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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

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

  (1) AED--Automated External Defibrillator. A device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia and can treat those conditions by application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.

  (2) Alternate method of disinfectant--A method of disinfectant for a pool or spa requiring approval by DSHS.

  (3) Alternative communication system--Devices that alert multiple on-site staff when activated, such as pager systems, radios, or walkie-talkie communication systems. Used to notify on-site EMS, on-site medical staff, on-site certified staff such as lifeguards, or a commercial emergency monitoring service.

  (4) ANSI--American National Standards Institute.

  (5) APSP--Association of Pool and Spa Professionals now known as the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).

  (6) ARC--American Red Cross.

  (7) Artificial swimming lagoon--An artificial body of water used for recreational purposes with more than 20,000 square feet of surface area, an artificial liner, and a disinfectant method. The term does not include a body of water open to the public that continuously recirculates water from a spring or a pool.

  (8) ASPSA--American Swimming Pool and Spa Association.

  (9) ASTM International--American Society of Testing Materials International.

  (10) ASTM F2376--Standard Practice For Classification, Design, Manufacture, Construction, And Operation Of Water Slide Systems.

  (11) Backflow prevention device--A device designed to prevent a physical connection between a potable water system and a non-potable source, such as a pool or spa, or a physical connection between a pool or spa and a sanitary sewer or wastewater disposal system.

  (12) Breakpoint chlorination--The addition of enough of the chlorination compound to water to destroy chlorine demand compounds, chloramines, and any combined chlorine that is present. The amount added is normally 10 times the combined chlorine concentration. Breakpoint chlorination, also called "superchlorination," results in a decrease in eye irritation potential and "chlorine odors."

  (13) BVM--Bag-Valve Mask. A handheld device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to persons who are not breathing adequately. Also known by its proprietary name, Ambu bag.

  (14) Chlorine--An element that at room temperature and pressure is a heavy green-yellow gas that is used to sanitize water. Chlorine, when mixed with water, forms hypochlorous acid, which is the disinfecting agent, and hydrochloric acid.

  (15) Cleansing shower--A shower with hot and cold running water and soap for the purpose of removing dead skin, sweat, dirt, and waste material from users.

  (16) Combined chlorine--Also known as "chloramine(s)." Formed when free chlorine combines with nitrogen-containing compounds such as perspiration and ammonia. Combined chlorine, or chloramines, can cause eye and skin irritation, strong and unpleasant "chlorine" odors, and is not as effective as a sanitizer or disinfectant.

  (17) Commercial pool and spa--A public swimming pool and spa as defined in paragraph (51) of this section, referring to public pool and in paragraph (54) of this section, referring to public spa.

  (18) Cross-connection control device--A backflow prevention device as defined in this section.

  (19) Cryptosporidium parvum --A microscopic parasite that is highly tolerant to chlorine disinfection and that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. It is commonly referred to as Crypto.

  (20) Day camp--A day camp as described in the Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health rules, §265.11 of this chapter (relating to Definitions).

  (21) Disinfectant--Energy, chemicals, or a combination of both used to kill or irreversibly inactivate microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

  (22) DPD--A chemical testing reagent (N, N-Diethyl-P-Phenylenediamine) used to measure the levels of free chlorine or bromine in water by yielding a series of colors ranging from light pink to dark red.

  (23) DSHS--Texas Department of State Health Services.

  (24) EMS--Emergency medical services.

  (25) Emergency monitoring service--A service that provides an emergency summoning device at pools and spas that is monitored 24 hours a day off-site by personnel trained to identify pool and spa related emergencies, such as drownings. A service capable of contacting local EMS, providing a precise location of the emergency call to local EMS, and that has personnel trained to offer the caller instructions for assisting when possible.

  (26) Exercise spa or swim spa--For purposes of the rules in this subchapter related to safety, operation and management, signage, and enclosures, exercise spas or swim spas are a variant of a spa in which the design and construction includes specific features and equipment to produce a water flow intended to allow recreational physical activity including swimming in place.

  (27) Facility--A pool, spa, public interactive water feature or fountain, and restrooms, dressing rooms, equipment rooms, deck or walkways, beach entries, enclosure, and other appurtenances directly serving the pool or spa.

  (28) FIFRA--The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

  (29) Filter media--A finely graded material (for example, sand, diatomaceous earth, or polyester fabric) that removes filterable particles from the water.

  (30) FINA--Fédération Internationale de Natation. The organization that administers international competition in aquatic sports.

  (31) Floatation system--A combination of a float solution holding vessel and treatment system for the immersion and floatation of a person or persons in a temperature-controlled environment. Also known as a flotation system, sensory deprivation system or floatation chamber. For purposes of this subchapter, a floatation system is not considered a pool or spa.

  (32) Free available chlorine or free chlorine residual--That portion of the total chlorine remaining in chlorinated water that is not combined with ammonia or nitrogen compounds and that will react chemically with bacteria or other pathogenic organisms in the water of a pool, spa, or lagoon.

  (33) Gpm--Gallons per minute.

  (34) Hyperchlorination--The intentional and specific raising of chlorine levels for a prolonged period-of-time to inactivate pathogens following a diarrheal release in a pool or spa as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance titled "Healthy Swimming: Fecal Incident Response Recommendations for Aquatic Staff".

  (35) Island--A structure inside a pool where the perimeter is surrounded by the water in the pool and the top is above the surface of the pool.

  (36) Langelier Saturation Index--A number indicating the degree of saturation in water related to calcium carbonate solubility. The number represents the ability of water to deposit calcium carbonate, or dissolve metal, concrete, or grout.

  (37) Licensed design professional--A person licensed to engage in the practice of design in the state of Texas in accordance with relevant licensing laws, including an architect, electrician, and engineer.

  (38) Licensed architect--A person licensed to engage in the practice of architecture in the State of Texas in accordance with the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1051, and related rules.

  (39) Licensed electrician--A person licensed to perform electrical work on pools and spas in accordance with the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1305, and related rules.

  (40) Licensed engineer--A person licensed to engage in the practice of engineering in the State of Texas in accordance with the Texas Engineering Practice Act, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1001, and related rules.

  (41) Lifeguard--A person who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants and who has successfully completed and holds a current ARC, Young Men's Christian Association, or equivalent Lifeguard Certificate from an aquatic safety organization, a current First Aid Certificate, and a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate received for training in CPR for adults, infants, and children and the use of an AED and BVM.

  (42) Local regulatory authority--A county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state having jurisdiction over pools and spas and associated facilities.

  (43) mV--Millivolt.

  (44) NCAA--National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Cont'd...

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