[HISTORY: Adopted by the Representative Town Meeting of the Town
of Fairfield as Ch. 15 of the Code of the Town of Fairfield 1968. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
The Director of Health of the Town of Fairfield or his duly authorized
agent.
The Town Engineer and Director of Public Works of the Town of Fairfield
or his duly authorized agent.
A body of water in an artificial receptacle or other container, permanently
constructed either above or below the ground, having a depth at any point
greater than two feet or having a water surface area greater than 250 square
feet, used or intended to be used for swimming, including all structures,
appurtenances, equipment, appliances or other facilities pertinent to and
maintained for the operation thereof. Such requirements apply only to swimming
pools located on private property under the control of the occupant, the use
of which is intended for swimming or bathing by members of the occupant's
family.
The Supervisor of the Building Inspection Department of the Town
of Fairfield or his duly authorized agent.
[1]
Editor's Note: The provisions in this chapter have been preempted
by the enactment of the State Building Code, which contains swimming pool
regulations and requirements which are controlling over those contained herein.
See C.G.S. § 29-253.
No residential swimming pool or appurtenances thereto shall be constructed,
installed or altered prior to approval from the Director of Health and subsequent
issuance of zoning and building permits.
Zoning and building permit fees shall be set according to the regulations
of the Plan and Zoning and Building Commissions of the Town.
A.
Plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Director
of Health and the Supervisor of the Building Inspection Department, shall
be drawn to scale and shall show dimensions and construction of pool
and appurtenances, properly established distances to lot lines, buildings,
walks and fences, details of water supply, drainage and water disposal systems,
location of overhead electrical conductors, location of existing domestic
sewage disposal system and all appurtenances pertaining to the swimming pool.
Detail plans of structures, vertical elevations and sections through the pool
showing depth shall be included.
B.
When applying for permits, one copy of the plans shall
be furnished to the Director of Health and one copy to the Supervisor of the
Building Inspection Department.
Before the pool may be used, a certificate of use shall be obtained
from the Building Inspection Department. This shall be issued following approval
of the Director of Health and final inspection by the Supervisor of the Building
Inspection Department.
Residential swimming pools shall conform to the zoning regulations of
the Town.
A.
Generally. Residential swimming pools shall be engineered,
designed and constructed to withstand the expected forces to which they will
be subjected, full or empty.
B.
Wall slopes. To a depth up to five feet from the top,
the wall slopes shall not be more than two feet horizontal in five feet vertical.
C.
Floor slopes. The slope of the bottom of the shallow
side of the transition point shall not exceed one foot vertical to seven feet
horizontal. The transition point between shallow and deep water shall not
be more than five feet deep.
D.
Steps and ladders. One or more means of egress shall
be provided from the pool. Treads of steps or ladders shall be equipped with
a handrail, except that handrails may be omitted when there are not more than
four steps or when the steps extend the full width of the side or end of the
pool.
E.
Diving boards. No diving board platform shall be installed
or used for any residential swimming pool having a depth of less than eight
feet of water under the end of the board.
A.
Water supply to be potable. All swimming pools shall
be provided with a potable water supply, except that water from natural sources
may be used if approved by the Director of Health in accordance with the standards
for water purity as set forth in the Public Health Code of the State of Connecticut,
Section 19-13-B 33.
B.
Protection of water supply, There shall be no cross connection
between the potable water supply and the water in the pool which would allow
pool water to get into the water supply.
C.
Recirculating systems. Residential swimming pools shall
be equipped with a recirculating system capable of filtering the entire contents
of the pool in 18 hours or less. The pool owner shall have available operating
instructions, which shall be provided by the supplier or builder, covering
the proper care and maintenance of the pool, including the use of high-test
calcium hypochlorite (dry chlorine) or sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine)
or equally effective germicide and algaecide, and the importance of proper
pH (alkalinity and acidity) control. Operating instructions shall also be
provided with every recirculating system.
D.
Wastewater disposal. Effluent from filters during the
backwash cycle shall be discharged to a dry well, leaching field, disposal
area or device approved by the Director of Health.
E.
Drainage systems. The swimming pool and equipment shall
be equipped to be completely emptied of water. Pool water may be disposed
of in a manner approved by the Director of Public Works and the director of
health so as not to create a nuisance or health hazard to adjoining property
or to the public.
F.
Discharge of pool water. Pool water may not be discharged
at the curb or on the surface of any road. In all instances where a public
stormwater drain is available, the water from the pool may be discharged therein
if, in the opinion of the Director of Public Works, such stormwater drain
is adequate. Where the water from the pool is not disposed of in the public
stormwater drain, it shall be disposed of by means of dry wells or leaching
fields or a tank truck or a sprinkling system or dispersion point on the surface,
provided that such water will not overflow onto abutting property or flood
existing leaching areas of a sewage disposal system.
G.
Protection of water supply. There shall be no direct
physical connection between any drain from the pool and any storm drain which
would permit a backup from the storm drain into the swimming pool.
Where lights are used to illuminate any portion of a residential swimming
pool, they shall be so arranged or shaded as to reflect light away from adjacent
premises or public highways.
A.
Overhead electric conductors. No overhead electrical
conductor shall be installed or maintained within 20 feet of the perimeter
of any swimming pool. All metal fences, enclosures or railings near or adjacent
to pools to which bathers have access, which may become electrically charged
as a result of contact with broken overhead conductors or from any other cause
shall be effectively grounded.
B.
Abandonment of pools. If any residential swimming pool
shall be abandoned or permanently discontinued, it shall be filled, regraded
or covered in a manner approved by the Supervisor of the Building Inspection
Department.
C.
Enclosures. Residential swimming pools shall be protected
with fencing or permanent enclosures, either around the pool area or the property,
to make the water inaccessible from the outside to small children. Such fencing
or permanent enclosures, including gates therein, shall be not less than four
feet high above the underlying ground. All gates shall be self-closing and
self-latching, with latches placed four feet above the underlying ground or
otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children. Buildings
may constitute part of the enclosure. Natural barriers may constitute part
of the enclosure as long as the protection afforded is equal to that provided
by the fencing, gate and latch described above. Aboveground pools which are
protected by steps, with self-closing, self-latching gates, at least four
feet high, or with vertical sides at least four feet high and steps easily
removable by one person, shall not require fencing or other enclosure.
A.
The Supervisor of the Building Inspection Department
and the Director of Health shall conduct such inspections as they deem necessary
to ensure compliance with provisions of this chapter.
B.
In the event that any swimming pool is found to be a
hazard to health, the Director of Health may cause a suspension of the use
thereof until such time as it shall no longer constitute a hazard.
