Dimensions for Swimming
Swimming is an individual and team aquatic sport which is included in Olympic and other international level competitions. The four competitive strokes are the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. At international level, swimming is governed by the rules of Federation Internationale to Nationale Amateur (FINA).
The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.
Standards exist for competition swimming facilities which are published as FINA Facility Rules. They are summarised as follows:
Dimensions
Standard pools are either 50m or 25m in length. Lanes are at least 2.5m wide, with two spaces of at least 0.2m outside of the first and last lanes.
In Olympic or World Championships, pools are 50m long (except for World Championship 25m) with a minimum of eight racing lanes. There are two spaces 2.5m wide outside the eight lanes.
If the swimming pool and diving pool are in the same area, they must be 5m apart from each other.
Depth
A minimum depth of 1.35m, extending from 1m−6m from the end wall is required for pools with starting blocks. A minimum depth of 1m is required for pools without. For Olympic and World Championships the minimum depth is 2m.
Starting platforms
Must be firm and give no springing effect. Height of the platform above the water surface is 0.5m−0.75m. The surface area is 0.5m² and covered in a non-slip material. Each starting platform must be distinctly numbered on all four sides.
Lane line markings
Lane line markings are a dark, contrasting colour, painted on the floor of the pool in the centre of each lane. Width is 0.25m and the length is 46m for 50m pool and 21m for 25m pool. Each lane line marking ends 2m from the end wall of the pool with a cross line 1m long and the same width as the lane line. This is known as the turning tee.
Turning target lines are placed on the end walls in the centre of each lane and are the same width as the lane lines (0.25m). They extend from the deck edge to the floor of the pool. A cross line 0.5m long is marked 0.3m below the water surface, measured to the centre point of the cross line.
Water temperature
The water temperature must be between 25°and 28° Celsius. During competition the water must be kept at a constant level.
Lighting
In competitive swimming it is important that officials and spectators are able to accurately determine when swimmers touch the pool wall, and that turns and strokes are correctly executed. In recreational pools, safety attendants must be able to see clearly, in any part of the pool, swimmers or other users who may be in distress.
For international, national and state competitions the lux is 600, for club, inter-club or district competition 240 and for recreation or training 120. Generally a side lighting system is used for outdoor pools, whether for single or multi-pool complexes. Corner or end lighting systems are not recommended because the shadows produced on the end walls create difficulties when executing turns and finishes.
The choice of lighting for an indoor pool is dictated by design and structure of the building. Early collaboration between the architect and lighting engineer is essential to avoid resulting problems with an unsatisfactory installation. Direct lighting systems are suitable for the lighting of indoor pools.
Teaching and recreational swimming
The requirements for suitable teaching and recreational facilities are much broader than existing requirements for competitive facility use. Safe, clean water is always an utmost concern for pools, spas and other recreational water facilities.
Aquatic centres and public pools have indoor and outdoor recreational pools, lap swimming and in some cases slides and specific areas for toddlers and kids. Some aquatic centres also have fitness areas and swimming lessons available. Pool size, depth and water temperature will vary according to the intended usage.
The general requirements for both competition and instruction or recreational use of pool facilities can be effectively combined after careful design consultation. Special design considerations which allow access for persons with physical disabilities must also be considered.
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