Dimensions for ADA Swimming Pools

Disabled people face a range of barriers in everyday life. The Americans with Disabilities Act lays down guidelines for public areas to enable disabled people to have access to and use of the facilities. Swimming pools that have larger dimensions are required to have more access aids for disabled people to use, although there are no regulations on how large or small the pools have to be. Pool entry aid dimensions are laid down by the ADA.

  1. Pool Lift Dimensions

    • A pool lift must be able to be used by the disabled person independently. The water must not be deeper than 48 inches where the pool lift is located. The width of the seat should be at least 36 inches wide to accommodate the user. Clear deck space of at least 36 inches wide and 48 inches forward should be provided to allow the user space to park and transfer from a wheelchair. The seat should be 16 to 19 inches from the deck and able to submerge to a depth of 18 inches. The seat should be able to support 300 lbs.

    Sloped Entry Dimensions

    • Sloped entries to allow users to scoot or roll into the swimming pool have to be at least 36 inches wide, with a 1:12 slope (1 cm rise for every 12 cm of length). The slope should descend to between 24 and 30 inches below the water level. A landing at least 36 inches in width and 60 inches in length is required at the base of the slope.

    Transfer Wall Dimensions

    • A transfer wall is a raised wall on an accessible route that allows a wheelchair user to transfers onto it and into a swimming pool at the same level. They must have one grab bar perpendicular to the water with the rail 4 to 6 inches above the wall. There should be at least 24 inches clearance on each side of the bar. The diameter of the rail should be between 1.25 and 1.5 inches. Clear deck space of of 60 by 60 inches minimum, with a slope of not more than 1:48, must be provided at the base of a transfer wall. The height of the transfer wall should be between 16 and 19 inches above the deck and the wall should be be between 12 and 16 inches wide.

    Transfer System Dimensions

    • A transfer system is a series of platforms and steps that allow a user to ladder their way into the water. Each transfer platform should be at least 19 inches deep and 24 inches wide. The height of the transfer platform must be between 16 and 19 inches from the deck. The base of the transfer platform must have clear deck space of of 60 by 60 inches minimum, with a slope of not more than 1:48. The maximum height of a transfer step is 8 inches and each step must have a tread depth of between 14 to 17 inches. The steps should extend into the water to at least 18 inches depth.