2012 USA Swimming Rule Book

103.15
C
meters) above the water surface.
Height shall be measured to the horizontal line from which the pennants are suspended.
103.16 /NC/ LOUDSPEAKER START SYSTEM — An electronic sound generating device shall
be provided to give the starting and recall signal. Loudspeakers may be mounted underneath or
on the side of each starting platform, between every two platforms, on each side of the racing
course, or positioned behind the starting platforms in such a manner that equitable dispersion of
sound to all lanes is assured. The device shall also activate a strobe light, or similar visual signal,
located on the starter’s side of the course approximately 15 feet forward from the starting end, to
indicate the start to manual timers and deaf and hard-of-hearing swimmers. The start system
may include an underwater recall speaker and final lap signal option.
103.17 /M/ RECALL DEVICE — A device to recall swimmers shall be provided. If a recall rope is
used, it shall be placed at the mid-point of the course in long course facilities and at the turn end
backstroke flags in short course facilities.
103.18 /LSC/ PACE CLOCKS — There shall be at least two large accurate timing devices or
clocks, preferably located one on each side of the course, clearly visible to all swimmers in all
warm-up/warm-down areas.
103.19 AUTOMATIC OFFICIATING EQUIPMENT
.1 /NC/ See 102.24 for Automatic and Semi-Automatic Timing equipment types and performance
requirements. Equipment powered directly from the utility line electrical service shall
have the capability to automatically switch to stand-by battery power source in case of line
power failure without affecting the continuity and accuracy of the timing system.
.2 /M/ Installation and Safety: Equipment shall be installed so that it will not interfere with swimmers’
start, turns, or finish and the normal overflow functions of the pool water recirculation
system. All deck-level wiring shall carry no more than 12 volts.
.3 /NC/ Touch Pads:
A Size and thickness: Recommended pad size shall be 6 feet 6 inches (2 meters) wide
and not less than 2 feet (0.60 meters) deep. Minimum width of pads shall be 5 feet
(1.52 meters). Thickness shall not exceed ³⁄8 of an inch (1 centimeter).
B Markings: Panel face markings shall conform and superimpose on pool end wall markings
as closely as possible. Perimeter edges of the panel shall have a one-inch wide
black border.
C Sensitivity: Panels shall stop the timing system instantaneously by a light hand touch
anywhere on the flat surface facing the racing course and the upper edge but shall not
be activated by water turbulence.
D Panels shall be installed and firmly anchored in the center of each lane and shall have
no sharp edges, corners, or other protrusions on any exposed surfaces.
E At the facilities in which competition to select USA Swimming National Teams for the
Olympic Games and World Championships is held, the touch pads must be minimum
0.9 meters (2 feet, 11 7 ⁄16 inches) high, 2.4 meters (7 feet, 10½ inches) wide and maximum
one centimeter (³⁄8 of an inch) in thickness. Such pads shall be installed at end of
48 2012 Rules & Regulations