Terms Defined. As used in this Chapter, the following terms
shall have these prescribed meanings:
AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM
A system whereby a volume of air is introduced into hollow
ducting in a spa floor, bench or walls. An air induction system is
activated by an air power blower and is separate from the water circulation
system.
ALTERATION
A modification of a public water recreation facility. The
term includes, but is not limited to, an alteration of a pool that
changes the depth or volume, addition of an appurtenance to a pool,
modification of the design of the recirculation system for a pool
or any addition, replacement or modification that modifies the original
engineered design as approved by the Department of Community Health
and the Environment.
ANSI
An abbreviation for American National Standards Institute.
APPROVAL
Compliance with the ordinance and this Chapter.
APPURTENANCE
An accessory facility or feature at a public water recreation
facility, such as a diving board, slide, plunge pool, spray pool or
bathhouse.
AQUATIC CENTER
Swimming pools, spray pools, wading pools, whirlpools, spas
and hot tubs, training-special use pools, flumes, waterslides, watercourse
rides and wave pools and other non-natural water recreation areas
not specifically exempted from the scope of this Chapter, together
with buildings, appurtenances and equipment required or used in connection
therewith.
AQUATIC UNIT
Those parts of an aquatic center that contain water such
as, but not limited to, swimming pools, spray pools, wading pools,
whirlpools, spas and hot tubs, training-special use pools, flumes,
waterslides, watercourse rides and wave pools and other non-natural
water recreation areas.
ASME
An abbreviation for American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
BACKWASH
The process of thoroughly cleaning a filter by reverse flow
of water through the filter.
BARRIER
A fence, wall, building or landscaping that obstructs access
to an aquatic center.
BATHER LOAD
The maximum number of persons that may be allowed in the
pool areas at one time without creating undue health or safety hazards.
CARTRIDGE FILTER
A depth, pleated or surface-type filter component with fixed
dimensions that is designed to remove suspended particles from water
flowing through the filter.
CLEAN
Free from slime, scum, dirt or other debris.
CONSTRUCTION
The process of building or remodeling a public water recreation
facility or appurtenance.
DECK
A hard surface immediately adjacent to or attached to an
aquatic unit that is designed for sitting, standing or walking.
DEEP AREA
An area of a swimming pool in which the water depth exceeds
five (5) feet.
DEPARTMENT
The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and
the Environment.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Department of Community Health and Environment
or his/her duly authorized agents.
DISCHARGE PIPING
The portion of the circulation system that carries water
from the filter back to the swimming pool or spa.
DIVING POOL
A pool designed and intended for use exclusively for diving.
DPD
An abbreviation for Diethyl-p-Phenylene Diamine. The indicator
usually is used in tablet or powder form which measures chlorine and
bromine levels in pool and spa water.
DROP SLIDE
A slide with an exit angle exceeding eleven degrees (11°)
measured downward from the horizontal.
FILL AND DRAW POOL
An aquatic unit where the principal means of cleaning is
the complete removal of the used water and the replacement thereof
with potable water.
FILTRATION RATE
The rate of water flowing through a filter during the filter
cycle expressed in gallons per minute per square foot of effective
filter area.
FITNESS CENTER
An operation that serves as an exercise establishment such
as a gym, weight gym, aerobic center, wrestling room, martial arts
or those facilities deemed by the Director falling into the definition
of "FLOOR SLOPE".
FLOOR SLOPE
A location in a pool where there is an abrupt change in floor
slope or a location on a pool floor where an area having a floor slope
of no more than one (1) foot vertical in twelve (12) feet horizontal
adjoins an area having a greater floor slope, with the floor slope
increasing in the direction of increasing water depth.
FLUME
The inclined channel of a slide.
FREEBOARD
That section of the pool wall measured vertically between
the water surface and the walkway or deck surface.
GPM
An abbreviation for gallons per minute.
HOSE BIBB
A faucet with a threaded nozzle to which a hose may be attached.
HYDROTHERAPY JET
A fitting that blends water and air and creates a high velocity
turbulent stream of air-enriched water for injection into a spa.
INLET
An opening or fitting through which filtered water enters
the pool.
MAIN DRAIN
An outlet(s) in the floor of an aquatic unit.
MAKE-UP WATER
Fresh water used to fill or refill an aquatic unit.
MANAGER
See definition of "OPERATOR".
MAXIMUM BATHING LOAD
The design capacity or maximum number of users that an aquatic
unit is designed to hold.
NCAA
An abbreviation for National Collegiate Athletic Association.
NFSHSA
An abbreviation for National Federation of State High School
Associations.
OPERATE
To conduct, maintain or otherwise provide facilities and
appurtenances at aquatic or recreational facilities.
OPERATOR
The person or entity responsible for the actual daily operation
or for the supervision of the operation of an aquatic or recreational
facility.
OVERFLOW SYSTEM
Includes gutters and other rim type overflows, surface skimmers
and collection systems of various designs and manufacture.
PERIMETER OVERFLOW SYSTEM
A channel normally extending completely around the pool used
to skim the surface layer of water, also known as an overflow gutter.
PERMIT
A certificate issued by the department allowing the operation,
construction, development or alteration of an aquatic or recreational
facility.
PERMIT HOLDER
The entity that:
1.
Is legally responsible for the operation of the aquatic center
such as the owner, the owner's agent or other person; and
2.
Possesses a valid permit to operate an aquatic or recreational
facility.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association
or other organization authorized by law.
pH
Indicates the degree of acidity or alkalinity of water. The
pH scale is from zero (0) to fourteen (14) with pH seven (7.0) being
the neutral point, i.e., water with pH of seven (7.0) is neither acid
nor alkaline and it is neutral. Above pH seven (7.0) the water is
alkaline and below pH seven (7.0) it is acidic.
PLUNGE AREA
A location in a pool or bathing beach at the exit of a slide
or the area in a pool below and in front of a diving board or platform.
PLUNGE POOL
A pool designed for and used exclusively as a plunge area
for one (1) or more slides.
POOL
See definition of "SWIMMING POOL".
POOL DECK
A walkway surrounding an aquatic unit, which is specifically
constructed or installed for use by bathers.
POOL DEPTH
The vertical distance between the pool floor and the water
level.
PPM
An abbreviation for parts per million.
PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL
A pool operated by an individual for his own or his family's
use or for guests of his household or by an owner to serve a housing
group consisting of no more than three (3) living units. Private pools
are exempt from these regulations.
PUBLIC AQUATIC CENTER
An aquatic center that is open to the public with or without
a fee, including a center that is operated by a community, municipality,
political subdivision, school district, university, college or a commercial
establishment whose primary business is the operation of an aquatic
center.
RECESSED TREADS
A series of vertically spaced, preformed stepholes in a swimming
pool wall.
RECIRCULATION PIPING
The piping from the pool to the filters and back to the pool
through which the pool water circulates.
RESURFACING
Any alteration that is greater than ten percent (10%) of
the pool interior surface. This shall include, but not be limited
to, plastering, painting, tiling, application of pebble type finish,
fiberglass or any other approved alternative surface.
RETURN INLET
An aperture or fitting through which filtered water returns
to a swimming pool or spa.
RETURN LINE
That portion of the recirculating system piping which carries
clean water from the filter back to the swimming pool.
ROPE AND FLOAT LINE
A continuous line not less than three-quarter (¾)
inch in diameter that is supported by buoys and attached to opposite
sides of a swimming pool to separate areas of the swimming pool.
SAFETY VACUUM RELEASE DEVICE
A device that has been designed to prevent bather entrapment
on a suction fitting in a pool by immediately admitting air into the
suction piping or by de-energizing the pump upon sensing an increase
in vacuum in the suction pipe.
SANITARY FACILITIES
A designated area that includes a toilet and sink and may
include a shower or urinal.
SCUM
A film that forms on the surface of water.
SECCHI DISK
Refers to a two hundred (200) mm circular plate which has
opposite quarters painted gloss white and black.
SEMI-PUBLIC AQUATIC CENTER
An aquatic center operated only for:
1.
Occupants of temporary lodgings; or
2.
Residents of residential communities and (if applicable) their
guests; or
3.
Members of clubs or organizations and (if applicable) their
guests.
SERVICE ANIMAL
An animal such as a guide dog, signal dog or other animal
individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a
disability.
SHALLOW AREA
An area in a pool in which the water depth does not exceed
three (3) feet at any point.
SHOCK TREATMENT
Adding chlorine to water in an amount sufficient to destroy
ammonia, nitrogenous and organic contaminants in the water by elevating
the free chlorine residual to a level ten (10) times the combined
chlorine reading in parts per million.
SKIMMER
A mechanical device connected to the recirculation piping
which is used to skim the pool surface.
SLIDE
A recreational feature. Including a water slide or drop slide
or drop slide with a smooth, inclined flume or channel by which a
rider is conveyed downward to a plunge area.
SLIME
A glutinous or viscous liquid matter.
SLIP-RESISTANT
A surface that has a static coefficient of friction (wet
or dry) of at least one-half (0.50).
SPA
An artificial basin, chamber or tank of irregular or geometric
shell design that is intended only for bathing or soaking and that
is not drained, cleaned or refilled for each user. A spa may include
features such as hydrotherapy jet circulation, hot water, cold water,
mineral baths or an air induction system. Industry terminology includes
"hydrotherapy pool", "whirlpool", "hot tub" and "therapy pool".
SPECIAL USE POOL
A swimming pool intended for competitive aquatic events,
aquatic exercise or lap swimming. A special use pool includes a wave
action pool, exit pool for a water slide, swimming pool that is part
of an attraction at a water recreation park, water volleyball pool
or a swimming pool with special features used for training and instruction.
SPRAY POOL
An artificially constructed area over which water is sprayed
but is not allowed to pool.
SUCTION GRATE
A cover for a suction outlet that is flat, normally having
a regular and uniform pattern of openings for passage of water. The
term does not refer to an anti-vortex cover.
SUCTION OUTLET
The aperture or fitting through which water is withdrawn
from a swimming pool or spa.
SWIMMING POOL
An artificial basin, chamber or tank constructed and used
or intended to be used for swimming, diving or bathing. An aquatic
unit less than two (2) acres (eighty-seven thousand one hundred twenty
(87,120) square feet) shall meet the criteria for swimming pools.
TOTAL ALKALINITY
The measurements of the carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides
in the water which, if insufficient, may cause the pH to be unstable
and produce corrosive conditions. Conversely, if the total alkalinity
is too high, scale could be formed.
TURNOVER RATE
The number of hours required to circulate a volume of water
equal to the capacity of the swimming pool or spa.
WADING POOL
Any swimming pool used or designed to be primarily used for
wading by children and having a maximum depth of eighteen (18) inches.
WATER LEVEL
The level of the overflow lip of a perimeter overflow system
or the mid-level of the skimmer operating range.
WATER SLIDE
A water recreation attraction having one (1) or more flumes.
WAVE POOL
A swimming pool designed for the purpose of producing wave
action in the water.
WHIRLPOOL, SPA AND HOT TUB
An artificial basin, chamber or tank of irregular or geometric
shell design that is intended only for bathing or soaking and that
is not drained, cleaned or refilled for each user. A spa may include
features such as hydrotherapy jet circulation, hot water, cold water,
mineral baths or an air induction system. Industry terminology includes
"hydrotherapy pool", "whirlpool", "hot tub" and "therapy pool".
ZERO DEPTH ENTRY POOL
A swimming pool where the pool floor intersects the water
surface along a portion of its perimeter.