Interactive water feature
Definition
An umbrella industry term for any water-play element that responds to a user action — pressing a button, turning a wheel, aiming a cannon, or stepping on a pad — distinguishing them from passive sprays.
Interactive water features (IWFs) are the vocabulary state pool codes use to regulate splash pad and spray park elements that involve human action. The interactivity classification can change permitting requirements because some interactive elements (water cannons aimed at others) raise injury risk.
Common IWFs include push-button bollards, rotating water wheels, aimable water cannons, foot-pump jets, and motion-activated tipping buckets. Each IWF must meet ADA reach-range and effort requirements (typically max 5 lbs to actuate, max 48 inches reach).