• Pools must be lit so the bottom of the pool can be viewed at any location on the pool deck.Swimming pool and pool house image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
  
  Each state has slightly different variations of the lighting requirements for pools both indoors and outdoors; however, most of the requirements address three basic areas: watts, visibility and wiring. Lighting can complement the overall design and layout of the pool while still meet the lighting requirements. Creating a properly lit pool will help to create a safer swimming environment for all who use the pool.
  
  

Watts

• A certain level of watts per square foot of water surface is required to properly illuminate the water. Oregon requires underwater lights to provide a total of 0.5 watts for every foot of pool water surface. The amount of watts that are required could be altered by lights that are installed above the water as well. If the water is illuminated from above as well as below the water surface, the watts of both are combined to meet the required number of watts needed to illuminate the pool.
  
  

Visibility

• Pools must be illuminated sufficiently so the drain at the bottom of the pool can be clearly seen. This is a safety requirement to prevent things from becoming trapped in the drain and causing pool malfunction. If the minimal number of pool lights have been installed as directed by the manufacturer, but the bottom of the pool is not clearly seen, more pool lights need to be added. The lights can be added either above the water or below the water.
  
  

Indoor Pools

• Pools that are indoors must also be properly illuminated. Drains, bottom markings and depth markings must be clearly visible on an indoor pool and a minimum of 500 watt bulbs should be used under the water surface to illuminate the water. All light fixtures above the water surface must be made of break-resistant glass. An indoor pool is properly lit when all pool drains and markings can be viewed from the pool deck at any location around the pool.
  
  

Wiring

• The wiring of pool lights must be in compliance with national electrical codes. Prior to filling the pool with water, all electrical connections need to be inspected by a licensed electrician for compliance and safety. Once the pool is filled and the lights are turned on, the water should be tested for an electrical charge to ensure no electrical current is leaking into the water prior to anyone using the pool.