A. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein the following words or terms used in this Part of the sanitary code and all other Parts which are adopted or may be adopted, are defined for the purposes thereof as follows.
LSPC-Louisiana State Plumbing Code, i.e., Part XIV (Plumbing) of this Code (LAC 51:XIV).
Natural Swimming Place or Bathing Place-any area in any natural watercourse or body of water in which people are immersed, or partially immersed, for swimming, recreational bathing, sporting events, therapeutic treatment, ceremonies, or any other related activities.
Semi-Artificial Swimming Pool or Bathing Place or Bathing Beach-any area in any natural watercourse or body of water, the configuration of which has been altered by human construction, and in which people are immersed, or partially immersed, for swimming, recreational bathing, sporting events, ceremonies, therapeutic treatment, or any other related activities.
State Health Officer-the legally appointed and/or acting state health officer of the health authority having jurisdiction over the entire state of Louisiana, and includes his/her duly authorized representative, except where the context of these regulations or pertinent statutory language indicates the reference is to the state health officer acting personally. Should legislative action either change the term state health officer or transfer his/her authority, the successor shall assume the functions delegated to the state health officer in this sanitary code.
a. [Formerly paragraph 24:002] The state health officer has jurisdiction (for anything related to health) over the design, construction, and operation of all swimming pools (pools), water parks, and water slides, public or private, including, but not limited to, those owned by clubs, private schools, apartment houses, and condominiums.
b. [Formerly paragraph 24:003] No new swimming pool, water park or water slide shall hereafter be constructed nor shall major alterations be made to existing swimming pools, water parks, or water slides without the prior written approval of, and unless in accordance with plans and specifications approved in advance by, the state health officer. The approval may include certain provisions, which, if violated, may result in revocation of the approval.
a.Permanently Installed Swimming Pool-a pool that is constructed in the ground or in a building in such a manner that it cannot be readily disassembled for storage.
b.Residential Pool-a residential pool shall be defined as any constructed pool, permanent or non-portable, that is intended for noncommercial use as a swimming pool by not more than five owner families and their guests and that is over 24 inches in depth, has a surface area exceeding 250 square feet and/or a volume over 3,750 gallons. (Residential pools are excluded from the provisions of these regulations.)
c.Public Pool-any pool, other than a residential pool, which is intended to be used for swimming or bathing and is operated by owner, lessee, operator, licensee or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for use. References within the regulations to various types of public pools are defined by the following categories.
i.Class A: Competition Pool-any pool intended for use for accredited competitive aquatic events such as Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA), U.S. Swimming, U.S. Diving, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA), etc. The pool may be used for recreation.
ii.Class B: Public Pool-any pool intended for public recreational use.
iii.Class C: Semi-Public Pool-any pool operated solely for and in conjunction with lodgings such as hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, etc.
iv.Class D: Other Pool-any pool operated for medical treatment, therapy, exercise, lap swimming, recreational play, and other special purposes, including, but not limited to, wave or surf action pools, activity pools, splash pools, kiddie pools and play areas.
d.Ceremonial Pools-pools used for ceremonies and/or religious purposes - only. Size not to exceed 10 feet long x 5 feet wide x 5 feet deep and/or 2000 gallons. (Ceremonial pools are excluded from these regulations.)
e.Wading Pool-a pool that has a shallow depth, 24 inches or shallower, used for wading. (There are no requirements for residential wading pools.)
a.Skimmer System-the waterline shall be at the midpoint of the operating range of the skimmer when there are no users in the pool or spa.
b.Overflow System-the waterline shall be deemed to be that established by the height of the overflow rim.
Water Park-any indoor or outdoor area in any natural water course, body of water or manmade construction which shall include but not be limited to swimming pools, wave pools, water slides, flumes, plunge pools, flotation rides that include immersion or partial immersion with direct or indirect contact with the water (primary and secondary contact).
Water Slide-any slide or flume or group of slides or flumes upon which people and water descend simultaneously, and upon which the same water contacts the bodies of people. This includes the landing and/or recirculating pool at the bottom of the slide, the ascent path or stair, the departure platform or area at the top, and any ancillary health related facilities such as bath houses, dressing rooms, showers, and toilets.
La. Admin. Code tit. 51, § XXIV-103