means of entry into the water.
Pools with 300 linear feet or more of pool wall need two accessible means of entry, at least one a pool lift or sloped entry; smaller pools need one.
Pool lifts sit where the water is 48 inches deep or less, with the raised seat 16 inches from the edge, a 16 to 19-inch seat height, 18-inch submersion, 300-pound capacity and unassisted operation from deck and water.
Sloped entries reach 24 to 30 inches below the water level with two handrails 33 to 38 inches apart; wading pools need a sloped entry to the deepest part.
Hot tubs and spas need one means of entry (lift, transfer wall or transfer system); where clustered, 5 percent but not less than one of each type must comply.
12.1 Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
The Recreational Facilities domain is 6% of the exam, split between General Recreational Facilities (3%) and Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas (3%). The IBC scopes recreation in Section 1111 (the same number in 2021 and 2024), and A117.1 Chapter 10 provides the technical criteria. Note that A117.1-2017 places recreation in Chapter 10 (the 2009 edition used Chapter 11).
Scoping for Recreational Facilities (IBC 1111.1 to 1111.3)
| Section | Facility | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1111.2.1 | R-2 and R-4 recreational facilities serving Accessible units | Every recreational facility of each type serving them is accessible |
| 1111.2.2 | R-2, R-3, R-4 facilities serving a single building with Type A or Type B units | 25 percent, not less than one, of each type of recreational facility accessible, counting every facility of each type on the site |
| 1111.2.3 | Facilities serving multiple buildings with Type A or Type B units on a site | 25 percent, not less than one, of each type serving each building |
| 1111.3 | All other occupancies | Recreational facilities are accessible |
An apartment complex with two pools serving its Type B buildings needs at least one accessible pool (25% of 2, rounded up). Under 1111.4.14 Exception 3, pools required to be accessible by 1111.2.2 and 1111.2.3 need not provide accessible means of entry into the water, only an accessible route to and around them.
Pool Scoping (IBC 1111.4.14)
Swimming pools, wading pools, cold baths, hot tubs and spas are accessible and on an accessible route, with these exceptions:
- Catch pools at the end of a water slide flume need no accessible means of entry if part of the catch pool edge is on an accessible route.
- Where spas, cold baths or hot tubs are clustered, at least 5 percent, not less than one of each type in each cluster, are accessible and on an accessible route.
- Residential recreation pools under 1111.2.2 and 1111.2.3 need no accessible means of entry.
Raised diving boards and diving platforms (1111.4.14.1) and water slides (1111.4.14.2) need not be accessible or on an accessible route.
Means of Entry (A117.1 1009.1)
| Facility | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Swimming pools (1009.1.1) | At least two accessible means of entry: pool lifts, sloped entries, transfer walls, transfer systems or pool stairs; at least one must be a pool lift or a sloped entry |
| Pools with less than 300 linear feet of pool wall | Only one accessible means of entry required (still a lift or sloped entry under the same rule) |
| Wave pools, leisure rivers, sand bottom pools and pools with access limited to one area | One means of entry, which must be a lift, a sloped entry or a transfer system |
| Catch pools | No means of entry if the edge is on an accessible route |
| Wading pools (1009.1.2) | At least one sloped entry |
| Hot tubs and spas (1009.1.3) | At least one means of entry: lift, transfer wall or transfer system; in clusters, 5 percent, not less than one |
Pool Lifts (1009.2)
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Location | Where the water level is 48 in. maximum (not required where the whole pool is deeper; with multiple lifts, only one must be in such an area) |
| Seat location | Raised seat centerline over the deck, 16 in. minimum from the pool edge; deck slope 1:48 maximum between seat and edge |
| Clear deck space | On the side of the seat opposite the water, 36 in. wide, extending forward 52 in. (new; 48 in. existing) from a line 12 in. behind the rear edge of the seat; slope 1:48 maximum |
| Seat height | Stops at 16 to 19 in. above the deck in the raised position |
| Seat | 16 in. minimum wide, with a back rest, firm and stable |
| Footrests and armrests | Footrests that move with the seat (not required on spa lifts); the armrest opposite the water removable or folding |
| Operation | Unassisted operation from both the deck and water levels; controls unobstructed and per 309.4 |
| Submerged depth | Seat submerges 18 in. minimum below the stationary water level |
| Capacity | 300 lb minimum, with a static load of 1.5 times the rated load |
Sloped Entries (1009.3)
Comply with 402, 403 and 405 (1:12 maximum ramp, landings) as modified: surfaces need not be slip resistant; swimming pool sloped entries extend to 24 to 30 in. below the stationary water level, with a landing at that depth where landings are required; wading pool entries extend to the deepest part. At least two handrails complying with 505 are provided, 33 to 38 in. apart; extensions are not required at the bottom landing, and wading pool entries are exempt from the handrail rules.
Transfer Walls (1009.4)
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Clear deck space | 60 x 60 in. at the base, slope 1:48, centered on the grab bar or between two bars |
| Height | 16 to 19 in. above the deck |
| Depth and length | 12 to 16 in. deep; 60 in. minimum long, centered on the deck space |
| Grab bars | At least one, perpendicular to the pool wall, full depth of the wall, top 4 to 6 in. above the wall; 24 in. clearance on both sides of a single bar, or 24 in. between two bars |
Transfer Systems (1009.5)
A transfer platform 19 in. deep and 24 in. wide at the head, at 16 to 19 in. high, with a 60 x 60 in. transfer space centered on a 24-in. side; transfer steps 8 in. maximum high, treads 14 to 17 in. deep and 24 in. wide, reaching 18 in. below the water; grab bars 4 to 6 in. above each step and the platform, on at least one side.
Pool Stairs (1009.6)
Comply with 504.2 through 504.5 (risers may be outside 4 to 7 in. if uniform); at least two handrails 20 to 24 in. apart; no bottom extensions required. Pool stairs count as a means of entry only for the second required means, since one must be a lift or sloped entry.
A new public swimming pool has 340 linear feet of pool wall. What does ICC A117.1-2017 Section 1009.1.1 require?
One accessible means of entry of any type
Two, at least one being a pool lift or sloped entry
Two pool lifts
One sloped entry and one transfer wall, with no lift permitted
A pool lift is being inspected. Which requirement does ICC A117.1 Section 1009.2 impose?
18-inch seat submersion and unassisted operation from deck and water
The seat must be 24 inches above the deck
The lift must be located where the water is at least 60 inches deep at all times
The lift capacity must be 250 pounds
A resort has a cluster of eight hot tubs of the same type. How many must be accessible under the IBC and A117.1?
All eight
Four
Two
One
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