Pool Sign Requirements Apply to Community Associations

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In late 2012, the California Building Code was amended, effective immediately, altering the sign requirements for pools. Various Departments of Health have failed to give clear and concise guidance on when these signs must be updated and/or added. It appears that enforcement may vary county by county. The conservative approach is to change your signs. If a community association does not update its signs, it will likely be asked to update them at the next inspection or receive a fine depending on the county. Below, you will find a partial list of the signage currently required by law. Each sign listed below is accompanied by the relevant Building Code section. Please review the list and make sure your pool facilities have each of the following signs!

  • “NO DIVING.” Signs shall be posted in conspicuous places and shall state, “NO DIVING” at pools with a maximum water depth of 6 feet or less. (Section 3120B.3)
  • “NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY.” Where no lifeguard service is provided, a warning sign shall be posted stating, “WARNING: NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY.” The sign also shall state in letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high, “Children should not use pool without adult supervision.” (Section 3120B.4)
  • ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION AND CPR SIGN. An illustrated diagram with text at least ¼ inch (6 mm) high of artificial respiration and CPR procedures shall be posted. (section 3120B.5)
  • EMERGENCY SERVICES SIGN. The emergency telephone number 911, the number of the nearest emergency services and the name and street address of the pool facility shall be posted. (Section 3120B.6)
  • “EMERGENCY SHUT OFF SWITCH.” In letters at least one inch (25 mm) high, a sign shall be posted at the spa emergency shut off switch stating “EMERGENCY SHUT OFF SWITCH.” (Section 3120B.8)
  • “KEEP CLOSED.” Keep closed. A sign shall be posted on the exterior side of gates and doors leading into the pool enclosure area stating, “KEEP CLOSED.” (Section 3120B.10)
  • DIARRHEA. A sign in letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high and in a language or diagram that is clearly stated shall be posted at the entrance area of a public pool which states that persons having currently active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the previous 14 days shall not be allowed to enter the pool water. (Section 3120B.11)
  • WAVE POOLS. A sign in letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high shall be posted that describes the requirements for wave pools as described in section 115952, Health and Safety Code. (Section 3120B.12)
  • “CAUTION: WATER IS RECIRCULATED. DO NOT DRINK.” For community associations that use reclaimed water for irrigation or landscaping, a sign shall be posted at each spray ground and be visible from any part of the spray ground that states, “CAUTION: WATER IS RECIRCULATED. DO NOT DRINK.” (Section 3120B.13)
  • “EXIT.” Where automatic gaseous chlorine chemical feeders are used, a sign shall be posted at the pool area entrance which shows in a diagrammatic form an emergency evacuation procedure. Designated emergency exits shall be marked “EXIT.” (Section 3120B.14)
  • “TURN ON BEFORE ENTERING.” Where automatic gaseous chemical feeders are used, a sign shall be posted at the switch to the light and ventilation system for the gaseous chemical feeder room stating, “TURN ON BEFORE ENTERING,” or as otherwise required by the California Fire Code or the California Electrical Code. (Section 3120B.16)
  • POOL USER CAPACITY SIGN. A sign shall indicate the maximum number of pool users permitted for each pool. Note, this varies based on size. (Section 3120B.2)
  • “NO USE OF POOL ALLOWED AFTER DARK.” Where pools were constructed for which lighting was not required, a sign shall be posted at each pool entrance on the outside of the gate(s) stating, “NO USE OF POOL ALLOWED AFTER DARK.” (Section 3120B.9)
  • EQUIPMENT RELATED SIGNS. There are a variety of equipment related signs, too lengthy to mention here.

This list is not exhaustive, it merely highlights certain changes.[1]Contact your local licensed and insured pool contractor for more information.

 


[1] The new pool sign regulations in the California Building Code (Title 24) were adopted by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) effective September 1, 2012, and are numbered beginning with Section 3120B.1. See the following CDPH web page for links to the final regulations, including additional sign requirements:

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