Swimming pool accessibility
An accessible swimming pool is a sports and leisure facility designed and equipped so that everyone – regardless of their level of ability – can use all of its areas safely, independently and comfortably.
For a swimming pool to genuinely deserve to be called accessible, it must meet a number of specific legal and technical requirements. The regulations keep changing and adding new obligations for investors, especially for larger facilities. A good example is the so-called “komfortka” (adult changing room). Under the regulation of the Minister of Development and Technology of 27 March 2024, a pool must provide a dedicated room adapted for changing adults with special needs.
Which laws and regulations must a swimming pool comply with?
The design and subsequent day-to-day management of a swimming pool are based on several key documents. They set the framework that gives a facility the chance to be safe and truly open to everyone:
- the Act of 7 July 1994 – Construction Law,
- the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions to be met by buildings and their location,
- the Act of 19 July 2019 on ensuring accessibility for persons with special needs,
- the Regulation of the Minister of Health on the requirements for water in swimming pools and the Act on the State Sanitary Inspection,
- the Act of 18 August 2011 on the safety of persons in water areas.
These binding regulations are usefully complemented by government documents such as “Standardy dostępnej pływalni” (Accessible Swimming Pool Standards), prepared by the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy. This is where we find very specific, mandatory solutions for wet areas, dry areas and getting into the water itself.
Design standards – what must an accessible swimming pool have?
When designing an accessible pool, we need to think through the entire route a user takes.
- Information and communication: corridors and entrances should be marked in a contrasting way, and a tactile map with a clear “you are here” marker is mandatory at the exit from the changing rooms. An induction loop should be installed at the ticket desks or customer service area.
- Showers and changing rooms: handrails are mandatory in the wet area. What is more, at least one shower must have a folding seat and an emergency assistance call system with a pull cord.
- Access to the pool basin: the edge of the basin must be clearly marked with a contrasting strip of a different texture. Safe entry into the water is provided by suitable steps, ramps, ladders, pool hoists or special pool wheelchairs.
These points are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mandatory requirements. The full list of an investor's obligations is much longer, and the guidelines also suggest many desirable (recommended) solutions. Although they are not imposed from above, implementing them makes life much easier for users and noticeably raises the standard of the facility.
When should you contact Nautil?
Designing a facility that meets the requirements of strict legislation while causing no problems in everyday use is quite a demanding task. Contact us if you:
- Are planning to build or modernise a swimming pool and need support in bringing the facility into line with Construction Law and accessibility guidelines.
- Are looking for proven technologies, such as pool hoists or a movable pool floor, that will open your pool up to a wider range of customers.
- Want expert advice on designing challenging areas such as sanitary facilities or changing rooms.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Which laws and regulations must an accessible swimming pool meet?
The basic regulations a swimming pool must comply with are Construction Law, the regulation on the technical conditions for buildings and the Act on ensuring accessibility for persons with special needs. In addition, the facility must meet the guidelines set out in “Standardy dostępnej pływalni” (Accessible Swimming Pool Standards), as well as strict sanitary regulations and those concerning safety in water areas.
What is a “komfortka” (adult changing room) at a swimming pool?
A “komfortka” is a separate, specially adapted sanitary room intended for changing and dressing adults with special needs. The obligation to provide one stems from the regulation of the Minister of Development and Technology of 27 March 2024.
What are the accessibility rules for the pool basin?
The facility should offer a variety of ways of getting into the water, such as suitably profiled steps, ramps, ladders with deep treads (min. 18 cm), pool wheelchairs and pool hoists.
