Commercial Pool Design — HOA, Apartment, and Resort Pools (and Why They're Different)
Commercial pools aren't bigger residential pools. Different code, different equipment, different maintenance, different liability. Here's the full picture.
Code
AZ commercial pools fall under ADHS (Arizona Department of Health Services) rules. Required: depth markings every 25 ft, lifeline at the slope break, dedicated drain anti-entrapment compliance, ADA-accessible entry, 5 ft minimum deck around the entire pool, posted bather load.
Equipment
Turnover rate of 6 hrs (vs 12+ hrs residential). Larger pumps, larger filters, often diatomaceous-earth. Automated chemistry controllers (HASA, Stenner, Pentair Commercial). Backup chlorine systems. Daily logs required.
ADA access
Two means of accessible entry required for pools over 300 sf (lift + sloped entry, or two lifts). Must be permanently mounted, not portable.
Liability documentation
Daily chemistry logs, monthly drain cover inspections, quarterly equipment service, annual cross-connection inspection. We provide closeout binders + service templates for HOA boards.
Why hire a commercial-experienced builder
The penalties for non-compliance are real — fines, forced closure, insurance non-renewal. We've been built and rescued enough commercial pools to know which corners can be cut and which absolutely cannot.
