Pool Length Form and Measurement Procedures

Maintaining pool length certification forms is an LMSC responsibility. Completed forms shall be sent to the LMSC Top Ten Recorder. If a pool being considered for a sanctioned or recognized competition is NOT on file with the USMS National Swims Coordinator, the Pool Length Certification Form should be submitted prior to competition (ideally before it is sanctioned or recognized). To add the pool to the USMS List of Measured Pools, email the Pool Length Certification Form to the USMS National Swims Coordinator, topten@usmastersswimming.org.

There are two constructions of Racing Courses (defined under USMS rules 106.3.1 and 106.3.2):

Permanent Course Walls (106.3.1) – means the start/turn walls are FIXED and cannot be moved. These pools require a one-time measurement for Certification that the pool is in compliance with USMS Facility Standards 106.2.1 for times to be considered for USMS and World Aquatics top ten and records. The Pool Length Certification Form should be submitted for certification with every lane being measured.
Non-Permanent Course Walls (106.2.1 F and 106.3.2) with one or more movable walls (aka “movable bulkheads”) – means that one or more of the course walls (start and/or turn) is NOT permanent. The Pool Length Certification Form must be used when submitting a pool of this type for Certification once originally, AND in addition the Bulkhead Placement Confirmation form must then be submitted for each competition if the times are to be considered for USMS Records and Top 10.

Pool Length Certification Form
(PDF version)

Pool Length Certification Form
(Word version)

Pool Length Measurement Information

It is permissible to use existing certification documents on file with USMS, or World Aquatics if all the lanes have been measured and are in compliance with USMS Facility standards.
Measurement devices must meet the following standards:
- Have a minimum measuring quality of a steel tape for the entire course length.
- Laser devices meeting this standard are permissible.
- The accuracy of the measuring device must be at least +/- .005m, +/- 0.20 inch, or +/- 0.016 foot. This tolerance refers to the tolerance of the measuring device only.
- 2 or more measuring tapes shall NOT be combined to perform the measurement.
Frequency of measurement for Permanent courses:
- For initial certification, one measurement must be conducted on each competition lane.
- After initial certification, re-measurement is NOT required unless structural changes, including resurfacing, take place.
Frequency of Measurement for Non-Permanent Courses (aka “movable bulkhead” pools):
- For initial certification use the Pool Length Certification Form. One measurement must be completed on each competition lane.
- Thereafter, for events sanctioned and/or recognized by USMS, a course length equal to or greater than the minimum required length must be confirmed before competition begins AND at the conclusion of each session. Confirmation measurement includes measuring each outside lane and one of the center lanes. A session is any portion of a meet distinctly separated from other portions of the meet by locale, time, day or type of competition; i.e. first day and second day, morning and evening, etc., exclusive of a short break between events such as before the start of distance events or relays.
- World Aquatics measurement rules and policies shall be the standard for events sanctioned by World Aquatics Masters member federations other than USMS. Currently, World Aquatics does not require course length confirmation for either World Aquatics Top 10 or records.
- The measurement rules and policies of USA Swimming shall be the standard for Top 10 eligibility for events sanctioned or approved by USA-S. Currently, USA-S only requires course length confirmation for national records. Therefore, times achieved by USMS members at USA-S sanctioned meets are eligible for Top 10 consideration without length verification. A bulkhead placement course confirmation measurement is required for a USMS record set at events sanctioned or approved by USA-S. For dual sanctioned events, USMS measurement rules and policies shall apply, so course length confirmation must be performed in accordance with USMS standards for times to be considered for USMS Top 10 and records.

For times from USMS sanctioned or recognized competition to be considered for USMS and World Aquatics (formerly known as FINA) Top 10 and records, the course length must comply with USMS Facility Standards as defined in Article 106 (USMS Rule book).

Minimum Measurement lengths

Measurements (certifying or confirming) may be conducted with or without touchpads in place.
If touchpads are NOT in place, the measurement must be taken in the center of the lane at water level. If a protrusion exists where the touchpad would be placed, the protrusion must be used as a measuring point.
If touchpads are in place, measure from the face of the touchpad in the center of the lane at water level to the other end of the course.
The minimum measured course length during competition shall be as follows:
- SCY – 25 yards, 75.00 ft, or 75 ft 0 in or 75’ 0”
- SCM – 25 meters, 82.02 ft, or 82 ft 0.24 in or 82 ft 1/4 in or 82’ ¼”
- LCM – 50 meters, 164.04 ft, or 164 ft 0.5 in or 164 ft 1/2 in or 164’ ½”
Courses measured with no touchpads in place AND will have one touchpad in place for competition must be at least the following measured lengths:
- SCY: 25.01 yards, 75.03 ft, or 75 ft 3/8 in or 75’ 3/8”
- SCM: 25.01 meters, 82.05 ft, or 82 ft 0.6 in or 82 ft 5/8 in or 82’ 5/8”
- LCM: 50.01 meters, 164.08 ft, or 164 ft 1 in or 164’ 1”
Courses measured with no touchpads in place AND will have two touchpads in place during competition must be at least the following measured lengths:
- SCY: 25.02 yards, 75.06 ft, or 75 ft ¾ in or 75’ ¾”
- SCM: 25.02 meters, 82.10 ft, or 82 ft 1.2 in or 82 ft 1 1/8 in or 82’ 1 1/8”
- LCM: 50.02 meters, 164.11 ft, or 164 ft 1.3 in or 164 ft 1 3/8 in or 164’ 1 3/8”

Special comments

When using a laser, ensure that the device is set properly to compensate for the length of the measuring device (typically about 6”). Measurement lengths that exceed the minimum lengths above by more than 2” should be re-confirmed before submitting any forms.