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. Spas shall have a maximum water depth of four (4) feet. The spa floor shall slope to a main drain and the slope shall not exceed one (1) foot in twelve (12) feet (1:12) and the slope shall be uniform.

(c)   Steps. Steps shall be provided and shall be located to provide adequate entrance to and exit from the spa. The number of sets of steps required shall be on the basis of 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) (relating to steps, ladders and stairs). 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 shall have a minimum continuous tread length of twelve (12) inches and a minimum tread width of ten (10) inches.

(2)   Step riser heights shall 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 shall be uniform in width and height, respectively.

(d)   Handrails. Handrails shall be provided for all sets of steps and shall be anchored in the bottom and shall extend over the coping and anchor in the deck. 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. Spa decks shall comply with the following requirements in addition to the applicable parts of OAC 310:315-7-6 (relating to walkways or decks).

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

(2)   Decks shall 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)   Decks shall provide adequate access for cleaning and maintenance of the spa, and for assisting persons in distress.

(4)   Decks shall not 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 shall be based on one (1) skimmer for each fifty (50) square feet or fraction thereof of spa water surface area. Multiple surface skimmers shall be equally spaced. All surface skimmers shall meet the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems) and the system shall be designed for thirty (30) gallons per minute per skimmer. Overflow gutters shall meet the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems).

(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)   Suction openings. All suction openings in spas shall have covers or grates with sufficient open area to prevent the flow velocity through the open area from exceeding one and one-half (1-1/2) feet per second. This same velocity restriction shall apply to suction intakes for water jets.

(i)   Chemical feeders. Feeders for chlorine or bromine shall be specified, shall meet the requirements for the specific spa, and shall be in accordance with OAC 310:315-7-16 (relating to disinfection and pH control). (Note: chlorine is not recommended for disinfection in hot water facilities.)

(j)   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.

(k)   Filtration recirculation. Spas shall have a minimum of one (1) turnover every thirty (30) minutes. Note that minimum flow may be determined by the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-11 (relating to public spas). The piping, fittings, and hydraulic requirements shall be in accordance with OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems) and OAC 310:315-7-15 (relating to filters). All recirculation lines to and from the spa shall be valved in order to control the recirculation flow. A main drain connected to the recirculation pump meeting the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-11 (relating to public spas) shall be required. Strainers shall be sized at least twice the area required in OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems). Spa water shall not be allowed to overflow or be piped into another bathing facility unless it is first disinfected and filtered.

(l)   Vacuuming. Spas shall have provision for vacuuming.

(m)   Temperature. The maximum water temperature for spas shall be 105^oF (40.6^oC) and this maximum temperature shall be posted at pool side. A thermostatic control for the water shall be provided.

(n)   Rental spas. Facilities renting spas designed to provide privacy for users shall have louvered, non-locking doors in each spa enclosure, a help-call system using low voltage call switches to activate central station visual and sound signals, and a fire exit for the facility. An attendant certified in CPR shall be present at all times when any rental spa is in use.

(o)   Capacity. The maximum capacity for public spas shall be 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 capacity shall be one (1) person per one hundred fifty (150) gallons. The design capacity shall be posted prominently in the area adjacent to the spa.

(p)   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 and falling into the spa, with its shallow seats. The barrier shall not form a ladder nor a diving platform and shall not include any impalement hazard.

[Source: Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2003, eff 6-25-09]