Used 1/2 OFF 800.727.1954
In-Ground Manual Turn 360°
-Economical lift for home or private pools where
independent use is not desired.
-Manual 360ºmulti-directional rotation.
-Lifts up to 400 LB.
No dangerous
and expensive batteries required. Completely
green to operate.
-Variable Vertical Travel Up to 55".
-Installs in Deck Socket (Socket and Socket
Cover included)
-Other mounting options available---
inquire.
Easily removed for storage. Mounts in deck
socket for maximum stability Includes one-piece mesh sling seat, adjustable
stainless steel chains, and spreader bar.
-Stainless
steel construction for long-lasting, low maintenance operation.
-Seat can be adjusted by moving chains.
ABC's of the ADA For Public Pools and Spas
Wading through the Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines can
be confusing. For this reason, Aquatic Access offers this ADA Advisor, with
quotations from the actual guidelines, explanations of the meaning, and the ease
of compliance with the help of Aquatic Access products.
The technical requirements for public pools and spas are found in section 15.8
of the guidelines document, but there are some important additions in the
addenda to the overall document. When reading the complete set of guidelines,
regulations with additional information about them in the addenda are marked
with an asterisk. It is important to check on the additional data for these
regulations. There are some pool lift companies alleging that their lifts are
compliant, when they are not. Unfortunately there is no government program to
prevent false claims at this time. Therefore, a careful reading of the
regulations AND the associated addenda is the only way one can be certain that
the lift they purchase is in complete compliance.
You
can find the entire document online at
www.access-board.gov/recreation if you care to review it in its entirety. We
have extracted the main points regarding pool lifts from the
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, 36 CFR Parts 1190
and 1191for
your reference. We will add updates as they become available.
The
text in red is extracted verbatim from the guidelines.
The
text in black is an explanation of the requirement.
The text in blue tells you how the Aquatic Access IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and
IGAT-180AD pool lifts provide the best solution to your accessibility needs.
The recommendations for public pools require that
at least
two means of entry and exit be provided for each public and common use swimming
pool. A sloped entry or lift must be the primary means of access. The secondary
means of access is not permitted to duplicate the primary means and also allows
transfer walls, transfer systems, stairs, or moveable floors as a means of
access. An exception permits swimming pools with less than 300 linear feet of
swimming pool wall to have only one means of access, but that means of access
must be either a lift or sloped entry. When more than one means of access is
provided into the water, it is recommended that the means be different.
Providing different means of access will better serve the varying needs of
people with disabilities in getting into and out of a swimming pool. It is also
recommended that where two or more means of access are provided, they not be
provided in the same location in the pool. Different locations will provide
increased options for entry and exit, especially in larger pools. Wave action
pools, leisure rivers, sand bottom pools, and other pools where user access is
limited to one area, shall provide at least one accessible means of entry that
complies with 15.8.5 (Swimming Pool Lifts), 15.8.6 (Sloped Entries) or 15.8.8
(Transfer systems).
Sections
15.8.2 and A15.8.2
The secondary means of access must be different than the primary means and could
include a pool lift, sloped entry, transfer wall, transfer system, or pool
stairs.
The
Aquatic Access Models IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and IGAT-180AD offer a perfect
solution to a pool owner's dilemma as a cost-effective and space-saving
improvement to a pool measuring less than 300 feet in length. A lift can be
either primary or secondary access to a large (more than 300 linear feet) pool.
Aquatic Access ADA-compliant lifts can be easily installed on an existing pool,
or incorporated in the design of a new facility.
The first technical requirement states that
pool
lifts need to be located where the water level does not exceed 48 inches.
There are two exceptions to this rule. One states that it can be placed where
the water level is greater in pools where all depths exceed 48 inches. The other
exception states that if multiple lifts are used in one pool, only one must be
located where the water depth does not exceed 48". Section 15.8.5.1
Because of the ease of installation, Aquatic Access lifts can be placed in
almost any pool area. Check with our engineering team to determine the best
location at your pool.
The
centerline of the seat, when in the raised position, must be located over the
deck and a minimum of 16" from the edge of the pool and not on a slope any
greater than 1:48.
There are
a variety of seats available on pool lifts ranging from sling seats to those
that are preformed or molded. Pool lift seats with backs will enable a larger
population of persons with disabilities to use the lift. Pool lift seats that
consist of materials that resist corrosion and provide a firm base to transfer
will be usable by a wider range of people with disabilities.
Sections 15.8.2 and
A15.8.5
In order for an individual to move safely from wheelchair to lift and lift to
wheelchair, there needs to be a comfortable distance from the edge of the pool
to the place where the transfer will occur. A significant slope would increase
the danger of the wheelchair rolling away.
The
properly installed Aquatic Access IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and IGAT-180AD with
standard seats meet these space requirements. While some models of Aquatic
Access lifts can be built with sling seats, the IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and
IGAT-180AD have a standard seat of molded polypropylene on a sturdy stainless
steel frame.
There
must be at least 36" of clear deck space on the side of the seat opposite the
water. That clear deck space is not to be on a slope any greater than 1:48.
Section
15.8.5.3
In order for an individual to bring a wheelchair alongside the lift and slide
safely onto the lift seat (and return to the wheelchair after a swim), there
must be enough space for positioning the chair. Again, a significant slope would
increase the danger of the wheelchair's rolling.
Again, the Aquatic Access engineering team is well trained in ADA regulations
and can take the guesswork out of lift placement.
The
height of a lift seat needs to be designed to allow a stop between 16" and 19"
from the surface of the deck to the top of the seat surface when the seat is in
the raised position. Additional stops at other heights are acceptable as long as
one stop falls between 16" and 19".
Section 15.8.5.4
The height of the seat was determined as a compromise to accommodate the needs
of an adult or a child in a standard wheelchair.
The
Aquatic Access Seat has a standard stop at 19" from the pool deck, which meets
this requirement. Further, standard Aquatic Access seats can be adjusted to stop
at 19" or 21" or 23"and can be customized when ordered to stop at any desired
height.
The width
of the lift seat is to be 16" wide minimum.
Section 15.8.5.5
The
standard Aquatic Access seating surface is 16" wide, with 18" between the arms
for further seating comfort. A number of adaptations can be made to suit
particular customer needs.
Footrests that move in conjunction with the seat are required to be provided
except for pool lifts that provide access to some spas.
Footrests are encouraged on lifts used in larger spas, where the foot well water
depth is 34 inches or greater. Additional options such as armrests, head rests,
seat belts, and leg support will enhance accessibility and better accommodate
people with a wide range of disabilities.
Sections 15.8.5.6 and A15.8.5
An adjustable padded footrest is standard equipment for the Aquatic Access
Models IGAT-180 and IGAT-180AD. Although it is not required by the ADA, the
Aquatic Access footrest easily flips up to a vertical position so it will not
interfere with the transfer to the seat. The accessories available for the
IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and IGAT-180AD lifts include a flip-up arm, seat belts
that can be positioned at hip and chest levels, and a headrest.
If
provided, the armrest opposite the water needs to be either removable or fold
clear of the seat when the seat is in the raised position.
This provision is included to guarantee an easy side-to-side transfer from
wheelchair to lift seat. Sections 15.8.5.6 and A15.8.5
The Aquatic Access Optional Flip-Up Arm rotates 115° from horizontal to past
vertical, placing it well out of the way of a bather sliding into the lift seat
from a wheelchair.
It is
required that a pool lift be capable of unassisted operation from both the deck
and water levels. The controls and operating mechanisms must be unobstructed
when a lift is in use and not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of
the wrist to operate. Further, pressure to the operating mechanism cannot exceed
5 lbs.
Pool
lifts must be capable of unassisted operation from both the deck and water
levels. This will permit a person to call the pool lift when the pool lift is in
the opposite position. It is extremely important for a person who is swimming
alone to be able to call the pool lift when it is in the up position so he or
she will not be stranded in the water for extended periods of time awaiting
assistance. The requirement for a pool lift to be independently operable does
not preclude assistance from being provided.
This section stipulates
that the lift must have controls at the deck level and at water level all of the
time. This guarantees that a person in the water does not become stranded in the
water, and allows multiple individuals to utilize the lift within a swimming
session. It is important that a lift buyer consider carefully whether or not
this requirement is met. The regulation also implies in its final sentence that,
while total independence is desirable, prudence must be exercised in any
potentially dangerous situations. Sections
15.8.5.7 and A15.8.5.7
The Aquatic
Access Models IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and IGAT-180AD feature controls at deck
and water levels that require less than 5 lbs. of pressure to operate. Unlike
some other products on the market, the Aquatic Access
IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and IGAT-180AD have controls that are always in reach at
both levels, so that once the lift has delivered a
swimmer to the pool, it can be recalled to the deck for another swimmer's use.
Similarly, if the seat has been recalled to the deck, the swimmer in the pool
can call the seat back to underwater level to exit the pool. The implications of
this ruling cannot be overstated, and it is unfortunate that some lifts are
being marketed as "ADA-compliant" that do not have stationary controls at both
the deck and water levels and could potentially leave a handicapped individual
stuck in the water for extended periods of time.
Another requirement is that
the lift
be designed so that the seat will submerge to a water depth of 18" minimum.
This depth is deemed necessary to ensure that natural buoyancy assists the
individual in moving from the lift into the pool. The standard models of the
IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and IGAT-180AD fulfill this requirement.
Section 15.8.5.8
The
versatile design of the Aquatic Access IGAT-180, IGAT-180/135, and
IGAT-180AD is such that these lifts can accommodate any depth
requirement. The swimmer totally controls the seat's travel,
stopping and starting wherever and whenever desired.
This important feature allows children or shorter adults to stop
before they are submerged to an uncomfortable level.
Single person pool lifts shall have a minimum weight capacity of
300 lbs. (136 kg) and be capable of sustaining a static load of at
least one and a half times the rated load. Pool lifts should be
provided to meet the needs of the population it is serving.
Providing a pool lift with a weight capacity greater than 300
pounds may be advisable.
This requirement serves
to guarantee that the lift can provide access to the majority of
the population and has been tested with weights exceeding the
rated load by 50%.
Sections 15.8.5.9 and A15.8.5.9
The
Models IGAT-180 and IGAT 180/135 have a 400 lb. weight capacity at
55-60 PSI (normal city water pressure), and the Model IGAT-180AD
has a 350 lb. weight capacity.
All Aquatic Access lifts models are available as custom heavy-duty
units. Some custom heavy-duty units can lift individuals up to 600
pounds in weight.
If you have further questions about the Americans with
Disabilities Act or about how Aquatic Access lifts can help you
make your pool ADA-compliant, please send us an e-mail or call us
at (800)325-5438. We will be glad to assist you in making the best
choice of a lift for your pool.
Aquatic Access currently has three models of water-powered lifts that comply
with all of these regulations. The IGAT-180 and the IGAT-180/135 provide access
to most in-ground pools, and with the use of a recessed socket plate, can
provide that access to above-ground pools with decks around them as well. The
IGAT-180AD provides access to in-ground pools equipped with an automatic pool
cover or with a raised lip around the edge of the pool. Click on the button
below to see details about each of these lifts.
Used 1/2 OFF 800.727.1954