Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 511 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 511-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS › Subject 511-3-5 - PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, AND RECREATIONAL WATER PARKS › Rule 511-3-5-.06 - Decks and Deck Equipment

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)
Decks
. These requirements
				shall apply to all decks and deck equipment at the time of construction.
(a) Decks shall be designed and installed in
				accordance with the engineering practices required in the area of installation.
				Decks shall be constructed with a uniform and easily cleaned surface such as
				concrete, tile, manufactured or acrylic surfaces. This includes the design of
				sub base when required, concrete mix design, reinforcing, and joints, if a
				concrete deck is selected. In the absence of specific local engineering
				practices, the work shall be performed in accordance with the recommended
				practices of the latest edition of American Concrete Institute (ACI) Standard
				302.1R-80,"Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction or successor
				standard."
(b) Decking shall be
				flush with the lip of the pool, spa walls, and copings. Decks, ramps, coping
				and similar step surfaces shall be slip-resistant and easily
				cleanable.
(c) Special features in
				or on decks, such as markers or brand insignias, shall conform to this
				Chapter.
(d) Risers for steps for
				the deck shall be uniform and have a minimum height of three and three-fourths
				inches and a maximum height of seven and one-half inches. The minimum tread
				depth shall be twelve inches.
(e)
				Backfilled areas that support a deck shall be adequately compacted.
(f) The deck, including coping, shall have a
				minimum four feet width of continuous, unobstructed walking area maintained at
				all times unless otherwise allowed in the chapter.
(g) A minimum four foot deck width shall be
				provided on the sides and rear of any diving equipment or waterslide stairs. A
				deck clearance of forty-eight inches shall be provided around all deck
				equipment.
(h) The approved decking
				shall connect all site amenities, entrances, and exits.
(i) A four foot minimum continuous
				unobstructed deck, which may include the coping, shall be provided around at
				least 50 percent or more of a spa.
(j) The minimum slope of the decks shall be
				one-eighth inch per one foot vertical to horizontal.
(k) The maximum voids between adjoining
				concrete slabs, or between concrete slabs and expansion joint material, shall
				be three-sixteenths inch of horizontal clearance with a maximum difference in
				vertical elevation of one-fourth inch.
(l) Open joints or gaps larger than
				three-sixteenths inch wide or with vertical elevations exceeding 1/4 inches
				shall be rectified using appropriate fillers. Construction joints where pool
				coping meets the decks shall be watertight and shall not allow water to pass to
				the ground beneath.
(m) The areas
				where the decks join the pool and spa coping shall be designed and installed so
				as to protect the coping and its mortar bed from damage as a result of
				anticipated movement of adjoining decks.
(n) Joints in decks shall be provided to
				minimize the potential for cracks due to a change in elevations, separation of
				surfaces or movement of the slab.
(o) The areas where the decks join concrete
				work shall be protected by expansion joints to protect the pool adequately from
				the pressures of relative movements.
(p) Decks shall be edged, have a radius, or
				be otherwise relieved to eliminate sharp corners.
(q) Decks shall be sloped to effectively
				drain either to perimeter areas or to deck drains. Drainage shall remove pool
				and spa splash water, deck cleaning water, and rain water without leaving
				standing water of more than one-eighth inch depth twenty minutes after the
				cessation of the addition of water to the deck.
(r) Site drainage shall be provided to direct
				all perimeter deck drainage as well as general site and roof drainage away from
				the pool. When required, yard drains shall be installed to prevent the
				accumulation or puddling of site water in the general area of the decks and
				related improvements.
(s) There
				shall be no direct connection between the deck drains and the sanitary or storm
				sewer system, or the gutter or skimmer recirculation system.
(t) Wing walls or peninsulas less than
				eighteen inches in width shall not be considered a part of the deck.
(u) If a backwash sump is used, then an open
				pit or leaching design for backwash sump purposes shall be located so that it
				falls completely below adjacent decks and fully between a line projected 45°
				downward and away from such decks, or shall be designed to accommodate local
				soil conditions and the volume of backwash.
Click
				 here to view
(v)
				Circulation system piping, other than that integrally included in the
				manufacture of the pool or spa, shall be subject to an induced static hydraulic
				pressure test (sealed system) at twenty-five pounds per square inch (psi) for
				at least fifteen minutes or longer if required by the local code official or
				health authority. This test shall be performed before the deck is poured and
				the pressure shall be maintained through the deck pour.
(w) Valves installed in or under any deck
				shall provide a minimum ten inch diameter access cover and valve pit to
				facilitate servicing.
(x) A hose
				bib and a vacuum breaker shall be provided for washing down the entire deck
				area and shall be located not more than one hundred-fifty feet apart.
				Water-powered lifts shall have a dedicated hose bib water source.
(y) The deck area will be kept clean of all
				trash and debris.
(z) Carpet, wood
				and artificial turf may not be used on the deck adjoining the pool.
				Additionally, loose plant material or bedding shall not be permitted on the
				deck area within four feet of the water surface area.