Key Project Terms: Outdoor Swimming Pool - Buildings

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Acronym Glossary

Find Building Data

Construction in My Neighborhood

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Research Construction Professionals

Project Guidelines

Get Job Status Updates

Check an After-Hour Variance

File a Complaint

Resolve a Summons or Violation

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Use DOB NOW


Key Project Terms: Outdoor Swimming Pool (Renovations)

The following is a list of useful terms to use when researching additional new Deck and Porch Installation information on each of the topics discussed:

Accessibility

The design and construction of facilities for accessibility to persons with physical disabilities and comply with FHA and ICC/ANSI A117.1.

Accessory Use

Accessory use is a use conducted on the same zoning lot as the principal use to which it is related (located within the same building or as an accessory use of land); is a use clearly incidental to and found in connection with principal use; and is either in the same ownership as principal use, or is operated and maintained on the same zoning lot for the benefit the owners, occupants, or visitors of the principal use.

Alteration

An alteration is the addition, change of use, or occupancy of a building or structure in existence, and always results in a new or amended Certificate of Occupancy. Work may involve an enlargement, reduction in size of the building, or a major change to the building egress, zoning use group, and/or Building Code Occupancy use.

Bottom Slopes

The bottom of the swimming pool shall slope downward toward the main drains. In portions of the swimming pool with depth greater than 5 feet, the slope shall not be steeper than 33-percent slope.

Building Systems Work

The installation, modification, or upgrade of existing building systems; such systems include plumbing, sprinkler, standpipe, fire alarm, HVAC, and fire suppression systems. If such repairs are part of the work scope, the alteration must include these in the project’s scope of work.

Certificate of Occupancy

A new or amended Certificate of Occupancy is issued for a building on completion of a project involving a change in occupancy or use, or when there are other changes that impact the existing Certificate of Occupancy. For example, where an existing building is vertically enlarged by a complete story, or if the use of a building is changed from commercial to residential, a new or amended C of O would be required. Installation of public outdoor swimming pool requires an amended C of O. Reference AC 28-118.3 for more information.

Foundation

In-ground pools require excavation and some may have associated foundation work, which may vary from concrete, and/or steel.

Gates

An outdoor swimming pool greater than 18” deep at any point shall be protected by an enclosure, barrier or other means adequate to make such pool inaccessible to small children. These gates shall be at least 6 feet high above the adjacent ground. All gates shall be self-latching with latches located at least four feet high above the ground (inaccessible to small children).

Handholds

Every swimming pool shall be constructed so that either the overflow gutter, if provided or the tops of the side walls afford a continuous handhold for bathers.

Ladders

Pools are required to have a ladder or steps with handrails at the deep end and at the shallow end of every swimming pool. Ladders and steps shall have no-slip treads. All ladders shall be rigidly installed and shall be constructed of corrosion resistant materials.

Lot Line

A lot line is a boundary of a zoning lot, which may divide one lot from another or from a street or any public place.

Markings

These are permanent markings that show the depth of the shallow end, break points, diving depth and deep end. These shall be provided so as to be visible from both inside and outside the swimming pool.

Materials

Swimming pool material requirements as outlined in the Building Code – in particular for public pools, include use of nonabsorbent materials with smooth surfaces and shall be free of open cracks and open joints.

Occupancy

The purpose or activity for which a building or space is used or is designed, arranged or intended to be used.

Pool/Swimming Pool

Refers to an artificial basin, tank, or chamber constructed of concrete, masonry, metal, or other impervious material which contains water and is operated for the purpose of bathing, wading, swimming, diving, water recreation, or therapy; swimming pool means a pool of 24 inches in depth or greater (BC 3109.2), designed to be used primarily for swimming or other recreation.

Registered Land Surveyor

A person licensed and registered to practice the profession of land surveying under the education law of the State of New York.

Residential

Per the Building Code (BC), Residential Group R includes the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for dwelling or sleeping purposes. If there are three or more dwelling units in the building, it shall be classified as a multiple dwelling and also subject to the Multiple Dwelling Law. Residences can be either transient, in which the occupancy of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit is not more than 30 days, or non-transient, and therefore, could include community facilities with sleeping accommodations.

Per the Zoning Resolution, Residential, as applied to a building’s use, is a building with one or more dwelling units or rooming units, but with exceptions; for example, hotels and community facilities with sleeping accommodations are not residences per the ZR. Residential can also describe the type of zoning district; for example, hotels are not allowed in residential districts, while community facilities can be located in residential districts..

Seepage Pit

An underground structure used for disposal of sanitary discharge of water by dissipating it into the ground and allowing the waste water from the pool to seep gradually into the soil.

Special and Progress Inspections

As per Chapter 17 of the Building Code, swimming pool projects may require certain Special and Progress Inspections to be performed during and at the end of construction. Prior to approval, the Applicant of Record is required to identify all required Special and Progress Inspections (BC 1704.1). Prior to DOB permit issuance, the owner must typically engage a registered Special Inspection Agency (SIA) who will take responsibility for the Special and Progress Inspections.

Storm Water Drainage

Storm water falling on all impervious surfaces within a property must be discharged into either a public storm water or combined sewer system, or into an on-site private storm water disposal system such as drywell – Refer to Plumbing System Guidelines.

Use

The purpose for which a building, structure, or space is occupied or utilized, unless otherwise indicated by the text. Use (used) shall be construed as if followed by the words “or is intended, arranged, or designed to be used.”

Use Group

This is the use as defined in Zoning Resolution, Section ZR 12-10, ZR 12-10, and is any purpose for which a building or other structure, or an open tract of land, may be designed, arranged, intended, maintained or occupied; furthermore the use is any activity, occupation, business or operation carried on, or intended to be carried on.

Walkways

In-ground pools are required to have a walkway of at least 5 feet wide around the entire perimeter of the pool. The walkway shall have a nonslip surface and shall be constructed to drain away from the swimming pool.

Walls and Pool Overflow

The walls of swimming pools shall be vertical for at least the top 30 inches below the normal water level. The junctions between the side walls and the bottom shall be coved. A swimming pool overflow shall be provided that meets Plumbing Code requirements.

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