Section R18-5-221. Diving Areas and Equipment

A.       The dimensions of a diving area in a public or semipublic swimming pool shall comply with minimum requirements for length, width, depth, area, and other dimensions specified in Illustration A. The diving well profile in Illustration A does not apply to a special use pool that is intended for competitive diving and has been approved by Department pursuant to R18- 5-248(A).

B.       Diving equipment shall be permanently anchored to the swim- ming pool deck. Equipment shall be rigidly constructed with sufficient bracing to ensure stability. Supports, platforms, steps, and ladders for diving equipment shall be designed to carry anticipated loads.

C.       All diving stands higher than 21 inches, measured from the deck to the top of the board, shall be provided with stairs or a ladder.

D.       Diving equipment shall have a durable finish. The surface fin- ish shall be free of tears, splinters, or cracks that may be a haz- ard to users.

E.       Steps and ladders leading to diving boards and diving plat- forms shall be of corrosion-resisting materials and shall have slip-resistant tread surfaces. Step treads shall be self-draining.

F.        Diving boards, diving platforms, and starting blocks shall have slip-resistant tread surfaces.

G.       Handrails shall be provided at all steps and ladders leading to diving boards that are 1 meter or more above the water.

H.       Diving boards and diving platforms that are 1 meter or higher shall be protected with guard rails. Guard rails shall be at least 30 inches above the diving board or diving platform and shall extend to the edge of the swimming pool wall.

I.         A label shall be permanently affixed to a diving board and shall include the following:

1.        Manufacturer’s name and address,

2.        Board length, and

3.        Fulcrum setting instructions.

J.        The maximum diving board height over the water is 3 meters. The maximum height of a diving platform over the water is 10 meters.

K.       Starting blocks shall be located in the deep end of a public swimming pool or where the depth of the water is at least 5 feet.

L.       There shall be a completely unobstructed clear vertical dis- tance of 13 feet above any diving board measured from the center of the front end of the board. This clear, unobstructed vertical space shall extend horizontally at least 8 feet behind, 8 feet to each side, and 16 feet ahead of the front end of the board.

Historical Note

Adopted effective February 19, 1998 (Supp. 98-1).