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Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS

Section 3120B — REQUIRED SIGNS

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-27 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

3120B.1 General.

All signs shall have clearly legible letters or numbers not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high, unless otherwise required in this section, affixed to a wall, pole, gate or similar permanent structure in a location visible to all pool users.

3120B.2 Pool user capacity sign.

A sign shall indicate the maximum number of pool users permitted for each pool.

3120B.2.1 Spa pool. The pool user capacity of a spa pool shall be based on one pool user for every 10 square feet (0.929 m [2] ) of pool water surface area.

3120B.2.2 Other pools. The pool user capacity for all other pools shall be based on one pool user for every 20 square feet (1.858 m [2] ) of pool water surface area.

Exception: Pool user capacity requirements do not apply to wading pools or spray grounds.

3120B.3 No diving sign.

Signs shall be posted in conspicuous places and shall state, “NO DIVING” at pools with a maximum water depth of 6 feet or less.

3120B.4 No lifeguard sign.

Where no lifeguard service is provided, a sign shall be posted stating, “NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY.” The sign also shall state in letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high, “Children should not use pool without adult supervision.”

Exception: “No lifeguard sign” requirement does not apply to spray grounds that have no standing water.

3120B.5 Artificial respiration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation sign.

An illustrated diagram with text at least [1] / 4 inch (6 mm) high of artificial respiration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures shall be posted.

3120B.6 Emergency sign.

The emergency telephone number 911 with numbers not less than 4 inches (102 mm), the number of the near- est emergency services and the name and street address of the pool facility with numbers and text not less than 1 inch (25 mm) shall be posted.

31B-10 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

PUBLIC POOLS

3120B.7 Warning sign for a spa pool.

A warning sign for spa pools shall be posted stating, “CAUTION” and shall include the following language in letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high: 1. Elderly persons, pregnant women, infants and those with health conditions requiring medical care should consult with a physi- cian before entering the spa. 2. Children should not use spa without adult supervision. 3. Hot water immersion while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, drugs or medicines may lead to serious consequences and is not recommended.

4. Do not use alone.

5. Long exposure may result in hyperthermia, nausea, dizziness or fainting.

3120B.8 Emergency shut off.

In letters at least one inch (25 mm) high a sign shall be posted at the spa emergency shut off switch stat- ing, “EMERGENCY SHUT OFF SWITCH.”

3120B.9 No use after dark.

Where pools were constructed for which lighting was not required, a sign shall be posted at each pool entrance on the outside of the gate(s) stating, “NO USE OF POOL ALLOWED AFTER DARK.”

3120B.10 Keep closed.

A sign shall be posted on the exterior side of gates and doors leading into the pool enclosure area stating, “KEEP GATE CLOSED.” or “KEEP DOOR CLOSED.”

[DSA-AC] Additional requirements may apply. Refer to Chapter 11B for accessibility provisions applicable to public accommodations, commercial buildings and public housing.

3120B.11 Diarrhea.

The pool operator shall post at the entrance area of a public pool a sign in letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high that clearly states that persons with diarrhea and persons who have had diarrhea within the prior 14 days shall not enter the pool water.

3120B.12 Wave pools.

A sign in letters at least 1 inch (25 mm) high shall be posted that describes the requirements for wave pools as described in Section 115952, Health and Safety Code.

3120B.13 Spray ground sign.

A sign shall be posted at each spray ground and be visible from any part of the spray ground that states, “CAUTION: WATER IS RECIRCULATED. DO NOT DRINK.”

3120B.14 Exit.

Where automatic gaseous chlorine chemical feeders are used, a sign shall be posted at the pool area entrance which shows in a diagrammatic form an emergency evacuation procedure. Designated emergency exits shall be marked “EXIT.”

3120B.15 Gaseous oxidizer.

Where automatic gaseous chlorine chemical feeders are used, a warning sign with the appropriate hazard identification symbol shall be posted on the exterior side of the door entering the chemical feeder room or area. The sign shall state, “DANGER: GASEOUS OXIDIZER - (specific chemical name)” or as otherwise required by the California Fire Code.

3120B.16 Turn on before entering.

Where automatic gaseous chemical feeders are used, a sign shall be posted at the switch to the light and ventilation system for the gaseous chemical feeder room stating, “TURN ON BEFORE ENTERING,” or as otherwise required by the California Fire Code or the California Electrical Code.

3120B.17 Direction of flow.

3120B.17.1. The direction of flow for the recirculation equipment shall be labeled clearly with directional symbols such as arrows on all piping in the equipment area.

3120B.17.2. Where the recirculation equipment for more than one pool is located on site, the equipment shall be marked as to which pool the system serves.

3120B.17.3. Valves and plumbing lines shall be labeled clearly with the source or destination descriptions.

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  4. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
  5. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  6. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
  9. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  10. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  11. Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
  12. Chapter 11 — RESERVED
  13. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  16. Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  17. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  18. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  19. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  20. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  22. Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  25. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  26. Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 21A — MASONRY
  30. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  31. Chapter 22A — STEEL
  32. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  33. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  34. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  35. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  36. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  37. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  38. Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  39. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  40. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  41. Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
  42. ▸ Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
    Overview
    1. Section 3101B — SCOPE
    2. Section 3102B — DEFINITIONS
    3. Section 3103B — PLAN REVIEW
    4. Section 3104B — CONSTRUCTION
    5. Section 3105B — PLAN COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS
    6. Section 3106B — SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SPRAY GROUNDS
    7. Section 3107B — ALTERNATIVE EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS AND METHODS O…
    8. Section 3108B — POOL CONSTRUCTION
    9. Section 3109B — POOL GEOMETRY
    10. Section 3110B — PERMANENT MARKINGS
    11. Section 3111B — STEPS, RECESSED STEPS, LADDERS AND STAIRS
    12. Section 3112B — HANDHOLDS
    13. Section 3113B — DIVING BOARDS AND PLATFORMS
    14. Section 3114B — POOL DECKS
    15. Section 3115B — POOL LIGHTING
    16. Section 3116B — DRESSING, SHOWER AND TOILET FACILITIES
    17. Section 3117B — DRINKING FOUNTAINS
    18. Section 3118B — HOSE BIBBS
    19. Section 3119B — POOL ENCLOSURE
    20. Section 3120B — REQUIRED SIGNS
    21. Section 3121B — INDOOR POOL VENTILATION
    22. Section 3122B — POOL EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE
    23. Section 3123B — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
    24. Section 3124B — TURNOVER TIME
    25. Section 3125B — RECIRCULATION PIPING SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS
    26. Section 3126B — RECIRCULATION PUMP CAPACITY
    27. Section 3127B — WATER SUPPLY INLETS
    28. Section 3128B — FILTERS (ALL TYPES)
    29. Section 3129B — RAPID SAND PRESSURE FILTERS
    30. Section 3130B — DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTERS
    31. Section 3131B — HIGH-RATE SAND FILTERS
    32. Section 3132B — CARTRIDGE FILTERS
    33. Section 3133B — CHEMICAL FEEDERS
    34. Section 3134B — DISINFECTANT FEEDERS
    35. Section 3135B — GAS CHLORINATION EQUIPMENT ROOM
    36. Section 3136B — POOL SKIMMING SYSTEMS
    37. Section 3137B — POOL FITTINGS
    38. Section 3138B — SPA POOL SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
    39. Section 3139B — SOLAR HEATING INSTALLATIONS
    40. Section 3140B — CLEANING SYSTEMS
    41. Section 3141B — WASTEWATER DISPOSAL
    42. Section 3142B — RESERVED
    43. Section 3143B — RESERVED
    44. Section 3144B — RESERVED
    45. Section 3145B — RESERVED
    46. Section 3146B — RESERVED
    47. Section 3147B — RESERVED
    48. Section 3148B — RESERVED
    49. Section 3149B — RESERVED
    50. Section 3150B — RESERVED
    51. Section 3151B — RESERVED
    52. Section 3152B — RESERVED
    53. Section 3153B — RESERVED
    54. Section 3154B — RESERVED
    55. Section 3155B — RESERVED
    56. Section 3156B — RESERVED
    57. Section 3157B — RESERVED
    58. Section 3158B — RESERVED
    59. Section 3159B — RESERVED
    60. Section 3160B — GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS
    61. Section 3161B — WADING POOLS
    62. Section 3162B — ANTI-ENTRAPMENT DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
  43. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  44. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  45. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  46. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  47. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  48. Chapter 34 — RESERVED
  49. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  50. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  51. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  52. Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  54. Appendix E — RESERVED
  55. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  56. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
  57. Appendix H — SIGNS
  58. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  59. Appendix J — GRADING
  60. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
  61. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
  62. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
  63. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  64. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
  65. Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
  66. Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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