ADA Compliance for Pools and Spas

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. On September 15, 2010, the ADA Guidelines were signed into law and go into effect for all Title II (Public Entities) and Title III (Public Accommodations and Commercial Entities) by March 15, 2012. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) is the standard applied to buildings and facilities. Recreational facilities, including swimming pools, wading pools, and spas, are among the facilities required to comply with the ADA.

Our goal is to educate and help designers and operators in using the accessibility guidelines for swimming pools, wading pools, and spas. These guidelines establish minimum accessibility requirements for newly designed or newly constructed and altered swimming pools, wading pools, and spas.

What are the swimming pool specific requirements?
Both Title II and III entities are required to provide “accessible means of entry for pools”. Pools larger than 300 linear feet require at least two means of access and smaller pools require at least one means of access.

Permitted Means of Access
Pool lifts and sloped entries (ramps) are the required primary means of access for swimming pools. Additional means of access are recognized but only as secondary measures.

Pool lifts and sloped entries (ramps) are the required primary means of access for swimming pools. Additional means of access are recognized but only as secondary measures.

Types of Accessible Means of Entry into the Water

• Sloped Entry
• Pool Lift
• Transfer Walls
• Transfer Systems
• Pool Stairs

More ADA Resources

Accessible Swimming Pools and Spas

Other Accessibility Elements

Need more information? Ask our ADA Expert:

Mike Klauser, Project Manager
mklauser@hastingswaterworks.com
440-832-7700 ext. 125