Minnesota Administrative Rules

4717.3875 FLUME WATER SLIDES.

Subpart 1.

Applicability.

A flume water slide facility must comply with parts 4717.0150 to 4717.3975, except as modified in this part.

Subp. 2.

Attendant required.

When the flume is in use, at least one attendant must be continuously present, observing the flume and controlling its use.

Subp. 3.

Discharge pool.

A flume must discharge to a dedicated plunge pool or dedicated area of a pool with a separate ladder or stairs.

A.

The pool's operating water depth at the end of the flume must be no less than three feet and no more than three feet six inches.

B.

The depth specified in item A must be maintained in front of the flume's discharge point for a distance of at least ten feet.

C.

Steps with handrails or a ladder must be provided at the exit from the pool.

Subp. 4.

Flume exit design.

The exit end of the flume must be perpendicular to the plunge pool wall for a distance of at least ten feet.

A.

The flume must terminate no more than six inches below the pool operating water surface level and no more than two inches above the pool operating water surface level.

B.

The side of the exit end of the flume must be at least four feet from the side of the pool wall.

C.

The distance between the sides of any adjacent flume exit must be at least six feet.

D.

The distance between a flume exit end and the opposite side of the pool must be at least 20 feet.

Subp. 5.

Water reservoirs.

Water pumped to the top of a flume must be pumped from a reservoir connected to the pool.

A.

The reservoir must be inaccessible to patrons.

B.

The reservoir must be secured to prevent unauthorized access.

C.

Intakes must enable cleaning and be designed to prevent entrapment of patrons.

D.

Where any entrance to a pump reservoir presents an underwater obstruction, patron access to that area must be prevented.

E.

Water inlet velocity to the reservoir must not exceed 1-1/2 feet per second.

Subp. 6.

Pump valves.

Each flume pump discharge pipe must have a check valve. The volume of water in the pool during use and shutdown of any flume pump must permit proper operation of the recirculation system.

Subp. 7.

Dedicated plunge pools.

The recirculation system for a dedicated plunge pool must recirculate the water in accordance with part 4717.2560, subpart 4.

Subp. 8.

Walkway, stairs, and platform surfaces.

Walkways from the pool deck to the top of the flume or tower, the tower stairs, and platforms must have finished surfaces which meet the requirements for decks in part 4717.3350.

Subp. 9.

Fencing.

Fencing complying with part 4717.1550 or other enclosure must encompass the pool deck, walkways, and flume access.

Subp. 10.

Flume plan content; certification.

Flume design plans must include:

A.

flume construction and layout details;

B.

flume support structure details;

C.

tower structure, stair, and platform details; and

D.

all related construction details.

Flume support and tower structure plans must be certified by a registered engineer or approved by a local building official for structural integrity.

Subp. 11.

Signs.

A legible sign with the warnings in this subpart must be located at the entrance to each flume slide.

A.

Do not use this slide while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

B.

Follow the instructions of the flume attendant.

C.

No running, standing, kneeling, rotating, tumbling, or stopping in the flume.

D.

Only one person at a time.

E.

Keep your hands inside the flume.

F.

No diving from the flume.

G.

Leave the flume pool promptly after entering.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 144.05; 144.12; 144.123; 145A.02; 157.01

History:

19 SR 1419; 19 SR 1637

Published Electronically:

May 11, 2009