The Ontario Building Code | Public Pools
3.1.17.3. Public Pools
(1) The occupant load of a public pool, except a wave action pool, shall be determined by the following formula:
where,
D = the water surface area in square metres of the part of the pool that is deeper than 1 350 mm; and
S = the water surface area in square metres of the part of the pool that is 1 350 mm in depth or less.
(2) The occupant load of a wave action pool shall be determined by the following formula:
where,
D = the water surface area in square metres of the part of the pool where the still water depth is greater than 1 000 mm; and
S = the water surface area in square metres of the part of the pool where the still water depth is 1 000 mm or less.
3.1.18. drainage and Grades
In Plain Language
Public pool occupant load is calculated with a formula weighting the deeper-water surface area (over 1,350 mm) differently from the shallower-water area, with a separate formula (using a 1,000 mm depth threshold) for wave action pools.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.