SECTION 310:315-7-12. Water recreation attractions

(a)   General. Water recreation attraction projects require special consultation with the Department in order that consideration can be given to concepts of design variations and to areas where potential problems may exist. In addition to the requirements of this section, compliance is required with all other applicable sections of this chapter. Plans for supervision, attendants, and lifeguards will be an important feature to be considered for water recreation attractions, and shall be presented in the engineering report accompanying plans and specifications.

(b)   Water slides.

(1)   Recreational water slide. A recreational water slide facility shall consist of one (1) or more flumes, plunge pool, a pump reservoir, filtration, disinfection, and chemical treatment facilities.

(2)   Water slide plunge pool. Plunge pools are located at the base of slide flumes. They shall be constructed of concrete or other impervious materials with a smooth slip-resistant finish. The plunge pool design shall be as follows:

(A)   The minimum plunge pool operating water depth at the slide flume terminus shall be three (3) feet. This depth shall be maintained for a minimum distance of ten (10) feet in front of the slide terminus from which point the plunge pool floor may have constant upward slope to allow a minimum water depth of two (2) feet at the base of the steps. The floor slope shall not exceed one (1) foot in ten (10) feet. The plunge pool water depth shall be commensurate with safety and the ease of exit from the plunge pool.

(B)   The plunge pool dimension between any slide flume exit or terminus and the opposite side of the plunge pool shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet excluding steps.

(C)   The slide flume terminus shall be at a minimum depth of six (6) inches below the plunge pool operating water surface level or it may be at the water surface level or up to a maximum of two (2) inches above the water surface level provided the terminal portion of the slide flume is parallel to the water surface for a minimum distance of ten (10) feet. The minimum distance between any plunge pool side wall and the outer edge of any slide flume terminus shall be four (4) feet. A minimum length of ten (10) feet of slide flume shall be perpendicular to the plunge pool wall at the exit end of the flume(s).

(D)   The plunge pool shall have a main drain, complying with OAC 310:315-7-14(h) (relating to outlets), with separate piping and valve to the filtration system. The velocity through the openings of the main drain grate shall not exceed one and one-half (1-1/2) feet per second at the design flow rate of the recirculation pump. The main drain piping shall be sized to handle one hundred (100) percent of the design flow rate of the filtration system in accordance with 310:315-7-14.

(E)   The plunge pool floor shall slope to the main drain(s) and the slope shall not exceed one (1) foot in ten (10) feet.

(F)   Plunge pool decks shall meet the following requirements as follows:

(i)   The minimum width of plunge pool decks along the exit side shall be ten (10) feet.

(ii)   All plunge pool decks shall have a minimum six (6) inch high curb.

(iii)   All plunge pool decks shall slope (drain) away from the plunge pool unless the curb is located at the outside perimeter of the deck. If the curb is located at the outside perimeter of the deck, the plunge pool deck shall slope to the plunge pool and/or pump reservoir or to deck drains which discharge to the same. All slopes shall be a minimum of three (3) inches in ten (10) feet.

(3)   Bathhouse facilities. Bathhouse facilities shall be provided in accordance with OAC 310:315-7-7 (relating to bathhouse). For very large water recreation attractions, the number of bathhouse fixtures may be based on usage experience data.

(4)   Pump reservoirs. Pump reservoirs shall be made of concrete or other impervious material with a smooth slip-resistant finish and shall be connected to the plunge pool by a weir. Pump reservoirs shall be for the slide pump intakes. Pump reservoir designs shall be as follows:

(A)   The minimum reservoir volume shall be equal to two (2) minutes of the combined flow rate in gpm of all filter and slide pumps.

(B)   Pump reservoirs shall be isolated by a locking cover or enclosure and shall be accessible only to authorized individuals.

(C)   Access decks shall be provided for the reservoir such that all areas are accessible for vacuuming, skimming, and maintenance. The decks shall have a minimum width of three (3) feet and shall have a minimum slope of three (3) inches in ten (10) feet away from the reservoir. A minimum six (6) inch high curb shall protect the reservoir.

(D)   Pump reservoir slide pump intake(s) shall be located in the pump reservoir and shall be designed to allow cleaning without danger of operator entrapment.

(E)   The pump reservoir shall have a main drain, complying with OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems), with separate piping and valve to the filtration system and the velocity through the openings of the main drain grate(s) shall not exceed one and one-half (1-1/2) feet per second at the design flow rate of the filtration system in accordance with OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems).

(5)   Slide pump check valves. Slide pumps shall have check valves on all discharge lines.

(6)   Perimeter overflow gutters or skimmers. Plunge pools and pump reservoirs shall have perimeter overflow gutter systems and/or skimmers which shall be an integral part of the filtration system.

(A)   Perimeter overflow gutter systems shall meet the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems) except the gutters are not required directly under slide flumes or along the weirs which separate plunge pools and pump reservoirs.

(B)   Surface skimmers may be used in lieu of perimeter overflow gutters and shall be appropriately spaced and located according to the structural design. Unless an overflow gutter system is used, a minimum of two (2) surface skimmers each shall be provided in the plunge pool. Skimmers shall meet the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems).

(7)   Water slide recirculation-filtration equipment.

(A)   The recirculation-filtration system of water slides shall recirculate and filter a water volume equal to the total water volume of the facility in a period of one (1) hour or less.

(B)   Minimum filter area requirements shall be twice the filter areas specified for the recirculation rate stipulated in OAC 310:315-7-15 (relating to filters).

(C)   Any filtration system pump which takes suction directly from the plunge pool and reservoir shall have a minimum eight (8) inch diameter hair and lint strainer, meeting the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-14 (relating to recirculation systems) on the suction side of the pump.

(D)   Submerged suction outlets must meet the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-14 (related to recirculation systems).

(8)   Water slide chemical feed equipment.

(A)   Gas chlorination is recommended for disinfection for all water recreation facilities. Chlorinators must meet all the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-16 (relating to disinfection and pH control).

(B)   Feeders for pH adjustment shall be provided, shall meet the requirements of OAC 310:315-7-16 (relating to disinfection and pH control), and shall be capable of meeting the feed rate necessary for the specific installation.

(C)   When diatomaceous earth type filters are used, an acceptable diatomaceous earth type feeder meeting the minimum feeding requirements of OAC 310:315-7-15 (relating to filters) shall be provided regardless of the design filtration rate.

(c)   Water amusement lagoons.

(1)   Submission of engineering plans. The design engineer shall consult with the Department prior to preparation and submission of engineering plans and specifications for water amusement lagoons.

(2)   Water amusement lagoons. Water amusement lagoons shall be constructed of concrete or other impervious materials with a smooth slip-resistant finish. These lagoons shall be of such shape and design as to be operated and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.

(3)   Recirculation-filtration system. The recirculation-filtration system of water amusement lagoons shall be capable of a minimum of one (1) turnover every thirty (30) minutes.

(d)   Wave pools and tube rides.

(1)   Submission of engineering plans. The design engineer shall consult with the Department prior to preparation and submission of engineering plans and specifications for wave pools.

(2)   Wave pool construction. Wave pools shall be constructed of concrete or other impervious materials with a smooth slip-resistant finish. These pools shall be of such shape and design as to be operated and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.

(3)   Recirculation-filtration system. The recirculation-filtration system of wave pools and tube rides shall be capable of a minimum of one (1) turnover every four (4) hours.

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