Definition of "moveable bulkhead"

[Phillip Luebke]

As we all know, there are additional measurement rules and requirements for USMS-sanctioned meets held in a pool with a moveable bulkhead. Here's a question for you: What constitutes a "moveable bulkhead?"

Next month a bulkhead is going to be installed at our 50-meter pool here in Bozeman, Montana. This is not a typical bulkhead that can be moved to change the length of the pool course. Instead, it will be built in place and bolted into the floor and walls of the pool to create a 25-yard course on one end and a 25-meter course on the other end. At the end of short-course season, the bulkhead will be removed so that long-course workouts and meets can be held over the summer.

In my mind, this bulkhead is removable, but not moveable, but what I think doesn't matter. I'm wondering whether one pool length certification is all that will be necessary once the bulkhead is installed, or if we will have to confirm proper bulkhead placement before every meet and after every session. The engineer that designed it has told me that once the bulkhead is in place, there will be no give, even with lane lines wrenched tight.

Thanks!

Phillip

[sunruh]

i've sent this to the usms rules chair - charlie

[cockrell]

Because it is a temporary fixture and not a fixed permanent wall, the same requirements would apply to this bulkhead as a moveable bulkhead. The intent is that a temporary structure which can be moved, removed, put back in place, etc needs to be measured to confirm the placement when it is put back in place. All of these types of structures are "moveable bulkheads".

We had a facility in Virginia very similar to what you described here. The entire structure could be removed to create a 50-meter course. It was typically left in place during the short course season, removed during the summer, and then put back in place in the fall. We still had to make the measurements to confirm the length after it was put back in place.

Best Regards,

Charles Cockrell
USMS Rules Committee Chair

[Phillip Luebke]

So it sounds like it's sufficient to measure it once it's installed each time, but it doesn't need to be measured before every meet and at the end of each session?

[jseidler]

The bulkhead is a temporary structure. The expectation is that USMS meets held at the pool will follow the USMS Rule 105.1.7.C regarding pool measurement. Rule 105.1.7.E mentions dual-sanctioned meets, which also follow the Rule 105.1.7.C for measurement. The bulkhead will need to be measured before the meet begins and after each swim session.