ADA Regulations for Swimming Pools
What’s Going On??

Agenda
Review Regulations
Swimming Pool Requirements
ADA Time Line and Rule Making
Facility Preparation
Where to Get More Information

Americans with Disabilities Act
Background
Civil Rights Movement
Architectural Barriers Act (1968)
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (1982)

Enforcement-Department of Justice
Rule Making Process
Complaint driven statute
Private lawsuits
Other methods of enforcement

Affected Facilities
NOT Affected:
Apartments
Condominiums
HOA’S
Private Country Clubs

Safe Harbor
1991 Regulations
2010 Requirements
Grandfathering
Not for Swimming Pools

Scoping
Percentage of an element required to be accessible
No Scoping for Swimming Pools

Means of Access
Swimming Pools
Five permitted means of access

Means of Access
Swimming Pools
Five permitted means of access
Pool Lift

Means of Access
Pool Lift Requirements:
Independent operation

Means of Access
Pool Lift Requirements:
Independent operation
Seat width

Means of Access
Pool Lift Requirements:
Independent operation
Seat width
Foot rest

Means of Access
Pool Lift Requirements:
Independent operation
Seat width
Foot rest
Clear deck space

Means of Access
Pool Lift Requirements:
Independent operation
Seat width
Foot rest
Clear deck space
Set back

Means of Access
Pool Lift Requirements:
Independent operation
Seat width
Foot rest
Clear deck space
Set back
Seat height

Means of Access
Pool Lift Requirements:
Independent operation
Seat width
Foot rest
Clear deck space
Set back
Seat height
Water depth

Means of Access
Pool Lift Requirements:
Independent operation
Seat width
Foot rest
Clear deck space
Set back
Seat height
Water depth
Weight capacity

Is it Compliant?
C=P+I
Pool Deck Worksheet
Owner’s responsibility

How Do I Know?
Third party verification
Remember—installation is equally important

Means of Access
Swimming Pools
Five permitted means of access
Pool Lift
Sloped Entry

Means of Access
Sloped Entry requirements:
1:12 Slope
Handrails
Landing
Depth

Means of Access
Swimming Pools
Five permitted means of access
Pool Lift
Sloped Entry
Transfer Wall

Means of Access
Swimming Pools
Five permitted means of access
Pool Lift
Sloped Entry
Transfer Wall
Transfer System
Accessible Pool Stairs

Means of Access
Swimming Pools
Five permitted means of access
Pool Lift
Sloped Entry
Transfer Wall
Transfer System

Means of Access
Swimming Pools
Primary
Secondary
Size
300 ft. or more
<300 ft.

Means of Access
Other Bodies of Water
Spas
Wave Action, Leisure Rivers
Wading Pools
Catch Pools

Compliance Requirement
New Construction
Existing Facilities

Readily Achievable
Definition
Application Example
Ongoing responsibility

ADA Timeline

Full Compliance Required by March 15, 2012…May 21, 2012
ADA Timeline

Accessageddon
January 2012

Rule Making Issues
Fixed vs Portable
Sharing Lifts
Lifts positioned at all times

Manufacturer’s Support

Financial Assistance
• Tax Breaks
Leasing
Possible grants

Maintenance
Any equipment used to provide accessibility, must be maintained in proper working condition.

Preparing a Facility
Know the Law
Implementation Plan

Facility Audit
Is facility under ADA jurisdiction
Identify elements that need to be made accessible
Evaluate existing means of access for compliance with ADAAG

Implementation Plan
Identify barriers
Determination of achievability
Select means of access
Installation schedule
Additional policies or procedures
Maintenance Program

Training
Barrier removal modifications
Equipment operation
Procedures
Sensitivity

Sample Implementation Plan

Document!

More Information
www.ada.gov
www.apsp.org
www.poollifts.com

Thank You!