Section SPS 390.31 - Slides(1). GENERAL. All slides installed as an appurtenance to a public swimming pool or water attraction shall be designed, manufactured and permanently installed so as to provide a safe and healthy environment for the rider and other occupants of the facility. Note: For accessibility information, refer to the final accessibility guidelines for recreational facilities, Federal Register, Vol. 67, No. 170, as published Tuesday, September 3, 2002.
(2). DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING. (a) The total water volume of a separate balancing tank serving runout slides shall be a minimum of 2 times the combined flow rate of the pumps or of a sufficient volume based on velocity and time of the propulsion system and backwash requirements.(b) Pool slides, drop slides and waterslides shall be so designed that parts with external surfaces that may come in contact with a person using the slide are assembled, arranged and finished so that they are smooth and continuous with and will not cut, pinch, puncture or cause an abrasion to any person.(c) All slide flumes shall be designed and constructed so as each person using the waterslide remains inside the flume path during normal use.(d) All curves, turns and tunnels on the path of a flume shall be designed and constructed so as not to present a hazard to any person using the slide under normal use.(e) Pool slides, drop slides and waterslides shall be designed to support the intended use.(f) On-site constructed towers, stairs, platforms and elevated decks providing access to slides shall conform to chs. SPS 361 and 362.(g)1. Slides installed in facilities without a lifeguard staffing plan shall occupy no more than 10 percent of the pool perimeter.2. Slide structures shall have a maximum individual obstruction width of 20 feet.(h) For waterslides and runout slides, all closed curved flumes shall be a minimum of 32 inches in diameter.(i) For all other slides listed in Table 390.31-1, the slide terminus shall be designed to not allow riders to cross into the path of another rider.(3). INSTALLATION. (a) All slide installations shall comply with the parameters as specified in Table 390.31-1.(b) Except where a lifeguard staffing plan has been approved by the department of health services, children's slide obstructions shall comply with all of the following requirements: 1. The side view of the obstruction, as viewed from any point, shall be less than 50 square feet.2. The square footage of the obstruction shall be measured to a height of 6 feet above the water line.3. Individual obstructions shall have at least a 10-foot horizontal separation.4. No more than 20 percent of the pool basin shall be occupied by obstructions. Note: See ch. SPS 390 Appendix for further explanation.
Table 390.31-1
Installation Parameters by Slide Typea
Slide Type | Maximum Slide Height Measured Vertically From the Slide Entrance (in feet) | Slide Terminus Drop to Water Level (in inches) | Water Depth Allowed for Slide Installation (in feet) | Minimum Clear Space In Front of Slide Terminus and Pool Wall (in feet) | Minimum Distance from Slide Flume or Entry to Side Obstructions, unless protected (in feet) | Minimum Separation Distance Between Slides in Same Structure Measured from Side of Sliding Surface, unless protected (in feet) | Maximum Overhang Distance for Deck-mounted Slides (Slide terminus extension into pool) (in feet) |
Children's slide | <= 4 to slide terminus | <= 6 | <= 2 | >= 7.5 | >= 4 | As per manufacturer's recommendation | N/A |
Pool slide | <= 4 to deck | <=6 | <=2 | >=7.5 | >=4 | As per manufacturer's recommendation | N/A |
Pool slide, discharging into water <=2 feet deep | >=4 and <= 6 to deck | <=6 | <=2 | >=10 | >=5 | As per manufacturer's recommendation | 2 |
Pool slide, discharging into water <=2 feet deep | >=6 to deck | Not permitted. |
Pool slide, installed in water >= 3 feet deep | <= 6 | <=6 | >= 3 | >=15 | >=5 | >= 5 | <= 2 |
Pool slide, installed in water >= 3 feet deep | >= 6 | <= 6 | >= 3 | >= 20 | >= 5 | >= 5 | No maximum |
Drop slide, short drop | No limitation | 20 to <= 30 b | 3.5 to 6 b | >= 15 | >= 5 | >= 5 | No maximum |
Drop slide, long drop | No limitation | 30 to 60 | 6 to 12 b | >= 15 | >= 5 | >= 5 | No maximum |
Waterslidec | No limitation | <= 6 or as per manufacturer's recommendation | >= 3 | >= 20 | >= 5e | >= 5 | No maximum |
Runout slide | No limitation | N/A | N/A | For deceleration area, as per manufacturer's recommendation | >= 5e | >= 3 | - |
N/A = not applicable; > = greater than or equal to; < = less than or equal to.
a Slide installation as per manufacturer's requirements if more stringent. For slide types not specifically listed in this table, contact the department.
b Interpolation would be used for increasing drop and increasing depth proportionally.
c Water slides with a drop shall comply with drop slide requirements in this table.
d No minimum separation distance where slide exit prevents exiting over adjacent slide path
e Minimum distance may be reduced if slide terminus is designed and installed to restrict patron exit angle.
(4). SLIDE FLUME WATER. (a) Except for waterslides, water for flume lubrication shall be a maximum of 10 percent of the circulation flow.(b) The balance tank for runout slide flume lubrication systems shall be at a minimum of 2 times the combined flow rate of the water attraction pump and of a sufficient volume to allow operation through all cycles of filtration operation.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Safety and Professional Services SPS 390.31
CR 08-056: cr. Register February 2009 No. 638, eff. 3-1-09; correction in (2) (f), (i), (3) (a) made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 7, Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.