ADA Compliance Deadline Is Here for Pools & Spas ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The ADA regulation deadline to require pools and spas to provide accessible means of entry for people with disabilities was originally announced as
March 15, 2012. The date is now extended to May 19, 2012. The deadline is important, as those pools/spas constructed or renovated on or after the official deadline date must meet the regulation. The compliance applies to school districts, municipalities, cities, counties, commercial facilities and hotels.
Photo: PAL (portable aquatic lift) from SR Smith, Inc.

 

The 2010 Accessibility Standards, adopted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the federal agency charged with enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), require pools and spas constructed or renovated on or after March 15, 2012 to provide accessible means of entry for individuals with disabilities.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) released a statement March 15, 2012 to remind its members and the aquatic community that the compliance deadline had arrived.

However, the next day, March 16, 2012, the DOJ issued a statement saying the deadline for ADA pool and spa compliance will be extended 60 days. Thus, the compliance date is extended until at least May 19, 2012, but the DOJ is requesting comments on whether the compliance date should be further extended to September 17, 2012 to allow additional time for facilities with pools/spas to be in compliance, and to resolve any misunderstandings.

ASAP says it is not clear whether the DOJ will accept and consider comments on the requirements, or only on whether further deadline extension is needed.

Pools in school districts, municipalities, cities, counties, commercial facilities and hotels are affected. Pools with less than 300 linear feet must have at least one means of access, which may either be a sloped entry or pool lift. Larger pools must add a second means.

The original March 15, 2012 deadline had ASAP advising facilities that if compliance was not readily achievable on that day, whether for excessive cost, lack of resources or product unavailability, that facilities should have a written ?EUR??,,????'?????<