Okla. Admin. Code § 310:315-7-11

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 310:315-7-11 - Public spas

(a)Spas. Spas shall be made of concrete or other impervious materials with a finish adapted to the needs of the facility. Spas shall be of such shape and size as to be operated and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner. In addition to the requirements of this section, compliance is required with all other applicable sections of this chapter.

(b)Water depths and floor slopes. The maximum water depth of a spa is four (4) feet. The spa floor shall slope uniformly to a main drain and cannot exceed one (1) foot in twelve (12) feet (1:12).

(c)Steps. Steps shall be provided for adequate entrance to and exit from the spa. The number of sets of steps required equals one (1) for each fifty (50) feet, or major fraction thereof, of spa perimeter. They shall be constructed of an easily cleaned impervious materials having a slip resistant finish. Step sets for spas with more than two hundred (200) square feet of spa water surface area shall comply with OAC 310:315-7-5(a). Step sets for spas with two hundred (200) square feet or less of spa water surface area shall comply with the following:

(1) Step treads have a minimum continuous tread length of twelve (12) inches and a minimum tread width of ten (10) inches.

(2) Step riser heights do not exceed twelve (12) inches, except that when the bottom step is used for a bench or seat, the bottom riser may be a maximum of fourteen (14) inches.

(3) Intermediate treads and risers between the top and bottom treads and risers are uniform in width and height, respectively.

(d)Handrails. Handrails that are anchored in the bottom and extend over the coping and anchor in the deck shall be provided for all sets of steps. Where "figure 4" handrails are used, they shall be anchored in the deck and shall extend laterally to a point vertically above the bottom step.

(e)Decks. A spa deck shall comply with all of the following requirements in addition to the applicable parts of OAC 310:315-7-6:

(1) Slope a minimum of one-fourth (1/4) inch per foot away from the spa to drainage or to deck drains.

(2) Have a minimum four (4) foot unobstructed width around the entire spa perimeter except that small indoor spas of less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet of spa water surface area shall have a minimum four (4) foot unobstructed deck around a minimum of fifty (50) percent of the spa perimeter.

(3) Provide adequate access for cleaning and maintenance of the spa, and for assisting persons in distress.

(4) Deckscannot be more than ten (10) inches below the top of the curb.

(f)Surface skimmers. Surface skimmers or overflow gutters shall be provided. The minimum number of surface skimmers required is one (1) skimmer for each fifty (50) square feet or fraction thereof of spa water surface area. Multiple surface skimmers shall be equally spaced. The system shall be designed for thirty (30) gallons per minute per skimmer.

(g)Air or water jet systems. Therapy or jet systems shall be independent of the recirculation-filtration and heating systems. In particular, therapy suction outlets shall be separated from filter system outlets sufficiently to ensure no interference with required filter system flow.

(h)Filtration system inlets. Adjustable filtration system inlets shall be provided for spas based on a minimum of one (1) for each twenty (20) feet or fraction thereof of spa perimeter. Additional inlets shall be installed if needed to meet flow requirements. Spas with less than twenty (20) feet of perimeter shall have a minimum of two (2) equally spaced adjustable inlets.

(i)Filtration recirculation. Spas shall have a minimum of one (1) turnover every thirty (30) minutes. Strainers shall be sized at least twice the area required in OAC 310:315-7-14. Spa water shall not be allowed to overflow or be piped into another bathing facility unless it is first disinfected and filtered.

(j)Temperature. The maximum water temperature for spas cannot exceed 105oF (40.6°C) and this maximum temperature shall be posted pool side. A thermostatic control for the water shall be provided.

(k)Capacity. The maximum capacity for public spas is one (1) person per three (3) feet of spa perimeter, or one (1) person per two hundred (200) gallons of water, whichever is less. For spas four hundred fifty (450) gallons or smaller, the maximum capacity is one (1) person per one hundred fifty (150) gallons. The design capacity shall be posted prominently in the area adjacent to the spa.

(l)Spa contiguous with pool. Where a spa and a swimming pool share a wall in common, a barrier shall be mounted atop the common wall to discourage patrons from walking on the wall. The barrier shall not form a ladder nor a diving platform nor include any impalement hazard.

Okla. Admin. Code § 310:315-7-11

Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2003, eff 6-25-09

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/11/2022