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... |
