| (a) Safety rope and float lines and floor markings.
(1) Class A pools not being used for competitive events
or lap swimming must have a rope and float line.
(A) A rope and float line must be located between 1
and 2 feet from the 5-foot depth location, toward the shallow end
of the pool. Floats must be spaced at no more than 7-foot intervals
and secured so they do not slide or bunch. The size of the stretched
rope and float line must provide a good handhold and be strong enough
to support the load normally imposed by users.
(B) A rope and float line must be fastened securely
to a wall or deck anchor made of corrosion-resistant material that
is recessed or removable and does not create a hazardous projection
when the line is removed.
(2) Class B pools over 5 feet deep must have:
(A) a permanent method to mark the transition point
of the pool floor from the shallow area to the deep area using a color
contrasting with the bottom of the pool, such as a 4-inch minimum
width row of floor tile;
(B) a rope and float line located between 1 and 2 feet
from the 5-foot depth location, toward the shallow end of the pool
and floats must be spaced at no more than 7-foot intervals and secured
so they do not slide or bunch; and
(i) the size of the stretched rope and float line must
provide a good handhold and be strong enough to support the load normally
imposed by users; and
(ii) the rope and float line may be removed when the
pool is used for lap swimming or competitive events; and
(C) the rope and float line is securely fastened to
a wall or deck anchor made of corrosion-resistant material that is
recessed or removable and does not create a hazardous projection when
the line is removed.
(3) Class C pools over 5 feet deep must have a permanent
method to mark the transition point of the pool floor from the shallow
area to the deep areas using a color contrasting with the bottom of
the pool, such as a 4-inch minimum width row of floor tile.
(A) A rope and float line may be used in addition to
the transition line and must be located between 1 and 2 feet from
the 5-foot depth location, toward the shallow end of the pool. Floats
must be spaced at no more than 7-foot intervals and secured so they
do not slide or bunch. The size of the stretched rope and float line
must provide a good handhold and be strong enough to support the load
normally imposed by users.
(B) Rope and float lines must be securely fastened
to a wall or deck anchor made of corrosion-resistant material that
is recessed or removable and does not create a hazardous projection
when the line is removed.
(4) Wave pools, surf pools, and waterslide landing
pools are not required to provide a safety rope on the shallow side
of the change in floor slope.
(b) Depth markers.
(1) Depth markers must be placed in the top 4-1/2 inches
of the pool or spa wall just under the coping and be positioned to
be read by a user while in the pool or spa.
(2) There must be no less than two depth markers for
each pool or spa, regardless of size and shape.
(3) Depth markers must be permanent with numbers and
letters no less than 4 inches in height and be clearly marked in a
color contrasting the background of the deck and vertical wall of
the pool or spa.
(4) Depth markers must be spaced uniformly around the
perimeter of the pool or spa in intervals of no more than 25 feet.
(5) Deck depth markers must be slip-resistant and positioned
to be read while standing on the deck of the pool or spa.
(6) Depth markers must have units of measurement that
either spell out "feet" or "inches" or abbreviate "FT," "IN," or fractions
of a foot.
(c) Deck "NO DIVING" marker and symbol. Where a diving
marker and symbol are required in pools, the marker and symbol must
comply with the requirements in the International Swimming Pool and
Spa Code (ISPSC) and:
(1) The no diving marker and symbol must not be less
than 4 inches in height. The no diving symbol must consist of a diver's
profile in a circle with a 45-degree slash through the diver.
(2) The color of the letters and symbol must be permanent
and contrast with the background.
(3) The no diving marker and symbol on the deck must
be slip resistant.
(4) The no diving marker and symbol on the deck must
be within 18 inches of the water's edge and positioned to be read
while standing on the deck facing the water.
(5) If a permanent structure above the pool deck is
within 5 feet of the water's surface, the 4-inch no diving marker
and symbol must be on the structure so the warning is visible to persons
attempting to use the structure for diving. The no diving marker and
symbol are not required on diving boards or diving platforms, Americans
with Disabilities Act-compliant chair lifts, slide flumes, lifeguard
stands, or bridges over the water.
(6) The no diving marker and symbol are not required
on the interior tile line of a pool or spa.
(d) Starting platforms. Starting platforms must be
used during official competition only or when there is direct supervision
by the team coach, a qualified instructor, or a lifeguard. Starting
platforms must be removed or secured to prevent use without direct
supervision.
(e) Certain safety requirements for pools. In addition
to safety signs required in the ISPSC, the following pool safety signs
and operational procedures are required.
(1) Signs must be securely mounted as applicable, readily
visible to the pool user, and be posted within the pool yard unless
otherwise stated within this subchapter.
(2) Sign panels and lettering must be durable for the
weather conditions.
(3) Branding or artwork applied to signs must not distract
from the message panel, and signs must have a distinct border.
(4) Safety signs can be combined on one sign or posted
individually.
(5) Safety signs for pools constructed on or after
the effective date of this section or safety signs replaced at pools
constructed before the effective date of this section, must comply
with Figure: 25 TAC §265.190(e)(5).
Attached Graphic
(6) In areas of Texas where most residents are non-English
speakers, signs and other written warnings or information required
by this subchapter may be posted in the predominant language, in addition
to English.
(7) Variations of the language of the required safety
signs in Figure: 25 TAC §265.190(e)(5) are allowed if the language
of the safety signs is substantially equivalent to the language in
Figure: 25 TAC §265.190(e)(5) and local swimming pool and spa
regulatory officials approve the variation before the sign is posted
in the pool yard.
(f) Rescue equipment. A pool must have at least one
ring buoy with throwing rope and a reaching pole for every 2000 square
feet of pool surface area up to 6000 square feet. A pool with more
than 6000 square feet of surface area must have an additional ring
buoy, throw rope, and reaching pole for each additional 4000 square
feet of surface area or fraction thereof. Reaching poles and ring
buoys with rope must be visible and readily accessible from all areas
of the pool yard.
(1) The reaching pole must be light, strong, non-telescoping,
and at least 12 feet long. The pole must be constructed of fiberglass
or other material that does not conduct electricity and must have
a body hook or shepherd's crook with blunted ends attached.
(2) The throwing rope must be 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch
in diameter and at least two-thirds the maximum width of the pool
in length. A USCG-approved ring buoy must be attached to the throwing
rope.
(g) Certain safety requirements for spas.
(1) Safety signs, for spas constructed on or after
the effective date of this section or safety signs replaced at spas
constructed before the effective date of this section, must be securely
mounted, readily visible to spa users, and inside the spa enclosure,
as required in Figure: 25 TAC §265.190(g)(1).
Attached Graphic
(2) Safety signs can be combined on one sign or posted
individually.
(3) Variations of the language of the required safety
signs in Figure: 25 TAC §265.190(g)(1) are allowed if the language
of the safety signs is substantially equivalent to the language in
Figure: 25 TAC §265.190(g)(1) and local swimming pool and spa
regulatory officials approve the variation before the sign is posted
in the pool yard or spa yard.
Cont'd... |
