Swimming Pool Accessibility Project

The U.S Access Board contracted the National Center on Accessibility (contract QA95007001) to conduct a research study on access to swimming pools for people with disabilities. The following pages include the findings of the research project.

Executive Summary

This project was conducted for the U.S. Architecture and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to identify and evaluate methods and standards related to enabling access to swimming pools by people with disabilities. It focused on the appropriateness, independent use, degree of consistency with existing building standards, level of safety, and impact on pool design.

With the assistance of a national advisory panel, four principal activities were undertaken: a comprehensive review of literature; a national telephone survey of people with disabilities; a national telephone survey of swimming pool operators, managers, aquatic directors, and adaptive aquatic instructors; and actual pool testing of identified designs and devices by people with disabilities.

A comprehensive review of the literature was organized into four areas. The first area was a review of the published literature of the past 35 years. Seven means of pool access were identified: ramps, lifts, stairs, transfer steps, lifts, zero depth entry, movable floors, and transfer walls. The second area reviewed was the state building codes related to swimming pools. Relevant standards from each state code were presented in table format. The third area examined was the existing standards for public swimming pools and spas, ANSI/NSPI-1 1991 and ANSI/NSPI-2 1992. Finally, the fourth area analyzed the report of the Recreation Access Advisory Committee (1994). The recommendations of each of the sub-committee reports that dealt with swimming pools, sports facilities, places of amusement, and developed outdoor recreation areas, were analyzed separately. Though minor differences in technical specifications were found, there was general agreement among the various sources.

A national telephone survey of 300 people with disabilities was conducted to determine their needs and preferences relative to the effective access to swimming pools. Telephone interviews were completed with 205 subjects, 69% of the sample. Data were collected regarding subject characteristics; pool behavior including frequency, purpose and type of pool used; preferences and problems associated with various means used to access swimming pools. The findings indicated that people with disabilities do use swimming pools with some regularity. There was nearly unanimous agreement that at least one accessible means of entry and exit should be provided at all pools, and most believed that more than one accessible means should be provided. Subjects also clearly indicated that the ability to use a design or device independently was important to them. Although no one means of access was preferred by a majority of subjects, the means of access most often preferred were lifts, ramps stairs, and zero depth entry. Stairs however were only preferred by those who were ambulatory. Similarly, ramps, zero depth entry, movable floors and lifts were the means of access most subjects would be willing to use at a pool. Yet, most of those who had previously used a movable floor would not be willing to use one again.

A national telephone survey of 150 professionals involved with swimming pool operation was conducted. The sample included swimming pool operators, pool managers, aquatic directors, adaptive aquatics instructors, and aquatic therapists. The purpose of this study was to determine the current practices of pool operations related to entering and exiting swimming pools by people with disabilities. Specifically, the study was designed to examine the prevalence of designs and devices used to provide pool access, related policies and procedures, as well as safety and maintenance concerns of aquatic professionals. The results supported the finding of the earlier survey that people with disabilities do frequent pools. People with disabilities account for 14% of pool users at those pools that collect data on pool users with disabilities. Seventy-three percent of the respondents indicated that each of the pools operated by their agencies had a least one accessible means of entry for people with disabilities and 48% reported more than one. Stairs, lifts, ramps, and zero depth entry were the means of access most frequently found at pools. Respondents reported on the safety and maintenance concerns for each of the devices or designs.

On-site testing of the identified means of pool access was conducted to examine the appropriateness, independent use, and safety of the identified means of pool access by people with diverse disabilities. This was accomplished by observing 84 people with disabilities using the identified means of providing access to swimming pools. Subjects' buoyancy points ( =34.6 in.) and their perceptions of design/device strengths and weaknesses were presented. Entering was perceived as easier than exiting swimming pools using each of the identified means of water access. There were significant differences between ambulatory and non-ambulatory subjects in the perceived difficulty of the designs and devices. Most of the designs and devices were significantly easier to use by ambulatory subjects than they were for non-ambulatory subjects. Only lifts and transfer steps were easier for non-ambulatory subjects, although non-ambulatory subjects who required assistance in transfers were unable to use the transfer steps. Specific problems with each of the designs and devices were reported.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of the review of literature and three research studies, the following recommendations were presented:

General

1.2. Swimming pools with more than 300 linear feet of pool wall shall provide at least two accessible means of water entry/exit located on accessible routes.

1.3. When only one accessible means of water entry is provided, it shall be a swimming pool lift, wet ramp, or zero depth entry.

1.4. When a second accessible means of water entry/exit is provided, it shall be a transfer wall, transfer steps, movable floor, stairs, swimming pool lift, wet ramp, or zero depth entry. Lifts, wet ramps, and zero depth entry may not be used as a second accessible means of water entry/exit if the same means is used as the first accessible means of water entry/exit.

1.5. When a second accessible means of water entry/exit is provided, it must be located so that in combination with the first accessible means of water entry/exit to serve both ends and sides of the pool.

Ramps

When pool ramps are provide, they should meet the following specifications:

2.2. Slope: The least possible slope should be used for a pool ramp. The maximum slope of a pool ramp shall be 1:12.

2.3. The maximum rise for any run shall be 30 inches.

2.4. The minimum clear width of a pool ramp shall be 36 inches.

2.5. Landings: Level landings must be located at the bottom and top of each ramp and each ramp run. At least one level landing must be located between 24 inches and 30 inches below the stationary water level. The landings must:

2.5.1. be at least as wide as the ramp run leading to it;

2.5.2. have a minimum length of 60 inches clear;

2.5.3. have a minimum of size of 60 inches by 60 inches if the ramp changes direction.

2.6. Handrails: Handrails should be required on all ramps. Ramp handrails should include the following:

2.6.1. Two handrails shall be provided and located 32 to 36 inches apart.

2.6.2. In addition to a top handrail gripping surface mounted at 34 inches to 38 inches above the ramp surface, a second handrail should be mounted between 16 inches and 26 inches.

2.6.3. Handrails should not be required to extend beyond the base of stairs or the base of a ramp where such would protrude into a lane or otherwise programmable area.

2.6.4. Handrails must be affixed so as to not allow movement in any direction.

2.6.5. Handrail diameter should be 1.25 inches to 1.5 inches.

2.6.6. If handrails are mounted adjacent to the pool wall, the space between the wall and the handrail shall be 1.5 inches.

2.7. Aquatic chairs: Facilities that provide ramps must also provide an aquatic chair that meets recommendations 12.1 to 12.5.

Pool Lifts

When provided, pool lifts should meet the following specifications:

3.2. Clear space: A minimum clear deck space of at least 60 x 56 inches to one side and to the front of the lift seat must be provided. The space under the lift seat could be included as part of the clear space as long as the area is unobstructed.

3.3. Seat location: In the raised position the lift seat edge used for transfers must be located over the pool deck at least 12 inches inside the deck edge.

3.4. Seat height: Lift seats should be located 17 inches from the deck to the top of the seat surface.

3.5. Seat width: The lift seat width should be a minimum of 19 inches wide.

3.6. Footrest: A footrest should be attached to the lift seat.

3.7. Armrests should be located on both sides of the lift seat. The armrest located next to the clear deck space should be capable of moving away from the transfer area.

3.8. Controls and operating mechanisms: Controls and operating mechanisms at both the deck level and water level positions should be operable from the front edge of the lift seat and unobstructed by any other component of the lift. Controls and operating mechanisms shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls shall be no greater than 5 lbf (22.2 N).

3.9. Lifts shall be operable from both the deck level and water level.

3.10. Vertical travel: The vertical travel of the lift should allow the lift seat to be submerged 18 inches to 20 inches below the water level.

3.11. Minimum lifting capacity: A minimum weight of 300 lbs. is required for all single person lifts. The lift should also be capable of sustaining a static load of at least three times the rated load.

Zero Depth Entry (Beach Entry)

When zero depth entry is provided it should meet the following specifications:

4.2. Slope: Zero depth entry pools are typically designed with very slight slopes. The maximum slope of a zero depth entry should not exceed 1:12 continuing to a minimum depth of 30 inches. For pools less than 30 inches deep, the slope should continue to the depth of the pool. Whenever the slope exceeds 1:20, it shall be considered a ramp and all recommendations for a ramp would apply.

4.3. Vertical rise: Whenever a zero depth entry slope exceeds 1:20, a maximum rise for any run should be 30 inches.

4.4. Landings: For zero depth entry slopes that exceed 1:20, at least one level landing must be located between 24 inches and 30 inches below the stationary water level. The landings must have a minimum length of 60 inches and a minimum width of 36 inches.

4.5. Handrails: Whenever the slope of a zero depth entry exceeds 1:20, two handrails should be required 36 inches apart.

4.6. Whenever the slope of a zero depth entry exceeds 1:20, handrails shall have a top handrail gripping surface mounted at 34 inches to 38 inches and a second handrail mounted between 16 inches and 26 inches.

4.7. Handrails must be affixed so as to not allow movement in any direction.

4.8. Aquatic chairs: Facilities that provide zero depth entry must provide an aquatic chair that meets recommendations 12.1 to 12.5.

Transfer Wall

When a transfer wall is provided, it should meet the following specifications:

5.2. Wall height: The wall height should be 17 inches above the pool deck.

5.3. Wall depth: The transfer wall should be 12 inches to 15 inches deep.

5.4. Wall surface: The transfer wall surface must be non-abrasive and without any sharp edges.

5.5. Handrails: A minimum of one handrail should be located perpendicular to the pool wall, 4 to 6 inches above the transfer wall and with a minimum of 22 inches clearance on either side of the handrail.

5.6. Dry ramp: If a dry ramp is used to achieve the transfer wall, all of the requirements of ADAAG 4.8.5 will apply to the ramp.

Movable Floors

When a movable floor is provided, it should meet the following specifications:

6.2. Aquatic chairs: Facilities that provide a movable floor as an accessible means of water entry/exit shall provide an aquatic chair that meets recommendations 12.1 to 12.5.

Transfer Steps

When provided, transfer steps should meet the following specifications:

7.2. Transfer surface: The transfer surface of the highest step should be 17 inches above the pool deck.

7.3. Surface: The surfaces should be firm, have no sharp edges, and should not be abrasive in texture.

7.4. Step risers: The risers of transfer steps should be 5 to 7 inches in height. The last step in the water should be at least 18 inches below the water surface.

7.5. Step surface: Transfer steps should have a minimum of 12 inches of tread depth and a minimum of 22 inches tread width.

7.6. Handrails: One handrail should be provided at the side of the transfer step opposite the clear deck space. The handrail should be between 4 inches and 6 inches above the step surface.

7.7. Handrail diameter should be 1.25 inches to 1.5 inches.

Stairs

If stairs are provided as an accessible means of water entry/exit, they should meet the following specifications:

8.2. The minimum clear width of pool stairs shall be 36 inches.

8.3. All steps shall have uniform riser heights and uniform tread widths. Stair treads shall be no less than 11 inches wide.

8.4. Two handrails shall be provided and located 32 to 36 inches apart.

8.5. In addition to a top handrail gripping surface mounted at 34 inches to 38 inches above the ramp surface, a second handrail should be mounted between 16 inches and 26 inches.

8.6. Handrails should not be required to extend beyond the base of stairs or the base of a ramp where such would protrude into a lane or otherwise programmable area.

8.7. Handrails must be affixed so as to not allow movement in any direction.

8.8. Handrail diameter should be 1.25 inches to 1.5 inches.

8.9. If handrails are mounted adjacent to the pool wall, the space between the wall and the handrail shall be 1.5 inches.

Wading Pools

9.2. An accessible means of water entry to wading pools shall be one of the following: transfer wall, transfer steps, pool lift, a wet ramp, or a zero depth entry, provided the means of entry/exit meets each of the recommendations for that means of entry/exit.

Spas

10.2. An accessible means of water entry to spas shall be one of the following: transfer wall, transfer steps, or lift, provided the means of entry/exit meets all recommendations that apply to the selected means of entry/exit.

10.3 An accessible spa that is unattended shall have a means of emergency notification that is adjacent to the accessible means of egress, within reach of someone seated in the spa, and operable at all times.

10.4. Controls and operating mechanisms shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls shall be no greater than 5 lbs (22.2 N).

Removable Designs & Devices

11.2. Removable devices shall be on-site, readily available, maintained and operable at all times. Whenever possible, removable devices should be in place.

11.3. Signage: Whenever devices are removable and not in place at all times, signs must be posted to instruct users as to how the designs/devices can be requested.

Aquatic Chairs

12.2. At least one aquatic chair with a top surface of the seat at 17 inches above the deck shall be provided.

12.3. Seat width: The aquatic chair seat width should be a minimum of 19 inches wide.

12.4. Footrest: Footrests should be provided on the aquatic chair.

12.5. Armrests should be located on both sides of the aquatic chair seat. At least one armrest should be capable of moving away from the side of the chair.

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