French Sports Code

The minimum and maximum water depths of each pool are indicated in such a way that they are visible from the beaches and pools. Starting blocks may not be installed when the water depth in the diving area is less than 1.80 metres. A paddling pool is a children’s pool with a maximum water depth of 0.40 metres. This maximum water depth is reduced to 0.20 metres at the edge…

In parts of the pool where the depth does not exceed 1.50 metres, the slope of the pool floor does not exceed 0.10 metres per metre. In these areas, the pool does not present a sudden change in depth. The slope of the invert of paddling pools does not exceed 0.05 metres per metre.

The water inlets located in the floor and walls of the pools are designed to prevent bathers from completely blocking them or getting trapped in them. They are fitted with grilles with a locking system that prevents bathers from opening them. This locking system is checked periodically. All openings accessible to bathers are designed to prevent bathers from injuring themselves.

The pools can be exited by means of ladders, stairs or gently sloping inclined surfaces. Stairs leading down to the water can be found at: – or in the beach area. In this case, they are fitted with handrails. The sides of the steps are fitted with a protective barrier; – or inside the pool area. If the staircase is not between two vertical walls, the side ends and nosings…

An airlock is a device allowing access from a covered facility to an open-air pool without having to get out of the water. The water depth of the pool into which the lock opens is displayed in a place visible to users, at the entrance to the lock.

The edges and, where appropriate, the walls of the pools are designed to allow swimmers to lean on them.

The design of devices that allow pools to be modified, such as movable floors, docks and walls, or any submerged device, does not present a danger to bathers in any position.

The movable floors are either designed so that their connection to the pool floor respects the slope provided for pools, or are fitted with a device to remedy the danger created at their periphery by the sudden change in depth. They must not allow swimmers to pass underneath. The water depth corresponding to their position is displayed in a place visible to all. These devices must be operated away from…

These provisions apply to slides in which the user slides on a film of water generated for this purpose. They comply with any national transposition of standard NF EN 1069, parts 1 and 2.

Water slides with a height of less than 2 metres are designed to prevent users from injuring themselves and to ensure that they stay on the slide route provided by the manufacturer.