Question steps

Golfball · Dec 30, 2022

Can these steps be wiped-out and start over or reconfigured (picture attached)? This is a sports pool (4x6x4). It is 30 feet long x 13 feet wide. It will have a hovering rail by the steps and a pool cover. I am willing to go as shallow as 2 1/2 feet on that end in order to achieve easier steps to climb. I have included a couple of pictures of what I would like the steps to look like. The steps need to be in the center because 2 seniors will be lap swimming at the same time. My pool builder said he had to do them this way, but it seems like this could be corrected. This is a dire need because of an aging hip. I also need to add that I told the pool builder that I would like a way for my two dachshunds to exit the pool. I am open to any ideas, drawings or plans of action. Thank you so much.

aussieta · Dec 30, 2022

what is the height of each step
does not look too high from photos
can definitely be changed easily at this stage

Golfball · Dec 30, 2022

They are 10 inches.

ajw22 · Dec 30, 2022

What is the problem with what you have?

How specifically do you want it changed?

I think your problem is the 13' width of your pool does not give much room for four wedding cake style steps with lanes on both sides.

Making that areas water depth 2.5' would let you have less steps that are wider but too shallow to swim in so why bother with the lanes on the sides.

Slope up to a shallower depth and make steps the full width of the pool.

Jimrahbe · Dec 30, 2022

GB,

As an old goat, I feel your pain.. :mrgreen:

I hate those kinds of steps. I like square steps like you find in a normal staircase and the corner of the pool, so that you have the pool wall as a guide.

Something like this.

Thanks,

Jim R.

markdpratt · Dec 30, 2022

Golfball said:
They are 10 inches.

A normal, code-compliant indoor step rise is no more than 7 and 3/4”. We actually had our PB redo ours after the gunite phase as they had a 10” rise and they were not easy to navigate. The PB pushed back because he said 10” was the standard rise for pools and that you would not notice it because you are more buoyant coming out of the pool. We insisted and he did ours to 7” rise which is much more comfortable to navigate. Ours also extend across the end of our 13’ wide x 48’ long pool.

Golfball · Dec 30, 2022

ajw22 said:
What is the problem with what you have?

How specifically do you want it changed?

I think your problem is the 13' width of your pool does not give much room for four wedding cake style steps with lanes on both sides.

Making that areas water depth 2.5' would let you have less steps that are wider but too shallow to swim in so why bother with the lanes on the sides.

Slope up to a shallower depth and make steps the full width of the pool.

This sounds like a good solution. What depth would you suggest? The tallest person swimming is 5’7”.

ajw22 · Dec 30, 2022

Golfball said:
This sounds like a good solution. What depth would you suggest? The tallest person swimming is 5’7”.

I have no idea what will work for you.

Work backwards from what step height do you want and step depth.

How many steps do you need and how deep will it take you?

How much of that end will the steps stick out into?

It is all a compromise for how much of your pool area you are willing to give up for the steps.

Golfball · Dec 30, 2022

Thank you. I hope the PB will know what to do once I tell him how disappointed I am. I really like the ideas you gave me. You are so nice to help me.

aussieta · Dec 30, 2022

Golfball said:
They are 10 inches.

10" is much too high
when you swim for a long time your legs get weak
and elderley people will not be able to manage that

ajw22 · Dec 30, 2022

Note that you can have any step height you want. 10" is not that unusual. The International Building Code is the model that many jurisdictions adopt or modify for their use...

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

See 809.5.2

Various local codes specify different heights.

16.36.050 Adoption of the Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code.

The 2009 Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, hereinafter referred to as “Swimming Pool Code,” is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein. (SCC 1475 § 15, 2011.)

https://building.saccounty.net/Public Documents/SP-01 Construction Requirements for Swimming Pools and Spas.pdf

Stairs shall be constructed of corrosion-resistant material and shall be equipped with slip-resistant tread surfaces. Each stair shall have a tread depth of not less than 10 inches (254 mm), risers shall have a uniform height of not more than 7 inches (178 mm), and treads shall have a width of not less than 24 inches (610 mm).

http://codes.iapmo.org/docs/2021/USPSHTC/2019%20USPSHTC%20ROP%20Monograph.pdf

610.5.1 Uniform height of 9 inches. Except for the bottom riser, risers at the centerline shall have a maximum uniform height of 9 inches (229 mm). The bottom riser height shall be permitted to vary from the other risers.

411.2.2 Risers. Risers, except for the bottom riser, shall have a uniform height of not greater than 12 inches (305 mm) measured at the centerline. The bottom riser height is allowed to vary to the floor

3111B.4 Recessed steps and step risers. Ladder treads and recessed steps shall have a minimum tread of 5 inches and a width of 14 inches and shall be designed to be readily cleaned. Step risers shall be uniform and shall not exceed 12 inches in height.

https://emd.saccounty.net/EH/Documents/RecreationalHealthViolationDescriptions.pdf

Stairs shall be constructed of corrosion-resistant material and shall be equipped with slip-resistant tread surfaces. Each stair shall have a tread depth of not less than 10 inches (254 mm), risers shall have a uniform height of not more than 7 inches (178 mm), and treads shall have a width of not less than 24 inches (610 mm).

http://codes.iapmo.org/docs/2021/USPSHTC/2019%20USPSHTC%20ROP.pdf

Golfball · Dec 31, 2022

markdpratt said:
A normal, code-compliant indoor step rise is no more than 7 and 3/4”. We actually had our PB redo ours after the gunite phase as they had a 10” rise and they were not easy to navigate. The PB pushed back because he said 10” was the standard rise for pools and that you would not notice it because you are more buoyant coming out of the pool. We insisted and he did ours to 7” rise which is much more comfortable to navigate. Ours also extend across the end of our 13’ wide x 48’ long pool.

Do you mind sending a picture of your steps?

JJ_Tex · Dec 31, 2022

I think mine are around 10". I really noticed them once they gunited the steps and could go in and out of the shell using the steps. There was certainly a difference in height between my pool steps and any steps inside of the house.

When I mentioned it to my PB, he explained that once the water was in the pool it would seem normal. I was leery, but once water was in the pool he was right, and I have had no complaints in the last 3 years on step height.

markdpratt · Dec 31, 2022

Here is a photo (taken during the pool plastering phase) of our steps leading from our tanning ledge into the pool. This photo is taken after the PB modified the steps to a 7” rise which required him to add a step. Our pool depth at the base of the stairs is 4’.

Golfball · Dec 31, 2022

Thank you

Jaffles · Jan 1, 2023

I echo JJ_Tex, mine are 10" and without water they feel to high, but with water thay are ok. I don't have bad hips however.

I'm concerned steps at the end of a pool is not the greatest for laps. Its an unnatural and uneven finish point. Is there room for the stairs to be squared up and located to the side in their own cavity as Jimrahble suggested?

Alternatively if you squared the steps as in your second pic, it creates seat so to speak so you could sit in the water after a lap without having to bend your knees to much. Also gives you a bit more room to turn around. Furthermore you could add a 5th step reducing overall height of each. Probably want to hovering hand rail either side though opposed to a single. That way no one falls off on the higher steps.

Golfball · Jan 1, 2023

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, no room for steps to the side.

Jimrahbe · Jan 1, 2023

Golfball said:
Unfortunately, no room for steps to the side.

GB,

I was not suggesting that your stair needed to be off the side, but rather square, instead of the often used "Wedding Cake" shape which confuses the eye when trying to get in and out of the pool.

Glad to see that you got plenty of good suggestions. :goodjob:

Thanks,

Jim R.

aussieta · Jan 1, 2023

one thing i wished i had done would be a black outline on the outer edge of each step

AQUA~HOLICS · Jan 1, 2023

Something like this?

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Question steps

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

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