1. Capacity. A pump or pumps shall be provided with adequate capacity for the required number of turnovers of swimming pool/spa water as specified in Section IX B, and whenever possible shall be so located as to eliminate the need for priming. If the pump or suction piping is located above the overflow level of the pool/spa, the pump shall be self-priming.

The pump shall be capable of providing a flow adequate for backwashing filters. Under normal conditions, the pump or pumps shall supply the required circulation rate of flow to obtain the turnover rate required at a total dynamic head of at least:

45 feet for all vacuum filters

40 feet for pressure type sand filters

50 feet for pressure type DE or cartridge filters

40 feet total head for vacuum type DE filters with 20 inches of vacuum on the suction side.

Note: When the recirculation equipment is installed below pool level, these head rates may be increased.

2. Pump Strainer. The circulation system shall include a strainer installed on the suction side of the pump to prevent hair, lint, and other debris from reaching the pump. Strainers shall be corrosion resistant with openings not more than 1/4 inch in size, and shall provide a free flow area at least four times the cross-section area of the pump station line and be readily accessible for cleaning. A spare strainer basket should be provided.

1. General. All facilities shall be provided with a main outlet at the deepest point to permit the facility to be completely and easily drained. Openings must be covered by proper grating.

2. Main Drain Flow Rate. The main drain(s) shall be designed for a flow rate based on a minimum 30% of the total flow in gpm, not to exceed the maximum allowable filtration rate and shall not exceed the drain cover flow rating.

3. Hydrostatic Relief Valves. Each main drain shall be equipped with a hydrostatic relief valve except for spas/pools installed above ground level or if the spa/pool contains sidewall main drains. A sump pump or other approved method of removing ground water from under the pool shell shall be required on any below grade spa/pool that has sidewall main drains.

4. Spa Suction Fittings. On a spa, the main drain outlets shall be designed with dual suction fittings which have equal pipe diameter sizes. The system shall be designed so that neither of the main drain outlets can be cut out of the suction line by a valve or other means. The jet system for spas shall be equipped with two suction fittings of approved anti-entrapment design.

5. Safety. The combined areas of the openings of the grating shall be at least 4 times the area of the main outlet pipe and have sufficient area so that the maximum velocity of the water passing through the grate does not exceed 1 1/2 ft. per second at maximum flow. The maximum width of grate openings shall be 1/4 inch. Pools with a single main drain not meeting the above design shall have an anti-entrapment type cover. Dual main drains shall be required on all new construction or renovation of pool main drain plumbing. The dual main drains must have a minimum of three foot distance from center to center from each other.

1. General. Pool inlets shall be submerged and be located not less than six (6) inches or more than eighteen (18) inches below normal operating water level. Pool inlets shall be installed on a maximum of fifteen feet centers to produce a circulation of water throughout the pool without the existence of dead spots and to carry pool-bottom deposits to the outlets. Provisions shall be made for adjusting the volume of flow through each inlet.

2. Directional Inlets. Wall inlets shall be capable of adjusting the direction of flow and of producing sufficient velocity to impart a substantial circulatory movement to the pool water.

3. Recessed Stair Inlets. At least one inlet shall be located in each recessed stairwell or other space where water circulation might be impaired.

4. Floor Inlets. If inlets are to be placed on the bottom of the pool, the number of inlets shall be determined by dividing the perimeter of the pool (measured in feet), by 15. Any fraction thereof would require 1 additional inlet. Floor inlets shall be so designed as to not create a hazard.

5. Special requirements. Inlet requirements for special designs such as zero depth entry pools shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

6. Wading Pools and Spas. Inlet requirements for wading pools and spas designed for six (6) or fewer bathers shall be one for every 50 square feet of water surface. Any additional fraction thereof would require one (1) additional inlet.

1. General. All pools and other related facilities shall be provided with an operational rate-of-flow indicator that reads in gallons per minute (gpm). All rate-of-flow indicators shall be installed so as to meet manufacturers' installation requirements, such as upstream and downstream straight pipe lengths. Where the rate-of-flow indicator is installed between the pump and the filter, periodic cleaning shall be performed to insure accurate readings.

2. Backwash Flow Indicator. Where the piping arrangement is sufficient to meet the manufacturer's requirements for pipe lengths, a rate-of-flow indicator on the pump discharge, between the pump and filter(s), will be provided on pools with filters that require backwashing. The operator shall be responsible for ensuring that the rate-of-flow indicator is functioning properly.