Step height

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Superblue72

Well-known member
Sep 22, 2023
152
Ct
Pool Size
14000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I was looking at code specs for steps, I have stadium steps that are 11" and the top is a little over 14" which is pretty uncomfortable for my wife. I was on the ISCSC site a read this

809.5.2 Riser heights.​

Risers, other than the top and bottom riser, shall have a uniform height of not greater than 12 inches (305 mm). The top riser height shall be any dimension not exceeding 12 inches (305 mm) for the width of the walking surface. The bottom riser height shall be any dimension not exceeding 12 inches (305 mm). The top and bottom riser heights shall not be required to be equal to each other or equal to the uniform riser height. Riser heights shall be measured at the horizontal centerline of the walking surface area.

Do I have any recourse to make my PB fix this...it would be a nightmare to fix now that everything is done. But if it's not to code it seems there is some liability on the PB. The issue is he didn't account for the autocover, it raises the top of the pool creating a 14' top step
 
The ISCSC is advisory and does not apply to residential pools. The code is used for commercial pool specifications. You can argue with the builder but has no force of law to compel him to fix it.

How would you want it fixed?
 
ajw22 said:
The ISCSC is advisory and does not apply to residential pools. The code is used for commercial pool specifications. You can argue with the builder but has no force of law to compel him to fix it.

How would you want it fixed?
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Im not even sure but my wife has mobility issues and the step way to high for her. We have been using a plastic step for her to step on to get in & out...only way I can think of is taking the liner out redoing the steps and replacing the liner with a new one...kinda sucks to pay the money I did for a pool my wife has trouble using...
 
You have any pictures of the steps during construction before the liner was installed?

Usually in a liner pool prefabricated fiberglass steps are installed. I don't know what choices of step heights those assembly's come in.
 
ajw22 said:
You have any pictures of the steps during construction before the liner was installed?

Usually in a liner pool prefabricated fiberglass steps are installed. I don't know what choices of step heights those assembly's come in.
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These are not fiberglass steps. They are framed of steel then filled with concrete and topped with vermiculite. Then the liner goes over. As I'm typing this it sounds impossible to rectify this....
 

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Local Building codes apply and it is likely that your local code has adopted ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011, which sets forth the Standards that apply to a Residential pool.

Do you have a Handrail?

Can you show pictures of the pool?

Have you discussed the issue with your builder?

Have you looked into any sort of mobility equipment that assists disabled people to get into and out of a pool?


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ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 (R2022) American National Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools

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ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 (R2022) 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 exceedin
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thephta Publisher Publications - Issuu

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance advances the common interests of the industry by providing education, industry leadership, legislative and regulatory advocacy, standards development, research and market growth to increase our members' professionalism, knowledge and profitability.
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R326.9 Referenced Standards​


The standards referenced herein are in Table R326.9.

Table R326.9
Referenced Standards
ANSI/APSPSection
ANSI/APSP/ICC-3—14 American National Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas and Swim SpasR326.5.1
ANSI/APSP/ICC-4—12 American National Standard for Aboveground/Onground Residential Swimming PoolsR326.4.2
ANSI/APSP/ICC-5—11 American National Standard for Residential Inground Swimming PoolsR326.4.1
ANSI/APSP/ICC-6—13 American National Standard for Residential Portable Spas and Swim SpasR326.5.2
ANSI/APSP/ICC-7—13 American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Catch BasinsR326.7
ANSI/APSP/ICC-16-11 American National Standard for Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas and Hot TubsR326.3
ASTM
ASTM F1346—91 (2010) Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot TubsR326.6.1,

R326.6.4
UL
UL 2017—2008 General-Purpose Signaling Devices and Systems - with revisions through May 2011R326.6.1



R326.4 Swimming Pools​


Swimming pools shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Sections R326.4.1 through R326.4.3.

R326.4.1 In-Ground Pools

In-ground pools shall be designed and constructed in compliance with APSP 5.

 
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12" is the legal maximum, so the builder has to fix it.

However, would that solve the problem?

How much height is a manageable height?

Would a rail solve the problem?

If you do not have a rail, installing one would help a lot and you could tell the builder to install one for free to settle the issue.
 
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I do have a railing, it dose help but that 14" step is a killer
 

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JamesW said:
What would you consider to be an acceptable solution?
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I'm not sure was hoping to get some ideas here...I have mentioned the step height to the pb previously and he hasn't commented on it. I know there's no easy fix and I figured I was screwed because he has been paid in full. But if this isn't to code( I still need final inspection) I would think he is liable and needs to make it right.
 
Superblue72 said:
I have mentioned the step height to the pb previously and he hasn't commented on it.
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Time to tell them that you would like them to help you figure out a solution.

If they make it 12", is that going to work for you or do you need a lower height?

Ask the Building Code Office to tell you the official code and if it requires compliance with ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011.
 
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JamesW said:
Time to tell them that you would like them to help you figure out a solution.

If they make it 12", is that going to work for you or do you need a lower height?

Ask the Building Code Office to tell you the official code and if it requires compliance with ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011.
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I contacted my local building dept they told me Ct uses
2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code ISPSC

322.4 Recessed treads.
Recessed treads shall have a minimum depth of not less than 5 inches (127 mm) and a width of not less than 12 inches (305 mm). The vertical distance between the pool coping edge, deck, or step surface and the uppermost recessed tread shall be not greater than 12 inches (305 mm). Recessed treads shall have slip-resistant surfaces



So I reached out to my pb this was his response

Our steel step heights are standard dimensions set by our manufacturer and they do not vary from pool to pool. They are engineered drawings, stamped by a professional Engineer in CT and are submitted for approval with every pool permit. The top step height for our steel is 8-1/8” on all of our pools and is unaffected by the elevation that the top of the pool is set at. Pool height is set to allow proper patio drainage away from the pool for varying patio thicknesses typically from 2” up to just under 4”
When an autocover is installed, the track for the autocover is taller than a standard single or double track extrusion that would typically be used for the cantilever concrete coping that you have on your pool. For this reason, cantilever concrete patio forms come in different heights or are adjustable in height depending on brand to account for different situations and still be able to meet the 12” maximum step height.
It is difficult to tell in the photo because of the angle, but it looks like there is almost 4” of concrete poured above the autocover track. This would mean that the cantilever concrete patio form used was probably a standard cantilever concrete form and not a shorter version that was made for use with your auto cover set up.

Seems like he's trying to put the blame on the concrete contractor...I measured the concrete it is 3.75" if what he said is true I would only have 1.75" thick concrete at the pool doesn't seem right to me.
 
Superblue72 said:
They are engineered drawings, stamped by a professional Engineer in CT and are submitted for approval with every pool permit.
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Do you have a copy of the drawings?

Did the pool builder have oversight responsibility for the concrete contractor?

It seems to me that the pool builder would have been responsible for making sure that the deck was built correctly.

Ask the city inspector who is responsible for the problem.
 

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