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OBC DIVISION B · PART 3 · SECTION 3.12 — PUBLIC SPAS

What safety features does a public spa need under the Ontario Building Code?

Public spas need slip-resistant surrounding surfaces, safe entry and exit with steps or handholds, protected anti-entrapment suction fittings, water temperature control, and clearly located emergency controls including a means to shut off the jets and summon help.

Code reference
Section 3.12 requires public spas to be constructed with safe means of entry and egress, slip-resistant decks or surrounds, suction outlets protected against hair and body entrapment, controls limiting water temperature to a safe maximum, and accessible emergency provisions including a readily identifiable device to stop the recirculation and jet pumps.
OBC Division B, Section 3.12 (Public Spas)

Paraphrased for clarity — open this provision in the BUILDAiD Library for the exact wording.

What this means in practice

Spa safety concentrates the same hazards as pools into a smaller, hotter basin, so entrapment protection and temperature limits are enforced closely. Under Ontario's parallel health regulation, spa water temperature is capped at 40 degrees Celsius, and the OBC construction requirements are designed to support that operational limit through proper controls. Design pitfalls include burying the emergency stop switch in a mechanical room instead of at the spa, omitting handholds at entry points, and using drain fittings without anti-entrapment certification. Coordinate signage and clock visibility with the operator's obligations.

Plain language

A shared hot tub must be built so people can get in and out safely, cannot be trapped by drain suction, and cannot be scalded, water is limited to about 40 degrees Celsius. There must also be an easy-to-find emergency button that shuts off the jets.

Related questions

What counts as a public spa or hot tub under the Ontario Building Code?What are the water treatment and recirculation requirements for public spas in Ontario?What emergency provisions must a public spa have in Ontario?

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This page is provided for general information. Building code requirements depend on your specific project, occupancy and municipality, and code editions change. Always verify requirements against the current Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.