Kirkland, WA Swimming Pools & Spas: Safety Rules (2026)

Pool safety in Kirkland is governed by a mix of federal, state, and local rules. The federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act requires every public pool and spa in the United States to have an anti-entrapment drain cover meeting ANSI/APSP-16 and either dual main drains or a safety vacuum release system on single-drain pools. All new residential pools built under the Washington State Building Code must use the same anti-entrapment drain covers and include electrical bonding, equipotential grid, and ground-fault circuit interrupter protection for pumps, lights, and outlets within 20 feet of the pool. Public pools governed by WAC 246-260 must post safety signs listing depth, capacity, emergency phone, rescue equipment location, and the operating permit number, and must maintain daily water chemistry logs showing free chlorine, pH, and cyanuric acid levels within specified ranges. Lifeguards are required at most Class A public pools unless a qualifying risk assessment exempts the facility, and all public pools must have rescue equipment including a ring buoy and reaching pole. Residential pools should provide rescue equipment, a shepherd hook, flotation devices, and a posted emergency plan even though these are not strictly required by code. Alcohol, glass containers, and diving into shallow water remain leading causes of pool injury, and operators should post clear no-diving signage in shallow areas.