Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH › Title 105 CMR 435.000 - Minimum Standards For Swimming Pools (state Sanitary Code: Chapter V) › Construction › Section 435.08 - Inlets and Outlets

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
(1) Inlets for
				fresh or recirculated water in swimming, wading and special purpose pools
				should be located to produce, so far as possible, uniform circulation of water
				and the maintenance of uniform chlorine or other approved disinfectant residual
				throughout the entire pool. Inlets for the recirculation system shall be
				submerged, individually adjustable, and shall be designed and installed to
				reduce the escape of chlorine or other disinfectant.
(2) An over the rim fill spout, if used as a
				fresh water inlet, shall be located under the diving board, adjacent to a
				ladder or otherwise properly shielded so as not to create a hazard. Its open
				end shall have no sharp edges and shall not protrude more than two inches
				beyond the edge of the pool and shall be at least six inches above the maximum
				possible water level.
(3) All
				swimming, wading and special purpose pools shall be constructed in the
				following manner:
(a) Return inlet(s) and
				suction outlet(s) from the recirculation system shall be designed so as to not
				constitute a hazard to the bather. Where skimmers are used, the inlet(s) shall
				be located so as to help bring floating particles within the range of the
				skimmers.
(b) A main drain suction
				outlet(s) shall be provided in the lowest point of the pool floor. At least two
				main drains shall be provided for every swimming or wading pool more than 30
				feet wide. The spacing of the main drain(s) or suction outlet(s) shall not be
				greater than 20 feet apart across from the deepest section of the pool nor more
				than 15 feet from the nearest side wall. All outlets shall be covered with
				suitable protective covers or grates which have been tested and approved by a
				nationally recognized testing laboratory. The main drain suction outlet(s) and
				outlet drain cover(s) shall, except skimmers, be installed in a way that they
				cannot be removed without the use of tools; the total velocity through grate
				openings shall not exceed two feet per second; the open area in the grates
				shall be of such design as to prevent physical entrapment of fingers, toes,
etc
. The system shall provide at least one antivortex main
				drain outlet. In depths of four feet six inches or less, the anitvortex drain
				shall not provide a tripping or stubbing hazard to the feet.
(c) If the suction outlet is a single (such
				as a vacuum cleaner system) or if there are multiple suction outlets which can
				be isolated by valves, then each suction outlet shall be protected against user
				entrapment by either an antivortex cover or other means.
(d) A minimum of two suction outlets shall be
				provided for each pump in the suction outlet system, separated by a minimum of
				three feet or located on two different planes,
i.e
. one on the
				bottom and one on the vertical wall or one each on two separate vertical walls.
				These suction out lets shall be plumbed such that water is drawn through them
				simultaneously through a common line to the pump .
(e) The spacing of the return inlets shall be
				not greater than 20 feet on center. In no case shall there be less than two
				such inlets per 600 square feet, or fraction thereof. The total velocity
				through the inlets shall not exceed 15 feet per second.