S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-51.A

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Section 61-51.A - DEFINITIONS

1. "Alteration" means any change in equipment or materials used in the construction of a public swimming pool, after completion which does not conform to the original, permitted plans, specifications, and change orders. Alterations include, but are not limited to, such items as pool or deck resurfacing, painting, equipment changes, and structural additions or deletions.

2. "ASSE" means the American Society of Sanitary Engineering.

3. "Attendant" means a person, 16 years of age or older, who supervises or controls the entrance, exit or other activities of pool patrons. An attendant may not act as a lifeguard.

4. "Automatic Controller" means integrated electrical/electronic equipment, connected to chemical feed equipment, to continuously monitor and control the pH level and chlorine/bromine (O.R.P method or other method acceptable to the Department) residual of swimming pool water.

5. "Bulk Storage" means any chemical storage container greater than fifteen (15) gallons of liquid, or solid chemical greater than the maximum capacity of the feeder.

6. "Certified Public Pool Operator" means someone who holds a valid South Carolina Pool Operator Certificate from a party approved by the Department.

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

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

9. "Coping" means the covering which joins the top of the pool wall with the pool decking and is considered part of the minimum pool deck width requirement. If cantilevered deck is employed, the last twelve (12) inches of this deck next to the pool wall shall be considered coping.

10. "Contiguous" means within a one (1) foot horizontal distance.

11. "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

12. "Diatomaceous Earth" is a type of filter media that is obtained from the fossil remains of microscopic marine plants and is used in a thin coating over filter septa or bags.

13. "Disinfection Equipment" means any device used to supply approved disinfectants to the pool water.

14. "Elevated Structure" means any structure located within a ten (10) foot horizontal distance from the pool edge, which is intended for patron access, and may unintentionally serve as a raised platform for diving or jumping into a pool. This includes, but is not limited to elevated walkways, stairs and landings, balconies, or any construction which is interpreted by the Department as a structure intended for use by patrons that could be used for diving or jumping into a pool. This does not include pool equipment designed for, and approved by the department to be used for diving or jumping into a pool.

15. "Emergency Equipment" means a backboard with straps, two (2) blankets, cervical collars in adult and infant sizes or a commercial head immobilizer.

16. "Filter" means any apparatus containing filter media which is intended to physically remove suspended particles from pool water.

17. "Filter Backwash Piping" means the piping which extends from the backwash outlet of the filter to its terminus at the point of disposal.

18. "Filter Media" means the fine material which entraps the suspended particles as the water passes through the filter.

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

20. "Flow Meter" means a device installed on the pool return pipe (discharge line from filter) to indicate recirculation flow of the pool in gallons per minute (gpm).

21. "gpm" means gallons per minute.

22. "Hand feeding" means the dispensing of any pool chemical manually into the pool.

23. "Heater" means a device through which pool water is circulated to increase the temperature of the water which is specifically designed for pool or spa use.

24. "Hose Bibb" means water faucet with male screw threads to which a hose is attached.

25. "Hybrid Pool" means any pool that has multiple intended use zones such as kiddie play zones, slide landing zones, lazy river zones, and swim zones.

26. "Hydrostatic Relief Valve" means a device, usually installed in the main drains, used to relieve ground water pressure imposed on the outer shell of the pool.

27. "Kiddie Play Park" means wading (kiddie) or spray pools intended to be used exclusively by children where climb-on toys and attractions are provided.

28. "Lifeguard" means a person having the qualifications of and possessing a current American Red Cross, YMCA, or equivalent Lifeguard Certificate, current First Aid Certificate and current CPR (which includes adult, child, and infant) Certificate.

29. "Lifeline Anchors" means the devices recessed in the wall of the pool at the transition point between shallow and deep areas.

30. "Life Saving Equipment Unit" means a coast guard approved ring buoy at least twenty (20) inches in diameter attached to a throwing line having a length of one and one-half (1 1/2) times the width of the pool up to a fifty (50) feet maximum length of rope and a life hook of the shepherd's crook style with minimum twelve (12) foot handle attached with stainless steel nut and bolt. For Type "A" and "E" pools a rescue tube may be used in place of a shepherd's crook and life ring.

31. "Main Body of the Pool" means the major portion of the pool body excluding any recesses, niches, coves, etc.

32. "Main Drain" means the outlet(s) at the bottom of the pool. These outlets are suction/gravity outlets connected to the recirculation piping.

33. "Main Drain Piping" means the piping connecting the main drain to either the pump suction, surge tank, or the vacuum filter.

34. "Major Fraction" means twenty-five percent (25%) or more.

35. "Minimum Flow Rate" means the least flow of water through the water treatment system that must be maintained to provide adequate treatment and is calculated by dividing the volume of the pool, in gallons, by the required turnover time, in minutes (gallons/minutes).

36. "Normal Operating Level" means the water level at one-half (1/2) the skimmer throat depth or at the gutter lip.

37. "Non-Slip" means having a coefficient of friction of 0.6 or greater when wetted for manufactured tile; or broom finish or other textured finish for concrete as recognized by the American Concrete Institute; or for other surfaces, incorporated features designed to prevent slippage.

38. "Obstruction" means any structure or object which blocks or limits access to the perimeter area of the pool. This includes but is not limited to planters, walls, water features, pillars, etc.

39. "Overflow Gutter" means a device at the normal water level which is used as an overflow and to skim the pool surface, in lieu of a surface skimmer.

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

41. "Pool Area" means any area located within the fenced perimeter of the pool to include but not limited to the pool deck. The pool deck will define this area for facilities which do not have a perimeter fence. Where a fence is not required the pool area will include but not be limited to the pool deck.

42. "Pool Deck" means the paved area around the pool which is specifically constructed for use by swimmers.

43. "Pool Depth" means the distance between the floor of the pool and the normal operating level when the pool is in use.

44. "Portable Kiddie Slide" means a single flume slide with a starting height no greater than five (5) feet above the deck, made as a complete unit by a single manufacturer, and intended for use by children, which may be moved when not in use.

45. "Public Swimming Pool or pool" means an artificial structure either above or below the ground surface to provide for such recreational uses as bathing, swimming, diving, wading, spraying, sliding, floating, rafting, or other similar usage which is not built in connection with a single family residence, or duplex (two living units within a single structure) and the use of which is not confined to the family of the residence and their private guests, or which is not owned, constructed, operated, or maintained by a church, synagogue, or religious organization, or facility exempted under Title 45, Chapter 4, of the South Carolina Bed and Breakfast Act. Public swimming pools are listed in the following categories based upon specific characteristics of size, usage, and other factors:

(a) Type "A" means any pool open to the general public, except for Type "E" pools, which does not require a membership or that a person be a guest of a member to gain entrance to the pool, or is not operated solely for and in conjunction with a residential development or a place of lodging.

(b) Type "B" means swimming pools at hotels, motels, apartments, mobile home parks, condominium developments, country clubs, schools, swim clubs, health clubs, campgrounds, subdivisions and other pools of similar usage. Lazy rivers constructed at the above facilities shall be considered Type "B" pools.

(c) Type "C" means wading pools, kiddie pools, spray pools, spray decks, or wet decks. Spray decks, splash pads, or wet decks that use water from a public water system, as defined by R.61-58 State Primary Drinking Water Regulations, and do not recirculate the water are exempt from these regulations.

(d) Type "D" means spa pools and hot tubs. Rehabilitation or therapy pools located at hospitals, sports therapy clinics, doctors offices, or other medical facilities which will be used solely for therapy and rehabilitation purposes and under the supervision of a physical therapist or other qualified medical personnel are excluded from this regulation.

(e) Type "E" means those pools at water parks such as water flumes, water slides, lazy rivers, wave parks, inner tube rides, kiddie play parks, etc. Type "E" also means pools at subdivisions that have a slide that is in use, or not able to be secured to prevent access when not in use. If the slide can be secured to prevent access when not in use, the pool may be open as a type "B" pool when the slide is not in operation and secured.

(f) Type "F" means special purpose pools used exclusively for limited activities such as scuba diving lessons, helmet diving lessons, underwater work training, or similar, limited uses.

(g) Type "G" means hybrid pool.

46. "Recirculation Piping" means the piping from the pool to the filter and return to the pool, through which the water circulates.

47. "Recirculation Pump" means the pump(s) that provide for complete recirculation of pool water through the recirculation piping and filter(s) at a prescribed rate of turnover.

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

49. "Residential Swimming Pool" means any privately owned swimming pool which is built in connection with a single family residence, the use of which shall be confined to the family of the owner and his guests, shall not include any type of cooperative housing or joint tenancy of two or more families, and shall be located within the same property boundary as the family dwelling building to which it serves. Pools constructed in conjunction with a single family rental unit will be considered a residential pool.

50. "Return Inlets" means the fittings or openings through which water is returned to the pool.

51. "Return Piping" means the piping which carries the filtered water under pressure from the filter to the pool.

52. "Shallow End of Pool" means the portion of the pool with water depths of four (4) feet or less.

53. "Spray Pool" or spray deck or wet deck means an artificial structure used to impound water either above or below the ground surface into which treated water is sprayed and recirculated.

54. "Surface Skimmer" means a device used to skim the pool over a self-adjusting weir.

55. "Surface Skimmer Piping" means the piping that carries water from the skimmer to the pump suction, to include the equalizer piping.

56. "Surge Tank" means an approved fixture or device of such material, shape, and capacity as to adequately receive the surge water from indirect or direct overflows, so constructed and located as to be easily cleaned.

57. "Technical Assistance Visit (TAV)" means a comprehensive on-site evaluation by the Department of a public pool to include pool area and associated equipment, operation and maintenance, and a review of current season inspections.

58. "Transition Point" means the point in a pool where the slope changes from one (1) ft. vertical to ten (10) ft. horizontal (1:10) maximum to one (1) ft. vertical to three (3) ft. horizontal (1:3) maximum. This point may separate the deep end from the shallow end.

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

60. "Vacuum Outlets" means the fitting in the pool which is used as an outlet for connecting the underwater suction cleaning equipment.

61. "Vacuum Piping" means the piping which connects the vacuum fitting to the pump suction.

62. "Vertical" is interpreted to permit poolside wall slopes not greater than one foot horizontal for each five feet of height of the poolside wall (79 degrees).

63. "Wading (Kiddie) Pool" means a pool intended to be used exclusively by children for wading.

64. "Water Course, Water Slides or Water Flumes" means any pool using a water flume, channel, or slide for purposes of sliding and landing in an area filled with water (this does not include commercially manufactured swimming pool sliding boards).

65. "Well-Point System" means perforated pipe(s) placed in a gravel pit under the deepest point of the pool, where a pump may be connected to remove excess ground water from beneath the pool.

66. "Zero Depth Entry Pool" means a pool with a starting water depth of zero (0) feet which uniformly slopes to a deeper water depth.

67. "Zone" means any pool use type as it relates to the intended use of a specific portion of a hybrid pool (kiddie play zones, slide landing zones, lazy river zones, and swim zones). Zone areas and volumes must be clearly delineated on the plans and specifications.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-51.A

Replaced and amended by State Register Volume 38, Issue No. 6, eff 6/27/2014.