FACILITIES RULES 2021 – 2025
Valid as of August 5, 2021
Version 5 August 2021 6
The anchor shall be positioned so that the wave reducing components at each end
wall of the pool shall be 50% below the surface of the water. Anchors should be
installed to withstand 20kN. Each lane rope will consist of wave reducing components
placed end‐to‐end having a minimum diameter of 0,10 metre. The design of discs and
floats should be so that the floats, by themselves, do not influence the length of the
lane rope. A float should be an integral part in between two discs. The lane rope length
of the course shall have a negative buoyancy in such a way that at least one half to
maximum two thirds of the height of the wave reducing components should be
beneath the water surface.
The take‐up reel of the lane rope should require a tool to lock tensioning into position
and to prevent non‐ authorized tampering. The lane rope shall be equipped with a
tension spring, absorbing sudden high point loads and a wire withstanding a tensile
force of 12kN.
In an 8 lane swimming pool the colour of the lane ropes should be as follows:
• Two (2) GREEN ropes for lanes 1 and 8
• Four (4) BLUE ropes for lanes 2, 3, 6 and 7
• Three (3) YELLOW ropes for lanes 4 and 5
The components extending for a distance of 5.0 metres from each end of the pool
shall be of RED colour.
There shall not be more than one lane rope between each lane. The lane ropes shall
be firmly stretched and the tensions should be 1‐1,2kN.
See Swimming Diagrams, Annex SW 1, SW 6, SW 7
FR 2.1.7.2 At the 15‐metre mark from each end wall of the pool the components shall
be distinct in colour from the surrounding components.
FR 2.1.7.3 In 50 metre pools the components shall be distinct to mark 25 metres.
FR 2.1.7.4 Lane numbers of soft material may be placed on the lane ropes at the start
and turning end of the pool.
FR 2.1.8 Starting Platforms
Starting Platforms shall be firm and give no springing effect. The height of the platform above the
water surface shall be from 0.5 metre to 0.75 metre. The surface area shall be at least 0.5 metre
x 0.5 metre and covered with a slip-resistant material.
Maximum slope shall not be more than 10 degrees. The starting platform may have an adjustable
setting back plate. The platform shall be constructed so as to permit the gripping of the platform
by the swimmer in the forward start at the front and the sides; it is recommended that, if the
thickness of the starting platform exceeds 0.04 metre, grips of at least 0.1 metre width on each
side and 0.4 metre width in the front be cut out to 0.03 metre from the surface of the platform.
Handgrips for the forward start may be installed on the sides of the starting platforms. Handgrips
for backstroke starts shall be placed within 0.3 mete to 0.6 metre above the water surface both
horizontally and vertically. They shall be parallel to the surface of the end wall and must not
protrude beyond the end wall.