Texas Administrative Code
Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES
Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Chapter 265 - GENERAL SANITATION
Subchapter L - PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS
Section 265.182 - Definitions

(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.

(45) NRPA--National Recreation and Parks Association.

(46) ORP--Oxidation Reduction Potential. The measure of the oxidation-reduction potential of chemicals in water or the tendency for a solution to either gain or lose electrons. It is generally measured in millivolts (mV) by means of an electronic meter and depends upon types and concentrations of oxidizing and reducing chemicals in water.

(47) pH--A value expressing the relative acidic or basic tendencies of liquids, such as water, on a scale from 0 to 14 with 7.0 being neutral, values less than 7.0 being acidic, and values greater than 7.0 being basic.

(48) PHTA--Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. Formerly APSP.

(49) PIWF--Public interactive water feature and fountain. A PIWF includes any indoor or outdoor installation maintained for public recreation that includes water sprays, dancing water jets, waterfalls, dumping buckets, or shooting water cannons in various arrays for the purpose of wetting the persons playing in the spray streams. It may be a stand-alone PIWF, also known as a splash pad, spray pad, or wet deck, or may share a water supply, disinfection system, filtration system, circulation system, or other treatment system that allows water to co-mingle with a pool.

(50) Pool yard or spa yard--An area that has an enclosure containing a pool or spa.

(51) Public pool--For purposes of the rules in this subchapter related to safety, operation and management, signage and enclosures, pools are classified and referred to as follows: any man-made permanently installed or non-portable structure, basin, chamber, or tank containing an artificial body of water that is maintained or used expressly for public recreation, swimming, diving, aquatic sports, or other aquatic activity. Public pools include but are not limited to activity pools, catch pools, lazy or leisure river pools, wave action pools, vortex pools, therapy pools, and wading pools. A public pool may be publicly or privately owned and may be operated by an owner, lessee, operator, licensee, or concessionaire. A fee for use may or not be charged. The term does not include a residential pool, artificial swimming lagoon, floatation system or chamber, or a body of water that continuously recirculates water from a spring.

(52) Pools and Spas--Public swimming pools and public spas are referred to as pools and spas throughout this subchapter.

(53) Ppm--Parts per million.

(54) Public spa--A body of water intended for the immersion of persons in either hot or cold water circulated in a closed system and not intended to be drained and refilled after each use. A spa can include a filter, heater, a pump or pumps, blowers, and water sanitizing equipment. The term includes a swim spa or exercise spa. For purposes of the rules in this subchapter related to safety, operation and management, signage, and enclosures, spas are classified and referred to as follows:

(55) Regulatory authority--A federal or state agency or local regulatory authority having jurisdiction over pools and spas, and associated facilities.

(56) Rescue tube--A piece of lifesaving equipment that is a part of the equipment used by lifeguards to make water rescue easier by helping support the victim's and rescuer's weight.

(57) Resident youth camp--A resident youth camp as described in the Texas Youth Camps Safety and Health rules, § 265.11 of this chapter.

(58) 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 a spa serving only a single-family home or duplex.

(59) Rinsing shower--A shower located on the pool or spa deck for the purpose of removing sand, dirt, sweat, and user hygiene products without the use of hot water or soap.

(60) Secchi disk--An 8-inch diameter disk with alternating black and white quadrants that is lowered in the pool and spa and is used to measure water turbidity and clarity.

(61) Secondary disinfection system--A process or system installed in addition to the standard disinfection system required on all pools and spas.

(62) Self-closing and self-latching device--A device or mechanism that causes a gate to automatically close without human or electrical power after it has been opened and to automatically latch without human or electrical power when the gate closes.

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

(64) Supplemental treatment system--A system, process, or water treatment which is not required on a public pool or spa for health and safety reasons that may be used to enhance overall system performance and improve water quality.

(65) Surf pool--A pool with less than 20,000 square feet of water surface area in which waves are generated and dedicated to the activity of surfing on a surfboard or analogous surfing device commonly used in the ocean and intended for sport. A surf pool is intended for the sport of surfing as opposed to general play activities in wave pools.

(66) Superchlorination--See paragraph (12) of this section, Breakpoint chlorination.

(67) TCEQ--Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

(68) TDLR--Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

(69) 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 or certified medical personnel.

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

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

(72) UL--An independent testing laboratory (formerly Underwriters Laboratories).

(73) USCG--United States Coast Guard.

(74) User--A person using a pool, spa, or lagoon or adjoining deck.

(75) VGBA--The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. A federal law that requires drain covers to comply with entrapment protection requirements specified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ANSI/APSP 16 performance standard or any successor standard, and ANSI/PHTA/ICC-7 American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins.

(76) Wading pool--A pool with a maximum water depth that is no greater than 18 inches. A wading pool may contain a PIWF.

(77) Wave pool--A pool, with less than 20,000 square feet of water surface area, designed to simulate breaking or cyclic waves for purposes of general play. A wave pool is intended for general play as opposed to a surf pool that is intended for sport.

(78) Written instructions--Written communication that provides directions for carrying out a procedure or performing a task. Written instructions can include manuals, journals, lists, printed materials, computer-generated materials, and handwritten materials. Written instructions may be maintained in electronic form so long as electronic use and transmission of the electronic materials does not present a risk to the health and safety of individuals accessing the electronic materials.