Section 25-C6499. DEFINITIONS - GENERAL PROVISION, AND DEFINITIONS

 

6499.1The terms and phrases used in this title shall have the meanings set forth in this Chapter, unless the text or context of the particular chapter, section, subsection, or paragraph provides otherwise.

 

6499.2DEFINITIONS

 

Abrasion hazard - a sharp or rough surface that would scrape the skin by chance during normal use.

 

Accessible - easy exposed for inspection and the replacement of materials and/or parts with the use of tools.

 

Algae - a marine plant classified along with Fungi and Bacteria in the group Thallophyta; thrives in sunny places on land or water utilizing photosynthesis for energy production; and can be destroyed easily with chlorine sanitizers.

 

Alteration - any change in equipment or materials used in the construction of a public swimming pool, after completion which does not conform to the original, DOH-approved plans, specifications, and change orders, including but not limited to, such items as pool or deck resurfacing, painting, equipment changes, and structural additions or deletions.

 

Approved safety pool cover - a manually or power-operated safety pool cover that conform to the entrapment protection standards of the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard, or any successor standard regulating swimming pool or drain cover.

 

ASME/ANSI - a safety standard accredited by the American National Standards Institute and published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

 

ASSE - the American Society of Sanitary Engineering.

 

Attendant - person who supervises or controls the entrance, exit or other activities of pool patrons. An attendant may not act as a lifeguard.

 

Barrier - a fence, safety cover, wall, building wall or a combination thereof, which completely surrounds or covers the swimming pool or spa and obstructs access to the swimming pool, or spa pool, including a natural or constructed topographical feature that prevents unpermitted access by children to a swimming pool, and with respect to a hot tub, a lockable cover.

 

Bather - any person using a swimming pool or spa pool and adjoining deck area for the purpose of water sports, recreation therapy or related activities.

 

Bather load - the maximum number of persons allowed in the pool / spa area at one time.

 

Beginner's areas - those water areas in pools, which are three feet (3 ft.), or less in water depth.

 

Breakpoint Chlorination - the addition of a sufficient amount of chlorine to water to destroy the combined chlorine present.

 

Brominator - a device used to apply or to deliver a bromine disinfectant to water at a controlled rate.

 

Bromine - a chemical sanitizing agent that is not as effective as chlorine in normal conditions; and is not affected by heat and continues to disinfect after combining making it great for spas.

 

Certified swimming pool and spa operator - a person who has the qualifications and training to operate a public swimming pool.

 

Chemical feeder - a mechanical device used for applying chemicals to pool or spa water.

 

Change Order - written notification submitted to the Department on a DOH Swimming Pool Change Order Request Form detailing any proposed equipment changes or material alterations which do not conform to the original approved plans, specifications, or previously approved change order.

 

Child safety plan - a plan prepared annually by the owner or manager of a facility housing a spa.

 

Chloramine - a compound formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen or ammonia that causes eye and skin irritation and has a strong, objectionable odor.

 

Chlorination - the process of introducing chlorine to remove undesired contaminates and acts as a sanitizer, algaecide and strong oxidizer.

 

Chlorinator - a device used to apply or to deliver a chlorine disinfectant to water at a controlled rate.

 

Circulation equipment - the mechanical components that are part of a circulation system in a pool or spa. Circulation equipment includes but is not limited to categories of pumps, hair and lint strainers, filters, valves, gauges, meters, heaters, surface skimmers, inlet/outlet fittings and chemical feeding devices. The components have separate functions, but when connected to each other by piping, perform as a coordinated system for purposes of maintaining pool or spa water in a clear, sanitary and desirable condition.

 

Circulation system - an arrangement of mechanical equipment or components, connected by piping to a pool or spa in a closed circuit. The function of a circulation system is to direct water from the pool or spa, causing it to flow through the various system components for purposes of clarifying, heating, purifying and returning the water back to the original body of water.

 

Clarifier - a chemical that coagulates and neutralizes suspended particles in water. There are two (2) types: inorganic salts of aluminum or iron and water-soluble organic polyelectrolyte polymers, also called coagulant or flocculent.

 

Closed pool - a pool which is not to be used by bathers and is posted with a pool closed sign visible from the pool deck or is inaccessible.

 

Coliform - a group of naturally-occurring bacteria that are present in all surface water and are in the intestinal tract of human and other warm-blooded animals. The presence of coliforms in a pool or spa indicates possible deficiencies in chlorine residuals, water clarity, filter backwashing or cleaning, pool cleanliness, swimmer adherence to showering rules and/or proper sample collection technique.

 

Commission - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

 

Competition pool - a pool designed to be routinely used to host organized swim competitions such as those sponsored by colleges, universities, swim leagues, and swim clubs.

 

Critical item - a provision of these regulations that, if in noncompliance, is more likely than other violations to serve as a vector for a waterborne illness, or an environmental health hazard. A critical item is denoted with an asterisk (*).

 

Critical limit - the maximum or minimum value to which a physical, biological, or chemical parameter must be controlled at a critical control point to prevent, eliminate or reduce to an acceptable level the occurrence of a waterborne illness, or an environmental health hazard.

 

Critical violation - a condition or practice that violates these regulations and results in a waterborne illness, or endangers the public health, safety, or welfare.

 

Cyanuric - a chemical that helps reduce the excess loss of chlorine in water due to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is also called stabilizer, isocyanuric acid conditioner or triazinetrione.

 

Dark - a Munsell Color Value from zero (0) to four (4).

 

Decks - those areas immediately adjacent to or attached to a pool or spa that are specifically constructed or installed for use by users sitting, standing or walking.

 

Deep areas - water depths in excess of five feet (5 ft.)(1.42 m).

 

Department - Department of Health.

 

D.E. - the Diatomaceous Earth that is used as a filter aid in DE type filters, including alternative filter aids that have been approved under NSF / ANSI Standard 50-2007, and accepted by the filter manufacturer.

 

Disinfectant - energy or chemicals used to kill undesirable or pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms that have a measurable residual at a level adequate to make the desired kill.

 

Diving board - a recreational mechanism for entering a swimming pool, consisting of a semi-rigid board that derives its elasticity through the use of a fulcrum mounted below the board.

 

Duckboard - a boardwalk laid across a muddy ground or flooring; made of non-porous easily cleanable material when used in pool and showers areas, and locker rooms.

 

Effective barrier - a barrier which consists of a building, or equivalent structure, plus a 48 inch minimum height fence on the remaining sides or a continuous 48 inch minimum height fence. All access through the barrier shall have (1) one or more of the following safety features: alarm, key lock or self-locking doors and gates. Safety covers that comply with the American Society for Testing Materials standard F2387 may also be considered as an effective barrier.

 

Emergency equipment - a backboard with straps, two (2) blankets, cervical collars in adult and infant sizes or a commercial head immobilizer.

 

First aid kit - a water resistant, clearly labeled, latched container providing sufficient first-aid equipment to treat up to fifteen (15) people. The kit shall contain as a minimum: alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, assorted adhesive bandages, a breathing barrier, a cold pack, gauze, and disposable gloves.

 

Hose bibb - any connection to a potable water supply.

 

Imminent health hazard - a significant threat or danger to health that is considered to exist when there is evidence sufficient to show that a product, practice, circumstance, or event creates a situation that requires immediate correction or cessation of operations to prevent injury based on the number of potential injuries, and the nature, severity and duration of the anticipated injury.

 

Inaccessible - enclosed by an effective barrier.

 

Jump board - a recreational mechanism that has a coil spring, leaf spring or comparable device located beneath the board which is activated by the force exerted in jumping on the board.

 

Lifeguard - a person having the qualifications of and possessing a current American Red Cross, YMCA, or equivalent Lifeguard Certification, current First Aid Certificate and current CPR (which includes adult, child, and infant) Certificate and is responsible for the safety of the users of a public swimming pool.

 

Main drain - a submerged suction outlet typically located at the bottom of a pool or spa to conduct water to a re-circulating pump.

 

Marking or Markings - the placement and installation of visual marking cues to help patrons identify step, bench and swimout outlines, slope break location, depth designations, and NO ENTRY and NO DIVING warnings. When markings are specified to be dark the term "dark" shall have the meaning defined in this Regulation.

 

Membrane filter test - a swap sample taken from any hard surface.

 

Modification - any act which changes or alters the original characteristics of the pool as approved. For example, changes in the recirculation systems, decking, treatment systems, disinfection system, and pool shape are modifications.

 

N,N-Diethyl-p-Phenylenediamie (DPD) - pH indicator in liquid or tablet form is the most common chlorine/bromine testing reagent; the indicator turns pink in the presence of disinfectant residual and the pinker the sample, the higher the chlorine/bromine reading.

 

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) - a means of measuring water clarity.

 

Owner - the owner of the facility or his/her designated agent such as a property manager or on-site representative.

 

Oxidation - reduction potential controller (ORP) - device used to measure sanitizer effectiveness and to control ozone generators, chlorine generators, and ionizers (in combination with chlorine). ORP is the only practical method to electronically monitor sanitizer effectiveness.

 

Pool turnover - the circulation of the entire pool volume through the filter system.

 

Precoat pot - a container with a valved connection to the suction side of the recirculation pump of a pressure diatomaceous earth (D.E.) type filter system used for coating the filter with D.E. powder or NSF / ANSI Standard 50-2007 and manufacturer approved substitute filter aid.

 

Private swimming pool or spa pool - any swimming pool or spa pool built in conjunction with a single family residence used or intended to be used solely by the owner or lessee, and the owner's or lessee's immediate family and guests invited to use it without payment of a fee.

 

Public swimming pool or spa pool - any swimming pool or spa pool, other than a private residential swimming pool or spa pool which is intended to be used collectively by numbers of persons and operated by any person, whether as owner, lessee, operator or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for such use, including but not limited to, tourist establishment swimming pools or spa pools, tub baths, saunas and steam baths, swimming pools or spa pools owned or operated by an apartment, condominium, cooperative, or other tenant or ownership group, private club or association of persons, or any association of persons; or pools operated by or serving camps, churches, adult or child day care centers, assisted living facilities, group home facilities, health spas, institutions, parks, District government agencies, or schools.

 

Quaternary ammonium (quats) - a compound derived from ammonium with hydrogen atoms replaced by organic groups; used as surface-active agent and disinfectant.

 

Recirculation system - a system consisting of pumps, motors, piping, filters, inlets, outlets, disinfecting and other water conditioning equipment and necessary accessories.

 

Return - pool water that is going back into the filtration system and chemical feeding cycle, usually from the gutters, skimmer or return lines.

 

Safety vacuum release system - a vacuum release system capable of providing vacuum release at a suction outlet caused by a high vacuum occurrence due to a suction outlet flow blockage.

 

Sauna - the application of water vapor.

 

Scum gutter - overflow line along the sides of the pool that takes water to the return lines in the filtration system.

 

Shallow end of pool - the portion of the pool with water depths of four feet (4 ft.) or less.

 

Shepherd's hook - a twelve foot (12 ft.) pole with a loop on the end to grasp a person in the water who is in distress without entering the water.

 

Ship's ladder - the entry and exit ladders found on the pool sides and ends.

 

Showers - baths where the bather's body is sprayed with a fine stream of water from small jets.

 

Skimmer or surface skimmer - overflow water line that traps debris in the weir basket and returns the water to the filtration system for treatment.

 

Slip resistant - having a textured surface which is not conducive to slipping under contact of bare feet unlike glazed tile or masonry terrazzo and non-textured plastic materials. Manufactured surface products shall be designed by the manufacturer as suitable for walking surfaces in wet areas. Minimum acceptable static coefficient of friction to determine slip resistance is 0.7 on horizontal wet walking surfaces in the pool and for the wet deck area.

 

Spa operator - any person in possession of a valid District of Columbia spa operator's permit who is directly responsible for the operation of a public spa.

 

Spa pool - a pool used in conjunction with high velocity air or water directed onto a bather's body with the intent of producing relaxed or therapeutic effects.

 

Special purpose pool - a public pool used exclusively for a specific supervised purpose, including springboard or platform diving training, SCUBA diving instruction, and aquatic programs for handicapped individuals, pre-school or kindergarten children.

 

Spray pool (spray deck or wet deck) - an artificial structure used to impound water either above or below the ground surface into which treated water is sprayed and recirculated.

 

Stationary diving platform - stationary diving platforms are used for diving and are constructed or located on site, and may be natural or artificial rocks, pedestals or other items.

 

Steam bath - the application of water vapor.

 

Swimming instructor - person who offers progressive swimming instruction.

 

Swimming pool - any artificial structure, basin, chamber, or tank, either above or below ground, including hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and non-portable wading pools, which is used or intended to be used for the primary purpose of swimming, diving, wading, or recreational bathing and including all appurtenant equipment, structures, and facilities located within a common enclosure.

 

Swimming pool and spa operator - any person in possession of a valid District of Columbia swimming pool operator's permit issued by the Mayor and who is directly responsible for the operations of a public swimming pool.

 

Swim spa - a pool used in conjunction with a directional flow of water against which one swims.

 

Turnover time - the period of time (usually hours) required to circulate the complete volume of water in a pool through the recirculation system.

 

Unblockable drain - a drain of any size and shape that a human body cannot sufficiently block to create a suction entrapment hazard.

 

Vacuum breakers - a plumbing device that prevents the pool's recirculation pumps from being damaged by shutting the system down when there is a drop in air pressure.

 

Wading pool - a shallow pool designed to be used by children.

 

Water active pool - a water recreation attraction which has water related activities such as rope ladders, rope swings, cargo nets and other similar activities.

 

Water Ionizer - an appliance that filters and converts water into ions; separates water into an alkaline fraction and an acid fraction by exploiting the electric charge of the calcium and magnesium ions present in nearly all sources of drinking water. In the case of water chemistry sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach) is converted into hypochlorous acid, the active sanitizing agent in pool water.

 

Water recreation attraction - a facility with design and operational features that provide patron recreational activity and purposefully involves immersion of the body partially or totally in the water. Water recreation attractions include water slides, water activity pools, interactive water features, wave pools and any additional pool within the boundaries of the attraction.

 

Water-safe - a bather who is able to swim and capable of exercising proper judgment in taking action for self-preservation under emergency conditions.

 

Water therapy facilities - pools used exclusively for water therapy to treat a diagnosed injury, illness, or medical condition, wherein the medical treatment or physical therapy is provided under the direct supervision of medical personnel licensed pursuant to the Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985 Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 23, 1995, (DC Law 10-247; D.C. Official Regulation § 3-1205.01) (2006 Suppl.); and the prescribing physician authorizes a plan of treatment justifying use of a pool for health care purposes.

 

Weir - baskets found at the skimmer line that traps and prevents debris from entering the filtration system in the return lines which could damage the pumps or obstruct the filters.

 

Wet deck area - the four foot wide unobstructed pool deck area around the outside of the pool water perimeter, curb, ladders, handrails, diving boards, diving towers, pool slides, waterfalls, water features, starting blocks, planters, or lifeguard chairs.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 012845 (December 26, 2008).