SECTION 310:315-7-7. Bathhouse

(a)   General design requirements. All public bathing places open to the general public shall be provided with adequate toilet facilities, hot water showers, lavatories, drinking fountains, and other required appurtenances. Since the number of each type of plumbing fixture required is based on the maximum number of persons likely to be in the pool area at one time, the engineer, in designing new public pools intended for swimming, should determine the number of such fixtures based on design load.

Shower controls, toilet facilities, and lavatories shall be provided at all bathing places open to the general public such that they can be easily reached by small children and the handicapped.

As a basis for determining the number of plumbing fixtures required on new and existing public bathing places open to the general public, and for the purpose of reviewing plans and specifications submitted to the Department for approval, the maximum probable number of persons likely to be in the pool at one time may be estimated by the formula shown in 310:315-7-3.

(b)   Separate facilities. Bathhouses to be used simultaneously by both sexes shall be divided into two parts, each appropriately designated for men and women and separated by a tight partition. The entrances and exits shall be screened to break the line of sight. If pools are to be used by one sex only, then all of the required plumbing facilities shall be provided for that sex.

(c)   Spectators excluded from bather facilities. Spectators and non-bathers shall be excluded from the toilet rooms provided for the persons using the pool facilities. Should the management desire to accommodate spectators and non-bathers, then separate toilet facilities shall be provided. The requirements of this section shall not be mandatory for bathing places not open to the general public.

(d)   Minimum toilet facilities.

(1)   Men. A minimum of one (1) water-flush toilet and two (2) water-flush urinals shall be provided in the men's division of all bathing places open to the general public. This minimum number of toilet fixtures is considered sufficient for the first one hundred (100) males. In addition to the above, one (1) water closet and one (1) urinal shall be provided for each additional one hundred (100) males or major fraction thereof. A number less than twenty-five (25) will necessitate only one (1) additional urinal. For pools of less than sixteen hundred (1600) square feet surface area in size, used simultaneously by both sexes, this requirement may be reduced by one (1) urinal.

(2)   Women. A minimum of three (3) water-flush toilets shall be provided in the women's division of all bathing places open to the general public. This minimum number of toilet fixtures is considered sufficient for the first one hundred (100) females. In addition to the above, one (1) water closet shall be provided for each additional fifty (50) females or major fraction thereof. For pools of less than sixteen hundred (1600) square feet surface area in size, used simultaneously by both sexes, this requirement may be reduced by one (1) flush closet.

(e)   Showers and lavatories.

(1)   The minimum number of shower and lavatory fixtures shall be as follows:

(A)   Men.

(i)   One (1) lavatory for each one hundred (100) men

(ii)   One (1) shower head for each forty (40) men

(B)   Women.

(i)   One (1) lavatory for each one hundred (100) men

(ii)   One (1) shower head for each forty (40) women.

(2)   At least three (3) shower heads for men and two (2) shower heads for women shall be provided. It is recommended that all shower stalls and dressing booths in the women's shower room be arranged so that privacy may be obtained while dressing and undressing and while under the shower, a minimum design recommendation being that one (1) such shower stall and dressing booth be provided.

(f)   Estimate of toilet facilities for institutional pools. The number of toilet facilities necessary for indoor pools at schools, colleges, and similar institutions where it is intended that the swimmers be in groups or classes at regular intervals and where pools are not open to the general public shall be based on institutional needs and methods of operation; the number of persons permitted in each swimming class, time allowed for bather's preparation, and similar factors shall be used to determine facilities needed. As a general guide, it is recommended that one (1) water closet be provided for each ten (10) females and one (1) toilet and two (2) urinals for each twenty-five (25) males.

(g)   Bathing places not open to the general public.

(1)   Motels, apartment complexes, and similar establishments. Pool side bath or sanitary facilities are not required, providing the following conditions are met:

(A)   All lodging units include bath and toilet facilities.

(B)   Use of bathing facilities is restricted to tenants and their guests.

(C)   Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow openings directly into the pool enclosure without a suitable effective barrier as per 310:315-7-2.

(2)   Bathing places to serve other installations not open to the general public. Bathing places to serve special installations not open to the general public shall have a bathhouse located adjacent to the pool walkway with one (1) water-flush toilet, one (1) lavatory, one (1) shower and one (1) drinking fountain separately provided for both men and for women. One (1) drinking fountain located so that it is available to both sexes is acceptable. The sanitation and safety requirements of 310:315-7-7 shall be complied with.

(h)   Wash water temperature.

(1)   An adequate supply of warm water within the temperature range of 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit is required for all showers and lavatories. On all new construction or the remodeling of present public bathing places, all shower heads shall be provided with fully automatic control valves to prevent scalding of persons under the shower. Either individual thermostatically-controlled mixing valves for each shower head or a master water blender for a gang of shower heads will be acceptable. In order to conserve hot water, each shower head shall be provided with a valve to control the quantity of blended water and to cut off the water when the shower is not being used. This valve shall be located within easy reach of all persons who use the pool facilities. The thermostatic mixing valves or water blending device shall be set to deliver water to the shower heads at a temperature of 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

(2)   The temperature of water for the shower heads shall be regulated by thermostatically-controlled water blenders or mixing valves, provided that should the engineer prefer, a storage tank of ample capacity for storage of low temperature water (95 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit temperature thermostatically-controlled) may be substituted for the combination of high temperature water storage and thermostatically-controlled shower blending devices. Control of shower water temperature by hand-operated mixing valves will not be considered as being in compliance with this safety requirement.

(i)   Bathhouse construction details.

(1)   Walls and ceilings. All interior walls and partitions shall be smooth, impervious, and of non-corrosive material, free of open cracks, kept in good repair, and painted a light color, with painted surfaces refinished when necessary. Walls and ceilings of showers shall be constructed of materials which are not adversely affected by water or heat. Partitions between dressing rooms shall terminate at least ten (10) inches above the floor or shall be placed on a continuous raised masonry or concrete base at least four (4) inches high. Lockers shall be set either on solid masonry bases at least four (4) inches high or on legs with bottom of locker at least ten (10) inches above the floor. Lockers shall be properly ventilated.

(2)   Floors. All floors of showers, toilets, and dressing rooms of public bathing places constructed after passage of the Public Bathing Place Act shall be constructed with a proper slope of one-fourth (1/4) inch per foot so that they can be readily flushed with a hose. Floors shall be of a smooth, non-slip finish, impervious to moisture, and without open cracks or joints. Walkways shall be so constructed that they will readily drain. Junctions between walls and floors shall be of coved, or equivalent sanitary construction.

(3)   Shower stalls. The floor drains in shower rooms or stalls shall be so arranged, and of sufficient number, and with floors constructed and graded, so that wastewater from individual shower heads will not flow over the floor of another shower stall. Floors of the shower stalls shall be slightly depressed below surrounding floor areas. Raised curbs between shower stalls and walks are, however, not acceptable.

(4)   Baskets, lockers, furniture. Baskets, lockers, and all furniture used in the bathhouse and the pool area shall be constructed of non-absorbent, easily cleanable material. The number of baskets or lockers in use at any time shall not exceed the design bathing load.

(5)   Soap. Liquid soap with suitable dispensers shall be provided and be easily available to all persons using the showers and lavatories. Glass-type dispensers shall not be approved.

(6)   Foot-bath (not recommended). Should the engineer or owner desire to include a foot-bath on plans of future public bathing places, it is recommended that the foot-bath be the flow-through type, with dimensions such as to discourage attempted jumping of the receptacle and to permit thorough wetting of both feet. Should the foot-bath be designed for use with a disinfecting solution, it is recommended that a bypass by provided for those who wish to avoid its use.

(7)   Emergency fire exit. An emergency fire exit, other than the entrance, shall be provided in the bathhouse and in the fencing or structure enclosing the pool area, and such exit shall be plainly marked. No fire traps shall be established in the meaning of adequate exits as provided for in the current edition of the National Fire Prevention Association, National Fire Codes, Vol. 9, Section 101, Life Safety Code for Assembly Occupancies. Exits shall be plainly marked.

(8)   Fire extinguishers. A fire extinguisher of a type suited to the structures, wiring, and equipment to be protected shall be provided and located where readily available. Carbon tetrachloride extinguishers are not acceptable.