Is a 5-6" step down to/from baja ok? Or tripping hazard?

[vmacmore]

Getting ready to finish pouring steps tomorrow and I'm a little concerned with the height of a couple steps on our new baja. The full-width entry step into pool is original - its height is fine. But the step down from it to baja is only 6.5". I didn't want the baja lower (we've got 10" of water depth with it now, which is what I want), and we plan to line the top entry step with trim tile for safety, but normally steps are closer to 10-12" so I'm just curious if anyone has any feedback on this being 6.5?

The second concern is the small 5" step-down from left side of baja to existing bench.

Does anyone have a similar situation and has it worked out ok, or would you do things differently?

Very much appreciate any feedback!!

 

[kimkats]

Sorry no one has answered you. I guess it is too late by now. What did you end up doing? Have you walked it yet to see how you like it?

 

[JamesW]

ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 American National Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools

This standard applies to permanently installed residential inground swimming pools intended for noncommercial use as a swimming pool by not more than three owner families and their guests and exceeding 24 in. (61 cm) in water depth. EXCEPTION: Separate ponds, fountains, decorative water...

issuu.com

 

[Nikilyn]

We have a 4-5” step. Our first step into the pool was too big after they got the deck poured so I wanted another step. It’s not the ideal but no one has tripped on it. I’d rather have it than not so I don’t complain about it.

 

[vmacmore]

ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 American National Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools

This standard applies to permanently installed residential inground swimming pools intended for noncommercial use as a swimming pool by not more than three owner families and their guests and exceeding 24 in. (61 cm) in water depth. EXCEPTION: Separate ponds, fountains, decorative water...

issuu.com

Thanks James. This is what i was wondering about. Well, I guess we’re not to code. Pool isn’t plastered yet but I really don’t know how we would fix it, other then grinding the bench down but then it’s too deep to sit on. They COULD slope the 5” drop but I think that might be worse…unless they do a very gradual slope? I think the first step down of 6.5” is probably ok.
We are putting trim tile around entire edge of Baja and along entry step specifically for safety.
Plaster will be Nov 27 or Dec 4, so we’re almost done…

 

[vmacmore]

Sorry no one has answered you. I guess it is too late by now. What did you end up doing? Have you walked it yet to see how you like it?

Not too late! This helps and I’m talking to PB abt it but he’s already said it’s fine. (But he does seem to say that a lot, lol)

 

[ajw22]

Well, I guess we’re not to code.

What was posted is not necessarily code in your jurisdiction. They are recommended workmanship guidelines that localites can choose to adopt or not.

It is unlikely to be a tripping hazard in a pool but would be a problem outside of a pool.

What is the depth of the 6.5" rise?

 

[JamesW]

The entire thing is goofy and awkward, which is never good for steps as it presents a trip and fall hazard.

People can also stub their toes or twist their ankle.

This pointy brick should be cut off at a 45 degree angle to reduce the danger of the sharp point.

I would recommend at least one, and maybe two, handrails.

 

[vmacmore]

The entire thing is goofy and awkward, which is never good for steps as it presents a trip and fall hazard.

People can also stub their toes or twist their ankle.

This pointy brick should be cut off at a 45 degree angle to reduce the danger of the sharp point.

I would recommend at least one, and maybe two, handrails.

thanks for your reply, James. The bricks were cut on edges when first installed. They told me at the brickyard they were custom made. We do plan to try and have them cut. Only the ones over steps are new so those are the only ones not cut. As for the whole thing looking goofy and awkward, I don't think there's much I can do about that. Thanks again for your opinion, I do appreciate anyone's input.

 

[vmacmore]

What was posted is not necessarily code in your jurisdiction. They are recommended workmanship guidelines that localites can choose to adopt or not.

It is unlikely to be a tripping hazard in a pool but would be a problem outside of a pool.

What is the depth of the 6.5" rise?

the water depth of the baja is 12.5", the water depth of the top step is 6", water depth of bench (that was there before) is 18". One pb wanted us to make baja the same height as bench, which definitely would have made things simpler and seamless, but I did not want a baja that deep. We've had that bench 30 yrs and it's too deep for what I wanted baja for.

 

[ajw22]

I am not asking about the water depth. I am asking about how well my size 13 foot will fit on that 6.5" rise step, It looks narrow from the pic. If the step is deep enough for feet to fit comfortably on the step the rise should be less of a problem.

 

[JamesW]

What was posted is not necessarily code in your jurisdiction.

It's probably code.

Even if it is not legal code, it is considered to be industry standard good practice, which should be followed.

 

[vmacmore]

Deciding whether to use trim tile on bench (yellow arrows). I really only want trim tile to call out elevation, which is why it's around baja and steps. So, I was planning to just leave bench alone. Our spa won't have trim tile except for the top steps (1 in spa, 2 in the cool dip that surrounds the spa). The spa is a completely separate pool w/ its own equipment.

 

[vmacmore]

I am not asking about the water depth. I am asking about how well my size 13 foot will fit on that 6.5" rise step, It looks narrow from the pic. If the step is deep enough for feet to fit comfortably on the step the rise should be less of a problem.

Ahhhh, I see what you mean, sorry. Right now it measures 14" but 1.5" of that are under the coping. I agree with what you're getting at and I just talked to the guys now. They said I can have whatever I want. THANK YOU. I do think we should add a few inches. It'll cut into the baja, which is already small, but I think it's a few inches well sacrificed. Thank you, I am going to request it. This is why I love this board.

 

[ajw22]

I would do trim tile on every edge surface including the bench.

Having it on some but not all edges can confuse and be dangerous for folks with poor eyesight.

Things like trim tile should be consistent.

 

[ajw22]

Ahhhh, I see what you mean, sorry. Right now it measures 14" but 1.5" of that are under the coping. I agree with what you're getting at and I just talked to the guys now. They said I can have whatever I want. THANK YOU. I do think we should add a few inches. It'll cut into the baja, which is already small, but I think it's a few inches well sacrificed. Thank you, I am going to request it. This is why I love this board.

1.5" of that under the coping is where the tripping hazard can be if someones toes get caught under the coping as they raise their foot.

Can you cut back the coping along the step so there is a smooth transition?

 

[vmacmore]

1.5" of that under the coping is where the tripping hazard can be if someones toes get caught under the coping as they raise their foot.

Can you cut back the coping along the step so there is a smooth transition?

The coping has always been like that, for the 3 decades we've lived here with this pool. Nobody has every tripped getting in or out of pool. It's 1.5" now, but when they plaster, It'll be much less. Thanks so much for your help though, they said they can add 3-4" easy enough and they do kinda agree that it should be a bit longer.

 

[JamesW]

Are you adding rails?

 

[vmacmore]

Are you adding rails?

No, but increasing top entry step so there's more room to step onto when entering pool.

 

[vmacmore]

1.5" of that under the coping is where the tripping hazard can be if someones toes get caught under the coping as they raise their foot.

Can you cut back the coping along the step so there is a smooth transition?

Actually, maybe we should just raise the entire bench so it's same height as baja, then there's no step at all. We'd have to raise that one triangle step bc it's too big of a step as it is if bench is higher. Baja is 29" from bottom of pool, so if we put that triangle step in middle, it would be a 14.5" step.