Part XII
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
§ 12-101. City adoption
(a) In general.
The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2021 Edition) is adopted as part of the Building, Fire, and Related Codes of Baltimore City, subject to the additions, deletions, amendments, and other modifications contained in this Part XII.
(b) Codification.
Unless otherwise specified, chapter and section numbers in this Part XII refer to the chapter and section numbers of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
§ 12-102. City modifications.
The additions, deletions, amendments, and other modifications adopted by the City are as follows:
Chapter 1
Scope and General Requirements
Section 101. General
101.1 Title.
The regulations contained in this Code constitute and are known as the "Baltimore City Swimming Pool and Spa Code".
101.1.1 References to "this Code".
Throughout this Part XII, all references to "this Code" refer to the Baltimore City Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
101.2 to 101.4 {As in ISPSC}
Section 102. Applicability {As in ISPSC}
Section 103. Department of Building Safety
103.1 General.
This code is administered and enforced by the Department of Housing and Community Development and its Commissioner. Accordingly, in this Code:
1. "Department of Building Safety" or "Department" means the Department of Housing and Community Development, and
2. "Code Official", means the Building Official, as defined in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code.
103.2 to 103.3 {Not Adopted}
Section 104. Duties and Powers of Code Official
104.1 to 104.2 {As in ISPSC}
104.3 Notices and orders.
The Code Official may issue all notices or orders necessary to ensure compliance with this Code.
104.4 Inspections.
The Code Official must make all of the required inspections or accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. All reports of these inspections must be in writing and signed by a responsible officer of the approved agency or by the responsible individual. The Code Official may engage any expert opinion that the Code Official considers necessary to report on unusual technical issues that arise.
104.5 Identification. {As in ISPSC}
104.6 Right of entry.
The Code Official may enter any structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect, subject to constitutional restrictions on unreasonable searches and seizures. If entry is refused or not obtained, the Code Official may pursue recourse as provided by law, including § 104 {"... Powers of Building Official"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
104.7 Department records.
The Code Official must keep records of all of the Department's business and activities under this Code.
104.8 Liability. {Not Adopted. See State Courts Article § 5-302}
104.9 Modifications. {As in ISPSC}
104.10 Alternative materials and methods.
The provisions of this Code are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any method of construction not specifically prescribed by this Code, as long as that alternative has been approved. An alternative material or method of construction may be approved if the Code Official finds in writing that, for the purpose intended:
1. the proposed alternative is satisfactory and complies with the intent of this Code, and
2. the material, method, or work offered is at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this Code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety.
104.11 Required testing. {As in ISPSC}
104.12 Alternative engineered design. {As in ISPSC}
104.13 Material and equipment reuse. {As in ISPSC}
Section 105. Permits
105.1 When required. {As in ISPSC}
105.2 Application for permit.
The requirements for obtaining a permit are as set forth in § 105.3 {"Application for permit"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
105.3 Time limitation of application. {As in ISPSC}
105.4 Permit issuance. {As in ISPSC}
105.4.1 Approved construction documents. {As in ISPSC}
105.4.2 Validity. {As in ISPSC}
105.4.3 Expiration.
Unless extended, a permit expires as set forth in § 105.5 {"Expiration; Extension"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
105.4.4 Extension.
An expired permit may be extended as provided in § 105.5 {"Expiration; Extension"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
105.4.5 Suspension or revocation.
The Code Official may suspend or revoke a permit as provided in § 105.6 {"Suspension or revocation"} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
106. Construction Documents {As in ISPSC}
107. Notice of Approval {Not Adopted}
108. Fees {As in ISPSC}
108.1 Fees. {As in ISPSC}
108.2 Fee schedule.
The fees for work are set forth in § 109 {"Fees”} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
108.3 Permit Valuation. {As in ISPSC}
108.4 to 108.6 {Not Adopted}
109. Service Utilities {As in ISPSC}
109.1 Connection of service utilities. {As in ISPSC}
109.2 Temporary connection. {Not Adopted}
109.3 Authority to disconnect service utilities. {Not Adopted}
Section 110. Inspections {As in ISPSC}
111. Means of Appeals {Not Adopted}
112. Board of Appeals {Not Adopted}
Section 113. Violations
113.1 to 113.3 {As in ISPSC}
113.4 Violation penalties.
The penalties for a violation of this Code are as provided in § 114 {"Violations"} of the Baltimore City Building Code for a violation of that Code.
113.5 to 113.6 {As in ISPSC}
114. Stop Work Order
114.1 Authority.
The issuance and enforcement of stop-work orders are provided for in § 115 {"Stop-work order”} of the Baltimore City Building Code.
114.2 to 114.4 {Not Adopted}
Section 115. Administrative and Judicial Review
115.1 General.
A decision of the Code Official is subject to administrative and judicial review as provided for in the Baltimore City Building Code.
115.2 to 115.7 {Not Adopted}
Chapter 2
Definitions
Section 201. General
201.1 to 201.2 {As in ISPSC}
201.3 Terms defined in other codes.
If a term is not defined in this Code and is defined in the Baltimore City Building Code or in one or another of the standards and codes listed in § 101.4 {"Referenced Codes"} of the Baltimore City Building Code, the term has the meaning given to it in that code or standard.
201.4 Terms not defined. {As in ISPSC}
Section 202. General Definitions
202.1 General.
Except as provided in § 202.2 of this Code, terms that are used in this Code and defined in the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2021 Edition) have the meanings given in the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2021 Edition).
202.2 Supplemental definitions.
Notwithstanding any different definition in the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, the following terms have the meanings given in this § 202.2.
202.2.1 Building.
"Building" has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code.
202.2.2 Code Official.
"Code Official" has the meaning stated in § 103.1 of this Code.
202.2.3 Design-flood elevation.
"Design-flood elevation" has the meaning stated in City Code Article 7 {"Natural Resources"}, § 1-2 {"Definitions – "Accessory structure" to "Floodplain district"}.
202.2.4 Flood hazard area.
"Flood hazard area" means a Regulated Flood Hazard Area established under and regulated by the Floodplain Management Code.
202.2.5 Floodplain Management Code.
"Floodplain Management Code" means the Baltimore City Floodplain Management Code, City Code Article 7 {"Natural Resources"}, Division I {"Floodplain Management"}.
202.2.6 Floodway.
"Floodway" has the meaning stated in City Code Article 7 {"Natural Resources"}, § 1-3 {"Definitions – "Floodproofing" to "Wet Floodproofing"}.
202.2.7 May not, etc.
"May not", "must not", and "no ... may" are each mandatory negative terms used to establish a prohibition.
202.2.8 Must/Shall.
"Must" and "shall" are each mandatory terms used to express a requirement or to impose a duty.
202.2.9 Premises.
"Premises" has the meaning stated in § 202.2 of the Baltimore City Building Code.
Chapter 3
General Compliance
Sections 301 to 303. {As in ISPSC}
Section 304. Flood Hazard Areas
304.1 General. {As in ISPSC}
304.2 Determination of impacts based on location.
Pools and spas located in flood hazard areas must comply with:
1. the City Floodplain Management Code, and
2. § 304.2.1 or § 304.2.2 of this Code.
Exception: {As in ISPSC}
304.2.1 to 304.2.2 {As in ISPSC}
304.3 to 304.5 {As in ISPSC}
304.6 Other codes.
In addition, swimming pools and spas must comply with:
1. all applicable provisions of the City Health Code,
2. all {rules and} regulations of the City Health Department, and
3. all location and other applicable provisions of the City Zoning Code.
Sections 305 to 325. {As in ISPSC}
Chapter 4
Public Swimming Pools
[As in ISPSC]
Chapter 5
Public Spas and Public Exercise Spas
[As in ISPSC]
Chapter 6
Aquatic Recreation Facilities
Sections 601 to 611. {As in ISPSC}
Section 612. Splash Pads
612.1 General.
Construction and operation of any splash pad shall comply with this § 612.
612.1.1 Definitions.
In this Chapter, "splash pad" (also known as "spray pad", "wet deck", or "interactive water play feature") means any indoor or outdoor structure designed to allow for public recreational activities with recirculated, filtered, and treated water that:
1. includes sprayed, jetted, or other water sources contacting bathers, but
2. does not incorporate standing or captured water as part of the bather activity area.
612.2 Safety hazards.
All parts of the splash pad that can be accessed by splash pad users must be designed and constructed to not present safety hazards to the users.
612.3 Decking.
A deck of not less than 4 feet (1296 mm) in width must be provided around the perimeter of the splash pad. The deck must be sloped away from the splash pad.
612.4 Splash pan zone.
The splash pad zone must comply with §§ 612.4.1 through 612.4.3.
612.4.1 Surface.
Splash pad zone surfaces must have a slip-resistant and cleanable surface. The manufacturer of manufactured zone surfaces must certify that the surfacing is suitable for aquatic and chlorinated environments. Direct suction outlets from a splash pad are prohibited.
612.4.2 Slope and water collection.
Splash pad zone surfaces must slope to one or more drain points so that only water from the splash pan zone flows back to a gravity fed collection tank. The slope must prevent the accumulation or pooling of water and may not exceed ½ inch (12.7 mm) per foot. Drain openings in the splash pad zone surfaces that can be accessed by users may not allow a ½ inch (12.7 mm) diameter dowel rod to be inserted into the opening. Drain covers in splash pad zone surfaces must be flat and flush with the zone surface and must require tools for removal. The manufacturer of the drain cover must certify that the covers comply with the physical testing and finger-and-limb entrapment requirements of Sections 3 and 6, respectively, of APSP 16.
612.4.3 Nozzles within splash pad zones.
612.4.3.1 General.
Nozzles that spray water from the splash pad zone must be flush with the zone surface. Openings in the nozzles may not allow a ½ inch (12.7 mm) diameter dowel rod to be inserted into the opening. The water velocity from the orifice of any water nozzle may not exceed 20 feet (6.1 m) per second.
612.4.3.2 Nozzles not on walking surfaces.
Nozzles that are not on walking surfaces must be designed to be clearly visible.
612.5 Water sanitation.
The water sanitation must consist of the equipment covered in §§ 612.6.1 through 612.6.5.
612.5.1 Water collection and treatment tank.
A splash pad must drain to a collection and treatment tank. The inside of the tank must be accessible for cleaning and inspection. The access hatch or lid must be locked or require a tool to open. The tank capacity may not be less than 1,000 gallons or 10 times the number of gallons in a minute when all nozzles are operating simultaneously, whichever is greater. The volume water in the tank, at the design water level, may not decrease more than 15% of that volume when all pumps and discharge piping fill with water to the discharge points of all nozzles. The tanks must be provided with a means to empty all water in the tank for the purposes of servicing or cleaning.
612.5.2 Filtration pump.
The filtration pump must be sized to turnover the surge basin capacity in 30 minutes or less. The intake for the pump must be located to draw water from the lowest elevation in the treatment tank.
612.5.3 Spray nozzle and water feature disinfection.
Spray nozzles and water features must be supplied by water from the water collection and treatment tank that is equipped with filtration and sanitizing equipment required by Chapter 3 and this Chapter. Where separate water feature pumps are installed, controls must prevent those pumps from operating when the filtration pump is not operating.
612.5.4 Disinfection system.
In addition to any filtration and sanitizing equipment requirements of Chapter 3 and this Chapter, all water supplied to spray nozzles or other water that can be accessed by a user, must pass through a secondary disinfection system before discharge to the user. The secondary disinfection system must be listed and labeled to NSF 50 as having a single-pass, three-log reduction of cryptosporidium surrogate.
612.5.5 Make-up water system.
The water collection and treatment tank must be provided with a make-up water system that is supplied with potable water.
612.6 Operating instructions.
In addition to the documentation and instruction requirements of Chapters 1 and 3, the operating instructions for a splash pad must require that the circulation system be operated continuously for not less than 4 turnovers prior to operation of the pumps for the spray nozzles and other water features systems.
612.7 Lighting.
Where a splash pad will be in operation at night or during periods of inadequate natural lighting, artificial lighting must be provided in accordance with the same requirements for pool deck area lighting in § 321.2.2.
612.8 Toilet room and bathroom facilities.
Bathroom facilities for a splash pad shall be provided in accordance with all applicable provisions of this article, including § 1210 {"Toilet and bathroom requirements"} of the Baltimore City Building Code, and the Baltimore City Plumbing Code.
612.8.1 Exemptions.
A bathroom facility is not required if one or more of the following conditions are met:
1. a splash pad is recirculating and has health and safety information posted as required by this Code or other applicable City code or regulations;
2. a written agreement granting splash pad patrons use of bathroom facilities located in a nearby structure is in effect between an owner or operator of a splash pad and a person with the required authority to grant access to the subject bathroom facilities.