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 265.195 - Additional Requirements for Aquatic Activity Devices and Specific Pools

Universal Citation: 25 TX Admin Code ยง 265.195

Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024

(a) Slide flumes. Slide flumes constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter must be easily cleanable, have proper drainage in all valleys and dips, and have safety measures that ensure a rider cannot fall or be ejected from the flume.

(b) Wave pools.

(1) Wave pools must be fitted with a rope and float line located to restrict access to the caisson wall if required by the wave pool equipment manufacturer. Safety rope and float lines typically required at the shallow to deep water transition do not apply to wave pools.

(2) A minimum of two emergency shutoff switches to disable the wave action must be provided, one on each side of the wave pool.

(3) Caisson barriers must have no openings that would allow passage of a 4-inch sphere and must be provided for all wave pools. Wave pools using forced air to generate waves must not be required to have caisson barriers unless recommended by the manufacturer.

(4) Safety rope and float lines required at the shallow to deep water transition do not apply to surf pools.

(c) Leisure rivers. Leisure rivers constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter must comply with the following:

(1) Obstructions such as landscaping, walls, or bridges are allowed provided they do not impact lifeguarding, sight lines, or rescue operations.

(2) Depth markers at leisure rivers are required on the sidewalls on both sides of all entry and exits, but if the depth is consistent, they are not required in the landscape, where there is no deck, or on the sidewalls in the main channel of the leisure river.

(d) Movable floor pools.

(1) The use of starting platforms in the area of a movable floor is prohibited when the water depth is shallower than 5 feet.

(2) Use of the moveable floor portion of the pool must not be open to users when the floor is being raised or lowered.

(3) Pools or spas with movable floors must have a sign indicating movable floor and varied water depth. The posted water depth must be the water level to the floor of the pool or spa measured vertically 3 feet from the wall of the pool or spa.

(4) A sign must be posted to inform the user that the pool or spa has a varied depth and refer to the sign showing the current depth.

(e) Surf pools.

(1) Surf pools must be fitted with a float line located to restrict access to the caisson wall if required by the surf pool equipment manufacturer.

(2) Wave caisson barriers must be provided for all surf pools and may not have an opening that would allow passage of a 4-inch sphere. Surf pools using forced air to generate waves may not have caisson barriers unless recommended by the manufacturer.

(3) Safety rope and float lines required at the shallow to deep water transition do not apply to surf pools.

(4) In addition to the requirements for lifeguards in § 265.191 of this subchapter (relating to Lifeguard Personnel Requirements and Standards at Pools), lifeguards must be provided with any equipment necessary to reach the deepest area of the surf pool during an emergency. The equipment must be accessible to all lifeguards, clearly labeled "For Lifeguard Use Only," and be available when the surf pool is open and used for surfing.

(5) No surfer may enter the surf pool unless:
(A) tethered to the surfboard;

(B) wearing a USCG-approved PFD; or

(C) a lifeguard is in the surf pool in the surfing area directly supervising surfing activity.

(6) Non-surfing users may not be allowed to enter the wave areas of the surf pool over 5 feet of depth while waves are being generated unless they are wearing a USCG-approved PFD.

(f) Islands in Pools and Spas Constructed on or After the Effective Date of This Subchapter.

(1) An island not designed or intended for walking on by pool or spa users must have signs stating "No Entry" in letters a minimum of 2 inches in height.

(2) An island must have a demarcation tile line on the perimeter of the island that is a minimum of 4 inches in height and must be positioned in the top 4-1/2 inches of the island wall just under the coping.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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