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TITLE 25HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER 265GENERAL SANITATION
SUBCHAPTER LPUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS
RULE §265.182Definitions
Repealed Date:01/01/2021

  (107) Pressure differential--The difference in pressure between two parts of a hydraulic system, such as the influent and effluent of a filter.

  (108) PSI--Pounds per square inch.

  (109) Pump--A mechanical device, usually powered by an electric motor that causes hydraulic flow and pressure for the purpose of filtration, heating, and circulation of pool and spa water.

  (110) Push-pull valve--A device that allows the dual direction control or flow of water through a system. (See definition (154) "Valve.")

  (111) Rate of flow--The quantity of water flowing past a designated point within a specified time, such as the number of gallons flowing in 1 minute (gallons per minute).

  (112) Regulatory authority--Any federal, state, or local enforcement body or authorized representative having jurisdiction over pools, spas, and associated facilities.

  (113) Residential pool or spa--A pool or spa that is located on private property under the control of the property owner or the owner's tenant and that is intended for use by not more than two resident families and their guests. It includes a pool or spa serving only a single-family home or a duplex.

  (114) Return inlet or inlet--The aperture or fitting through which the water under positive pressure returns into a pool or spa.

  (115) Ring buoy--A ring-shaped floating buoy capable of supporting a user.

  (116) Rope and float line--A continuous line that is not less than 1/4 inch in diameter and that is supported by buoys and attached to opposite sides or ends of a pool to separate the deep and shallow ends or mark exercise or racing lanes.

  (117) Scale--The precipitate that forms on surfaces in contact with water when the hardness, pH, or total alkalinity levels are too high.

  (118) Self-closing and self-latching device--A device that causes a gate to automatically fully close and latch without human or electrical power.

  (119) Separation tank--A tank used in conjunction with a filter to facilitate the separation of filtrate material for disposal.

  (120) Service animal--A guide dog, signal dog, or other animal trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, or providing minimal protection or rescue work, such as pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.

  (121) Shall--Mandatory provisions of these regulations.

  (122) Shallow areas--Pool water areas that are 5 feet deep or less.

  (123) Shock treatment--The practice of adding significant amounts of an oxidizing chemical to water to destroy ammonia and nitrogenous and organic contaminants in water.

  (124) Skimmer weir--Part of a skimmer that adjusts automatically to small changes in water level to assure a continuous flow of water to the skimmer.

  (125) Slide--A recreational feature with a flow of water and an inclined flume or channel by which a rider is conveyed downward into a pool.

  (126) Slip-resistant--A surface that has been treated or constructed to significantly reduce the chance of slipping.

  (127) Spa--A constructed permanent or portable structure that is 2 feet or more in depth and that has a surface area of 250 square feet or less or a volume of 3250 gallons or less and that is intended to be used for bathing or other recreational uses and is not drained and refilled after each use. It may include, but is not limited to, hydrojet circulation, hot water, cold water, mineral baths, air induction bubbles, or any combination thereof. A spa, as is defined in these rules, does not refer to a business establishment such as a day spa or a health spa. Industry terminology for a spa includes, but is not limited to, "hydrotherapy pool," "whirlpool," "hot spa," "hot tub," etc. A spa does not include a residential spa. (See definition (113) "Residential pool or spa".)

  (128) Special aquatic activity device--An interactive play device, such as a slide, spray stream, or similar item, utilizing water that is recirculated.

  (129) Stabilizer--A chemical that helps reduce the excess loss of chlorine in water due to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. (See definition (42) "Cyanuric acid".)

  (130) Steps, recessed steps, ladders, and recessed treads--A means of pool and spa ingress and egress that may be used separately or in conjunction with one another.

    (A) Steps--A riser/tread or series of risers/treads extending down from the deck and terminating at the pool or spa floor. Included are recessed steps that have the risers located outside of user areas.

    (B) Ladders--A series of vertically separated treads or rungs connected by vertical rail members or independently fastened to an adjacent vertical pool or spa wall. (See definition (73) "Ladders" for particular ladder types.)

    (C) Recessed treads--A series of vertically spaced cavities in the pool or spa wall creating tread areas for step holes.

  (131) Suction outlet--The aperture or fitting through which the water is drawn from the pool or spa. A skimmer is not considered a suction outlet for purposes of these rules.

  (132) Super chlorination--The practice of adding a sufficient amount of chlorinating compound to water to destroy chlorine demand compounds and any combined chlorine that is present. Generally, the level of chlorine added is 10 times the level of combined chlorine in the water. (See also definition (26) "Breakpoint chlorination".)

  (133) Surface skimmer system/Through wall skimmer--A device installed in the wall of an in-ground pool or spa, or above-ground pool or spa that permits the continuous removal of floating debris and surface water to the filters.

  (134) Surge pit--A collecting tank or sump that allows the pool drain(s) and surface collection system to flow into it by gravity.

  (135) SVRD--A safety vacuum release device, as described in §296.190(d)(3)(B) of this title for minimizing risk of entrapment.

  (136) SVRS--A safety vacuum release system that consists of either an SVRD or an AVS, as described in §296.190(d)(3) of this title for minimizing risk of entrapment.

  (137) Swimout--A recessed area outside of the general perimeter of the pool designed to facilitate the entry and exit of swimmers from a pool.

  (138) TCEQ--Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087, telephone (512) 239-1000.

  (139) TDLR--Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Boiler Division, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, Texas 78711, telephone (800) 803-9202.

  (140) TDS--Total dissolved solids, i.e., a measure of the total amount of dissolved matter in water (for example, calcium, magnesium, carbonates, bicarbonates, metallic compounds).

  (141) Test kit--A device for monitoring a specific chemical level in pool or spa water.

  (142) Therapeutic pool or spa--A pool or spa that is operated exclusively for therapeutic purposes, such as physical therapy, and is under the direct supervision and control of licensed medical personnel.

  (143) Total alkalinity--A measure of the ability or capacity of water to resist change in pH; also known as the buffering capacity of water. Measured with a test kit and expressed as ppm; consists mainly of carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides.

  (144) Total chlorine--The sum of both the free available and combined chlorine.

  (145) Toxic--A substance that has an adverse physiological effect on human beings or other living organisms.

  (146) Turbidity--Cloudy condition of water due to the presence of fine particulate materials in suspension that interferes with the passage of light.

  (147) Turnover rate--The period of time (usually in hours) required to circulate a volume of water equal to the total pool or spa capacity.

  (148) UFC--Uniform Fire Code, published by the International Fire Code Institute, 5360 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, California 90601-2298, telephone (800) 423-6587.

  (149) Underwater light--A fixture designed to illuminate a pool or spa from beneath the water surface. An underwater light includes either of the following:

    (A) wet niche light--a watertight and water-cooled light unit placed in a submerged, wet niche in the pool or spa wall and accessible only from the pool or spa; or

    (B) dry niche light--a light unit placed behind a watertight window in the pool or spa wall.

  (150) UL--Underwriters Laboratory, 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062-2096, telephone (847) 272-8800.

  (151) User--A person using a pool or spa and adjoining deck area for the purpose of water sports, recreation therapy or related activities.

  (152) User load--The number of persons in the pool or spa area at any given moment, or during any stated period of time.

Cont'd...

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