7.3.1 - Introduction
People using a swimming pool are often
partly unclothed and wet. The absence of clothing (particularly
shoes) will remove much of their protection from shock (see
{3.4}), and the water on their skin will tend to short
circuit its natural protection. Thus, such people are very
vulnerable to electric shock due to their reduced body resistance,
so special measures are needed to ensure that the possibility
of contact (either direct or indirect) is much reduced.
Only separated extra-low voltage (SELV) equipment may be
installed, other than water heaters in zones B and C, and
equipment specially designed to be safe in the vicinity
of swimming pools.
Special Regulations for electrical installations
in swimming pools are new in the 16th Edition. Guidance
Note 7 makes it clear that the basins of fountains intended
to be occupied by persons (becoming quite common in some
leisure applications) are subject to the same regulations
as swimming pools; in fact the relevant Chapter in the note
is titled "Swimming Pools and Fountains". Where
it is not intended that people should occupy the basin of
a fountain, requirements are relaxed as detailed at the
end of 7.3.2.
The Regulations classify zones around the pool, the arrangements
being as follows:
Zone A
is the inside of the pool, including chutes and flumes,
as well as apertures in the pool walls
and floor which are accessible to the bathers.
Zone B
is a volume above the pool to 2.5 m above the rim,
plus the same height above the surrounding floor area on
which people may walk, extending horizontally 2.0 m outwards
from the rim. If the pool rim is above the surrounding
floor level, the zone extends 2.5 m above the
rim. Where the pool is provided with diving or spring boards,
starting blocks or a chute, the zone also includes the volume
enclosed by a vertical plane 1.5 m from the edge of the
board and extending upwards to 2.5 m above the highest surface
which will be used by people. or by the ceiling if there
is one.
Zone C
is the volume extending 1.5 m horizontally from the
boundary of Zone B and 2.5 m vertically above the floor.
The extents of the three zones are shown
in {Fig 7.3}. Although limited by walls or fixed partitions
the zones do extend through doorways and other openings.
Fig 7.3 Dimensions of
zones for swimming pools
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