PART 3 — FIRE PROTECTION, OCCUPANT SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITYUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code
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3.11.10.1.Lighting and Emergency Provisions
(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), rooms and spaces used by the public in conjunction with a public pool
shall be capable of illumination to levels in compliance with Subsection 3.2.7.
(2) Dressing rooms, locker rooms, shower rooms, washrooms and passageways shall have an illumination level of at
least 200 lx at floor level.
(3) An indoor pool or an outdoor pool that is intended to be open for use after sundown shall be equipped with a
lighting system
(a) that will maintain at any point on the pool deck and on the pool water surface an illumination level of at least
(i) 200 lx in the case of an indoor pool, and
(ii) 100 lx in the case of an outdoor pool, and
(b) that makes the underwater areas of the pool clearly visible from any point on the pool deck.
(4) An outdoor pool that is intended to be open for use after sundown and an indoor pool shall be equipped with an
independent emergency lighting system that automatically operates whenever the normal electrical power supply to a
public pool lighting system fails.
(5) The independent emergency lighting system required in Sentence (4) shall be capable of illuminating the pool deck,
washroom, shower, locker areas, pool water surface and all means of egress to a level of at least 10 lx.
(6) An emergency power supply for the emergency lighting system required in Sentence (4) shall comply with
Sentences 3.2.7.4.(1) and 3.2.7.7.(1) and Article 3.2.7.5.
(7) An emergency telephone directly connected to an emergency service or to the local telephone utility shall be
installed adjacent to the pool deck of every Class A pool.
(8) A telephone accessible for emergency use shall be installed for every Class B pool within 30 m of the pool.
(9) Every wave action pool shall have a public address system that shall be clearly audible in all portions of the pool.
(10) Every wave action pool shall have a communication system for the use of persons engaged in supervision or
operation of the pool that shall be interconnected with each lifeguard control station, the first-aid room and the bather
admission control centre.
(11) The public address system and the communication system described in Sentences (9) and (10) shall be
interconnected.
(12) All recirculating pumps used in a public pool shall be capable of being deactivated by an emergency stop button
clearly labelled and located at
(a) a Class A pool beside the telephone that is required in Sentence (7), and
(b) a Class B pool on the deck area.
(13) The emergency stop button in Sentence (12) shall, when used, activate an audible and a visual signal located by the
emergency stop.
(14) An emergency sign containing the words IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY PUSH EMERGENCY STOP
BUTTON AND USE EMERGENCY PHONE, AUDIBLE AND VISUAL SIGNAL WILL ACTIVATE shall be in
letters at least 25 mm high with a 5 mm stroke and posted above the emergency stop button.
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Code text is reproduced for reference from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 2024 Building Code Compendium). This page is provided for general information and is not an official copy. Always verify requirements against the official Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.