Category: Project Spotlight

ADA Swimming Pool

Project Spotlight

ADA Swimming Pool

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Understanding ADA Swimming Pool Requirements

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a federal civil rights law designed to enhance access for those with disabilities and prohibit discriminatory acts against them. One of the areas that the ADA regulates is the design of commercial or public swimming pools. If you’re building a hotel, resort, casino, or any other commercial property and you plan to include a swimming pool, your water feature must be in full compliance with the ADA’s regulations.

Requirements for Existing Pools

The new updates to the ADA law, implemented in 2010, state that businesses with existing pools should make these pools accessible when doing so is readily achievable. In other words, if an existing pool can be made accessible without unreasonable effort or expense, then it must be made accessible. To defray the cost of making an existing pool ADA-compliant, property owners can refer to Sections 44 and 190 of the U.S. IRS Code. These allow tax credits and deductions intended to offset the cost of enhancing accessibility.

Options for Making Pools Accessible

The 2010 ADA updates sort pools into two main categories. Large pools are defined as having at least 300 linear feet of pool wall. Small pools have fewer than this. The ADA requires large pools to have at least two accessible entry and exit points. Small pools must feature at least one. For a small pool, it is acceptable to have either a sloped entry or a fixed pool lift. For a large pool, one entry/exit point must be a fixed pool lift or a sloped entry, and the other one can be a transfer wall, transfer system, or pool stairs.

The swimming pool designers at Aqua Design International have an in-depth understanding of ADA requirements, as well as all other applicable compliance requirements. Our team can design and construct a swimming pool that enhances your property, pleases your guests, and enables you to remain in full compliance with all applicable regulations. To get started on your project, call our office in Tucson at 520-219-8929.

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Resort Water Features

ADI Insights

Resort Water Features

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Resort Water Features, Beyond the Pool

The pool may be the centerpiece of the resort, but it isn’t the only aquatic amenity your guests can enjoy. Water features can be entertaining (splash pads), relaxing (spas), or visually stunning (water fountains and reflecting pools). To identify the water features that would best suit your resort, consider your target demographic.

Splash Pads

If your resort caters to families with young children, splash pads can be a very popular attraction. Splash pads, also known as spray parks, involve little to no standing water. Instead, water is forced upward through ground nozzles to create refreshing sprays. Sprays can also come from playfully designed vertical features, including interactive elements for children of all ages. Since there is no standing water, splash pads have the added benefit of requiring little to no lifeguard supervision. To create a more enticing setting, install benches and coordinate to ensure adequate shade coverage around the periphery for parents.

Water Fountains

Many resorts feature elegant water fountains to create a visually stunning landscape. These may be installed anywhere from the porte cochere to the lobby, restaurants or throughout the grounds. Water fountains are endlessly customizable. Some feature intricate, classical sculptures, while others embrace a contemporary design. Some are designed to produce sound, others as quiet and unobtrusive as immutable reflecting pools.

Spas

Spas and whirlpools are often situated near the main pool of a resort. They offer a quieter retreat for adults to relax in, away from the hustle and bustle of the kids in the main pool. Spas may also be housed indoors, offering year-round access for resorts in northern climates.

Reflecting Pools

Reflecting pools are typically shallow pools not intended for swimming. The surface of the water is left undisturbed intending to inspire a relaxed, meditative mood.

Koi Ponds

Koi ponds can be suitable for nearly all climates, as the fish can be brought inside to an interior tank during the winter. Koi ponds offer delight for all ages. They can be designed like a water garden with the use of beautiful, natural stone and water-loving plants. The key to the success of Koi ponds is to maintain the oxidation reduction potential of the water at 450 mV, well below that used in swimming pools but ideal conditions for the Koi to thrive.

Aqua Design International is a leading water feature design firm. Our team of experts can design any water feature for any application anywhere in the world. To request a consultation, please call our headquarters in Tucson at (520) 219 8929.

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