Pool slope

[swimorelse]

Why do they even have pool slope restrictions? I mean if you can't swim, and are just a slip away from drowning then what are you doing in a pool without a life jacket? And anyways the slope from the side of the pool is like 100% straight down... So why does it matter what it is in the pool?

Our local lake has a shelf of about 5 ft deep and then a sudden drop off to who knows how deep cuz I've never touched a bottom. Just another example of over regulation.

 

[kimkats]

A slope restriction for a diving pool is a good example of why they are needed. Most of them if not all of them are based on swimmer, diver, etc safety because someone did something in a pool where the slope was not adequate to keep them safe.

 

[Newdude]

My guys said the slope was now governed to reduce neck injuries from diving. I wasn't trying to change it so for once in my build they weren't pulling BS excuses from wherest the sun doesn't shine as there was no reason to lie. But they also were dead wrong on 100 other things so it may have been 101.

 

[swimorelse]

A slope restriction for a diving pool is a good example of why they are needed. Most of them if not all of them are based on swimmer, diver, etc safety because someone did something in a pool where the slope was not adequate to keep them safe.

Okay so the steeper the slope the better then that's fine. You can have a slope that's 1:1. That makes sense to me... Why do I keep seeing a max slope must be 3: 1?

 

[PoolStored]

Why do I keep seeing a slope? Must be 3: 1?

It's code, 807.1.3: Your state and locality may or may not have adopted this code:

CHAPTER 8 PERMANENT INGROUND RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS - 2018 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE (ISPSC)

ICC Digital Codes is the largest provider of model codes, custom codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.

codes.iccsafe.org

 

[swimorelse]

It's code, 807.1.3: Your state and locality may or may not have adopted this code:

CHAPTER 8 PERMANENT INGROUND RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS - 2018 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE (ISPSC)

ICC Digital Codes is the largest provider of model codes, custom codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.

codes.iccsafe.org

Yes but it's stupid. Somebody could fall off the edge of the pool into the deepend. If you can't swim you should have a life jacket on...that should be the code. I haven't done the math but that means that a 32ft pool can't be within code and have an 8ft deep end suitable for diving.

 

[Newdude]

I haven't done the math but that means that a 32ft pool can't be within code and have an 8ft deep end suitable for diving.

It only needs a 15 ft slope to 3:1 from 8ft to 3 ft. Most are 8ft wall height so 7.5 water depth which is a slightly shorter slope. IIRC 32 ft was the min length to have a traditional deep end and still have a usable shallow end.

 

[PoolStored]

There are plenty of 32' pool with 8' depth and diving boards...16x32 is the smallest...

 

[swimorelse]

It only needs a 15 ft slope to 3:1 from 8ft to 3 ft. Most are 8ft wall height so 7.5 water depth which is a slightly shorter slope. IIRC 32 ft was the min length to have a traditional deep end and still have a usable shallow end.

I'd rather have a 3.5' shallow shelf about 10ft wide, and then a steep slope 1:1 to 8 ft. Why waste real estate on a transition? Also I think with a standard slope and shallow end you will end up with a smaller 8ft area at the bottom making diving more dangerous....maybe 2 feet wide instead of 6ft wide with a steeper slope. Math?

 

[Newdude]

I'd rather have

Again. Supposedly the angle matters for head and back injuries in diving pools. It is what it is either way and needs to be followed. I would have happily gone steeper too.

 

[swimorelse]

Again. Supposedly the angle matters for head and back injuries in diving pools. It is what it is either way and needs to be followed. I would have happily gone steeper too.

Yeah but a steeper angle is safer than a shallow angle that's what doesn't make sense.

 

[proavia]

Yeah but a steeper angle is safer than a shallow angle that's what doesn't make sense.

It's code - it doesn't have to make sense to you.
You want your permits and final approval, you follow the code.

 

[PoolStored]

Yeah but a steeper angle is safer than a shallow angle that's what doesn't make sense.

https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1258&context=ijare

 

[swimorelse]

Again. Supposedly the angle matters for head and back injuries in diving pools. It is what it is either way and needs to be followed. I would have happily gone steeper too.

How can a more shallow angle be safer than a steeper one that gets deeper faster?

 

[Newdude]

How can a more shallow angle be safer than a steeper one that gets deeper faster?

The expected entry angle of the dive means it's less likely to be like hitting a wall on a T and you'd be more likely to bounce off it. (So the theory goes).

 

[swimorelse]

The expected entry angle of the dive means it's less likely to be like hitting a wall on a T and you'd be more likely to bounce off it. (So the theory goes).

View attachment 596293

Yes but if you are diving from the deep end of the pool, the wall of the steep slope will be much farther away so less likely to hit it with any kind of force even with a diving board.

Personally I don't think 8ft is safe for diving boards regardless. BUT even with a diving board, you tend to enter water at a steeper angle so going by your drawings that would not bode well for the (nearer) shallow slope as you would take a direct hit...but in the steeper slope you would have more distance before contact and could be deflected downward causing only a glancing blow.

Also, if you dive from the side of the pool you won't take a direct hit on the steep slope....nor if you dive from within the pool towards the deepend.

So like I said the regulations make no practical sense imo.

 

[Newdude]

Like I said the regulations make no sense...

Nobody ever said regulations had to made sense.

There's 52 common sense ways around most codes. But 'I will only dive from the side, and not from a diving board' won't alleviate you from following the code. It is what it is.

 

[swimorelse]

Nobody ever said regulations had to made sense.

There's 52 common sense ways around most codes. But 'I will only dive from the side, and not from a diving board' won't alleviate you from following the code. It is what it is.

Yeah the code should not allow diving boards for 8ft pools if anything...but as demonstrated, even with a diving board the steep slope arguably bodes better for you than the shallow slope because of distance and angle of attack.

 

[proavia]

Shoulda, coulda, woulda and common sense don't play into it.
The code of your jurisdiction will prevail.
There are other legal and insurance requirements as well.

The slope has as much to do with a swimmer being able to easily walk up the slope as it does with the diving requirements.

 

[swimorelse]

Shoulda, coulda, woulda and common sense don't play into it.
The code of your jurisdiction will prevail.
There are other legal and insurance requirements as well.

The slope has as much to do with a swimmer being able to easily walk up the slope as it does with the diving requirements.

How does that make any sense? You can fall into the deep end off the side of the pool too... what's the slope there lol? If you can't swim you should be wearing a life jacket.