R392-302-13. Decks and Walkways

  (1) A continuous, unobstructed deck at least 5 feet, 1.52 meters, wide must extend completely around the pool. The deck is measured from the pool side edge of the coping if the coping is flush with the pool deck, or from the back of the pool curb if the coping is elevated from the pool deck. Pool curbs shall be a minimum of 12 inches wide. The pool deck may include the pool coping if the coping is installed flush with the surrounding pool deck. If the coping is elevated from the pool deck, the maximum allowed elevation difference between the top of the coping surface and the surrounding deck is 19 inches, 38.1 centimeters. The minimum allowed elevation is 4 inches.

  (2) Deck obstructions are allowed to accommodate diving boards, platforms, slides, steps, or ladders so long as at least 5 feet, 1.52 meters, of deck area is provided behind the deck end of any diving board, platform, slide, step, or ladder. Other types of deck obstructions may also be allowed by the local health officer so long as the obstructions meet all of the following criteria:

  (a) the total pool perimeter that is obstructed equals less than 10 percent of the total pool perimeter; likewise, no more than 15 feet, 4.56 meters, of pool perimeter can be obstructed in any one location;

  (b) multiple obstructions must be separated by at least five feet, 1.52 meters;

  (c) an unobstructed area of deck not less than five feet, 1.52 meters, is provided around or through the obstruction and located not more than fifteen feet, 4.55 meters, from the edge of the pool.

  (d) the design of the obstruction does not endanger the health or safety of persons using the pool; and

  (e) written approval for the obstruction is obtained from the local health official prior to, or as part of, the plan review process.

  (3) The deck must slope away from the pool to floor drains at a grade of 1/4 inch, 6.35 millimeters, to 3/8 inch, 9.53 millimeters, per linear foot.

  (a) The Local Health Officer may allow decks to slope towards the pool for deck level gutter pools if it can be demonstrated that it will not adversely affect the pool's water quality and:

  (i) the deck must slope back towards the pool for a maximum distance of five feet, 1.52 meters, from the water's edge; and

  (ii) the portion of the deck that slopes back towards the pool must slope towards the pool at grade of 1/4 inch, six millimeters, to 3/8 inch, ten millimeters, per linear foot; and

  (iii) a minimum of three feet, 91.4 centimeters, of deck that meets R392-302-13(3) must be provided beyond the high point of said deck.

  (4) Decks and walkways must be constructed to drain away any standing water and must have non-slip surfaces.

  (5) Wooden decks, walks or steps are prohibited.

  (6) Deck drains may not return water to the pool or the circulation system.

  (7) The operator shall maintain decks in a sanitary condition and free from litter.

  (8) Carpeting may not be installed within 5 feet, 1.52 meters, of the water side edge of the coping. The operator shall wet vacuum any carpeting as often as necessary to keep it clean and free of accumulated water.

  (9) Steps serving decks must meet the following requirements:

  (a) Risers of steps for the deck must be uniform and have a minimum height of 4 inches, 10.2 centimeters, and a maximum height of 7 inches, 17.8 centimeters.

  (b) The minimum run of steps shall be 10 inches, 25.4 centimeters.

  (c) Steps must have a minimum width of 18 inches, 45.72 centimeters.