Hotel Pool Lifts
Are hotel pools and spas required to be accessible?
Yes, hotel pools and spas are required to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Chapter 11B of the California Building Code (Title 24) accessibility.
The ADA is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in places of public accommodation, such as hotels. The law requires that hotels, including their pools and spas, be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, California Building Code, which applies to all buildings and structures in California, also requires pools and spas to be accessible to people with disabilities. This means that pools must have an accessible means of entry and exit, such as pool lifts or sloped entries. Hotel spas must provide an accessible means of entry such as a pool lift, transfer wall or transfer system.
What are the pool lift requirements?
A pool lift is a device that helps individuals with disabilities enter and exit a swimming pool or spa. It is one type of accessible means of entry that is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Building Code Title 24 to be provided at hotel swimming pools and spas.
Pool lifts are typically installed near the pool and are designed to lift an individual in a wheelchair or with mobility impairments from the deck level to the water level, or vice versa. They are typically battery powered and made of durable and corrosion-resistant materials. Pool lifts are also required to be usable independently and without the need of assistance.
Some of the pool lift requirements under the ADA and Title 24 include:
Pool lifts must be able to lower the seat to a submerged depth of 18” minimum, with a seat height in the loading position of 17-19 inches above the pool deck.
The pool lift must have a restraint, and it must have a footrest and armrests.
Pool lifts must be able to accommodate a weight capacity of at least 300 pounds.
The pool lift must have controls that are easy to operate and is located within easy reach of the user.
Pool lifts must be maintained in good working order and be inspected regularly to ensure they are in proper working condition.
A clear ground space of at least 36 inches by 48 inches must be provided adjacent to the pool lift to provide a space for individuals to transfer onto the lift.
The pool lift must be located on an accessible route to the pool and must not be obstructed by other objects.
It is important to note that this list is not a comprehensive record of all of the requirements. It is important to consult with a Certified Access Specialist to ensure compliance with the most recent version of the ADA & CBC Standards for Accessible Design when designing, building or updating pool and spa facilities. In some circumstances, a pool lift may not be the best form of accessible entry for a pool or spa. The use of a sloped entry of transfer systems are a great option of new construction because long term maintenance costs are less than pool lifts.
If you own or operate a lodging facility with a pool or spa, we recommend verifying compliance of your pool lift(s). Missing or non-compliant pool lifts are one of the most litigated violations that serial litigants cite in ADA lawsuits against hotels. In many cases where a pool lift is already provided, the costs to make improvements are minimal. We recommend contacting one of our experienced CASp Inspectors to evaluate your site to ensure that your facilty is accessible to all guests.
