Below are a list of FAQs regarding facilities, along with the Swimming Australia facility requirement recommendations. Swimming Australia has also developed a Dive Entry for Competition Policy which can be found under Sport Policies here.
Swimming Australia is able to assist facilities to become FINA certified, for more information on this process contact Swimming Australia at clubs@swimming.org.au.
Facility FAQs
- What are the regulations for competition swimming pool depths?
- What are the regulations for starting block heights?
- What is the ideal water temperature for competitive swimming?
- What are the light specifications for swimming pools?
Pools used for local and regional swimming competitions require a minimum water depth of 1.35m extending to at least 6m from the start-end wall when there is a starting block. The remainder of the pool must be a minimum of 1m. Facilities hosting state and national level competitions are required to have a consistent 2m depth across the pool tank.
The ideal pool depth at different facilities will ultimately depend on a number of factors, including the number of water spaces at the facility and what water spaces will be used for. Facilities used for learn to swim programs cannot exceed 1.2m, while sports such as water polo and under water hockey requires the pool to be at least 2m deep. Swimming Australia recommends clubs, councils, designers and builders seek clarification and advice before committing to any major facility renovations or developments.
Starting platforms must be firm and give no spring effect when jumping or diving. Starting block platforms should not exceed 0.5m - 0.75m above the water surface and have a surface area of 0.50m2. They must be covered in a non-slip material and be distinctly numbered on all four sides.
Competition swimming pools must be between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. During competition the water temperature and height must remain at a constant level.
In competitive swimming it is paramount that officials and spectators are able to accurately determine when swimmer's touch the pool wall to ensure that turns and strokes are executed correctly. In recreational facilities it is also important that there is sufficient lighting to ensure that safety attendants can clearly see pool patrons, that pool users can see each other and that any required procedures can be carried out safely.
For international, national and district level competition the lux is required to be 240 and for recreation and training swimming the lux should be 120 at least. Corner or end lighting systems are not recommended for outdoor pools as they cast shadows on the pool's end walls and can create difficulties when executing finishes and turns. 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 problems resulting from unsatisfactory installation.
Swimming Australia Facility Requirements
- Swimming Australia Facility Requirements
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State/National Level |
Regional Level |
Local Level |
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Pool tank Length and width |
50m length with touch pads in place 25.4m wide |
50m or 25m with touch pads in place 25m wide |
50m or 25m 17.6m wide |
|
Pool tank depth |
2m for length of pool |
Minimum 2m at one end graduating to 1.35m at the other end |
Minimum 1.8m at one end graduating to 1.1m at the other end |
|
Starting platforms |
10 non-slip platforms fixed at each end of the pool tank |
8 – 10 non-slip platforms at each end with deeper end fixed the shallower end removable |
4 – 8 removable non-slip platforms at deepest end for use in swim training only |
|
Bulkheads |
Moveable bulkhead that can be set to adjust pool length between long course and short course |
Movable bulkhead that can be set to adjust pool length between long course and short course |
Movable bulkhead that can be set to adjust pool length between long course and short course |
|
Walls |
Must be right angles to the pool length and water surface extending to 300mm above the water line |
Must be right angles to the pool length and water surface extending to 300mm above the water line |
Can be flush with water level and may have provision for temporary turning boards |
|
Lanes |
Lane width of 2.5m |
Lane width of 2.25 – 2.5m |
Lane width minimum of 2m |
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Lane ropes |
In colour codes and marking styles to meet FINA standards |
Colour change at 5m from end walls, reference points at 15m from end walls and reference point at centre of pool |
Colour change at 5m from end walls |
|
Turn indicators |
Backstroke flags at 1.8m above water line and 5m from end walls. Plugs for false start poles at 15m from end walls |
Backstroke flags at 1.8m above water line and 5m from end walls. Plug for false start poles at 15m from end walls |
Backstroke flags above water line and 5m from end walls |
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Secondary pool |
25m 6-8 lane pool for swimmer warm up and cool down |
25m 4-6 lane space for swimmer warm up and cool down |
Not required |
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Concourses |
7m at start end, 5m at turn end and 4m at sides |
4m at start end, 3m at turn end and 3m at sides |
3m at start end, 2m at turn end and 2m at sides |
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Timing system |
Electronic recording and display board connected to control room |
Connections for electronic recording to control room or pool side control area |
Not required as manual systems used for timing |
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PA system |
For broadcast of results, presentations and public announcements |
For broadcast of results and public announcements |
For broadcast of public announcements |
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Spectator seating |
Minimum seating for 2,200 |
Minimum seating for 600 |
Seating for 150 |
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Competition Control |
Control room adjacent to finish wall of main pool tank |
Control room or concourse space adjacent to finish wall of main pool tank |
Concourse space for set up of temporary control desk |
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Marshalling |
2 Marshalling rooms of 40 m2 |
Separate Room or concourse space of 60 m2 |
Concourse space of 25 m2 |
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Clubrooms |
Space of 100-150m for squad preparation and education sessions |
Space of 100-150m squared for Club activities |
Space of 80-100m squared for Club activities |
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Media room |
Media Room adjacent to pool concourse |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
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Lighting |
Minimum 1500 lux where telecast is being conducted Minimum even spread of 600 lux for State level competition |
Minimum 400 lux over pool surface increasing to 600 lux at start and turn points |
Minimum 300 lux over pool surface |
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Drug testing room |
Private toilet area with individual cubicles for two athletes to be tested and waiting area for minimum of 4 athletes awaiting testing |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
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Equipment store |
Provision for storage of items including advertising devices, medal dais, movable timekeeper seating, back-up timing equipment, training equipment etc |
Provision for storage of items including medal dais, movable timekeeper seating, back-up timing equipment, training equipment etc |
Provision of storage for pool deck training equipment, removable start blocks etc |
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Pace Time clocks |
Provision of multiple pace time clocks, positioned to allow sight lines from all pool lanes |
Provision of pace time clocks at each end of the pool with sight lines to all pool lanes |
Pace clock at both ends or one end of pool to accommodate squad training activities
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