All public Spa Swimming Pools in Iowa must adhere to strict construction and reconstruction guidelines outlined in Iowa Administrative Code 641 Chapter 15. These regulations ensure safety and sanitation for public use. Projects involving new construction or reconstruction must be designed by licensed engineers and architects.
Before initiating construction or reconstruction of a public spa swimming pool, the owner or designated representative must submit an application to the Iowa Department of Public Health at least 15 days prior to the project commencement. This allows ample time for review and approval.
Reconstruction encompasses a wide array of modifications, including replacing or modifying the spa shell or deck, the recirculation system, fencing, chemical feed systems, slide installations, spa removals, filter changes (size/type), perimeter overflow gutters or skimmers, and even bathhouses associated with the spa swimming pool.
Routine maintenance and repairs, such as replacing equipment or piping with identical specifications to the original design, are not considered reconstruction. This distinction clarifies the scope of projects requiring pre-approval.
Applying for construction or reconstruction involves several key steps. First, plan certification requires that all plans and specifications be sealed and certified by an Iowa-licensed engineer or architect, adhering to the regulations of the engineering and land surveying examining board or the architectural examining board.
Secondly, complete plans and specifications, encompassing site, architectural, mechanical, electric, and pool plans, can be submitted electronically. If submitting hard copies, three sets are required along with the application. Finally, a plan review fee for each pool, spa, or water slide must accompany the construction permit application.
Allowing a minimum of four weeks, and up to eight weeks during peak season (April to August), for plan review ensures adequate processing time. This timeframe applies once all necessary documents and payment have been received.
The Swimming Pool and Spa Program will only initiate plan review upon receiving a complete application, including all required documents and applicable fees. It is the facility’s responsibility to ensure timely and complete submission. Once accepted, the application enters a queue for review.
Following the construction plan review, the owner receives a copy of the review along with the assigned construction permit number. Any deficiencies identified during the review or subsequent inspections must be rectified to comply with regulations. The owner or their representative must then submit a Request for Inspection Form and Registration Form to the Swimming Pool and Spa Program no later than 15 days before the scheduled opening. The department will then schedule a pre-opening inspection and, upon satisfactory completion, issue the registration card.
Iowa law mandates that construction contractors register with the Iowa Division of Labor and renew this registration annually, as stipulated in Chapter 91C of the Iowa Code. This ensures that contractors meet specific qualifications and maintain professional standards.
Under certain circumstances, the requirement for certified plans and specifications for reconstruction projects can be waived. This applies specifically to additions or replacements of chemical feed systems (including disinfection systems) or simple replacements of filters or pumps. The waiver is granted only if the facility owner assumes full responsibility for ensuring compliance with 641 IAC Chapter 15 and all other applicable regulations.
To obtain a waiver, the facility owner must submit a Request to Waive the Requirement for Certified Plans and Specifications form, a completed Construction Permit Application with the $250 reconstruction fee, and a copy of the product specifications, installation, operations, and maintenance manual for all installed equipment. This documentation will be maintained with the department’s facility records.