§ 5-31. Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter.

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

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

Air induction system means a system whereby a volume of air (only) is induced into a hollow ducting in a spa floor, bench, or other location. The air induction system is activated by a separate air power blower.

Air pump assist backwash means the compressing of a volume of air in the filter effluent chamber (by means of an air compressor or by the water pressure from the recirculating pump) which, when released, rapidly decompresses and forces water in the filter chamber through the elements in reverse, dislodging the filter aid and accumulated dirt, carrying it to waste.

Alkalinity means the amount of bicarbonate, carbonate or hydroxide compounds present in water solution. See also "Total alkalinity."

Backwash means the process of thoroughly cleansing the filter medium and/or elements and the contents of the filter vessel by the reverse flow of water through the filter.

Barrier means 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, spa or recreational water park.

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

Bather load means the number of persons in the pool/spa area at any given moment or during any stated period of time.

Beginner's area means those water areas in pools which are three feet or less in water depth.

Booster pump system means a system whereby one (1) or more hydrotherapy jets are activated by the use of a pump which is completely independent of the filtration and heating system of a spa. Also, a device used to provide hydraulic support for certain types of equipment such as cleaning systems, gas chlorinators and solar systems.

Breakpoint chlorination means the addition of a sufficient amount of chlorine to water to destroy the combined chlorine present. (See Super-chlorination)

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

Cartridge means a depth, pleated, or surface-type filter component with fixed dimensions that is designed to remove suspended particles from water flowing through the filter.

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

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

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

Chlorine generator means equipment that generates chlorine, hypochlorous acid, or hypochlorite on site for disinfection and oxidation of water contaminants.

Circulation equipment means the mechanical components that are part of a circulation system in a pool or spa. Circulation equipment may be, 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 for using.

Circulation system means 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 means a chemical that coagulates and neutralizes suspended particles in water. There are two types: inorganic salts of aluminum or iron and water-soluble organic polyelectrolyte polymers. Also called coagulant or flocculent.

Contact concentration means the concentration of a chemical in a flow of water. This concentration depends on the rate of addition, the flow rate of the water and the efficiency of the mixing. It is calculated using the equation (assumes complete mixing): Amount of Chemical (grams/hour)/Water Flow Rate (gpm) × 4.41 = Contact Concentration (mg/L).

Coping means the cap on the pool or spa wall that provides a finishing edge around the pool or spa. Can be formed, cast in place or pre-cast, or pre-fabricated from metal or plastic materials.

Cove means the radius between the pool or spa wall and the pool or spa floor.

Covers means something that protects or shelters or a combination thereof, a swimming pool or spa.

Cyanuric acid means 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.

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

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

Department means the Department of Human Resources, State of Georgia.

Diatomite means the filtering medium of a diatomaceous earth filter composed of microscopic fossil skeletons of the "diatom," a tiny freshwater marine plankton.

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

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

(1)

Jump board means 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.

(2)

Stationary diving platform is a diving platform used for diving and is constructed or located on site. It may be natural or artificial rocks, pedestals or other items.

DPD (Diethyl-p-phenylene diamine) means a reagent and test method that specifically measures bromine or free available and total chlorine; producing a series of colors from pale pink to dark red.

Effective filter area means total surface area through which the designed flow rate will be maintained during filtration.

Effluent means the water that flows out of a filter, pump or other device.

Feet of head means a basis for indicating the resistance in a hydraulic system, equivalent to the height of a column of water that would cause the same resistance. (One hundred (100) feet of head equals forty-three (43) pounds per square inch).

Filter means a device that removes undissolved particles from water by recirculating the water through a porous substance (a filter medium or element).

Filter element means a device within a filter tank designed to entrap solids and conduct water to a manifold, collection header, pipe, or similar conduit and return it to the pool or spa. A filter element usually consists of a septum and septum support, or a cartridge.

Free available chlorine (FAC) means that portion of the total chlorine remaining in chlorinated water that has not combined with ammonia or nitrogen compounds and will react chemically with undesirable or pathogenic organisms.

Handhold/handrail means a device that can be gripped by a user for the purpose of resting and/or steadying him/herself. It is not limited to but may be located inside or outside the pool or spa or as part of a set of steps or deck-installed equipment.

Hardness means the amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in water; measured by a test kit and expressed as parts per million (ppm) of equivalent calcium carbonate.

Health authority means the Georgia Department of Human Resources Environmental Health Section or the County Board of Health Environmental Health Office; whoever has immediate jurisdiction.

Hydrotherapy spa means a unit that may have a therapeutic use but which is not drained, cleaned or refilled for each individual. It may include, but not be limited to, hydrotherapy jet circulation, hot water/cold water mineral baths, air induction bubbles or any combination thereof. Industry terminology for a spa includes, but is not limited to, "therapeutic pool," "hydrotherapy pool," "whirlpool, "hot spa," etc.

Influent means the water entering a filter or other device.

Multiple filter-control valve means a multiport valve having a number of control positions for various filter operations that combines in one (1) unit the function of two (2) or more single valves.

Nonswimming area means any portion of a pool where water depth, offset ledges or similar irregularities would prevent normal swimming activities.

Organic matter means perspiration, urine, saliva, suntan oil, cosmetics, lotions, dead skin and similar debris introduced to water by users and the environment.

Orthotolidine (OTO) means an colorless reagent that reacts with chlorine or bromine to produce a series of yellow-to-orange colors which indicate the amount of chlorine or bromine in water.

Overflow system means a system for the removal of pool/spa surface water through the use of overflows, surface skimmers and surface water collection systems of various design and manufacture.

pH means a value expressing the relative acidity or basicity of a substance, such as water, as indicated by the hydrogen ion concentration.

Pool means any artificial water holding structure with a closed-loop circulation of water through a water treatment system with a return to the structure.

(1)

Private pool means any constructed pool, permanent or nonportable, that is intended for noncommercial use as a swimming pool by not more than one (1) owner family and their guests and that is over twenty-four (24) inches in depth, has a surface area exceeding two hundred fifty (250) square feet and/or a volume over three thousand two hundred fifty (3,250) gallons.

(2)

Public swimming pool means any structure, chamber, or tank containing an artificial body of water used by the public for swimming, diving, wading, recreation, or therapy, together with buildings, appurtenances, and equipment used in connection with the body of water, regardless of whether a fee is charged for its use. The term includes municipal, school, hotel, or motel pools and any pool to which access is granted in exchange for payment of a daily fee. The term shall also include pools and spas operated by or serving camps, churches, day care centers, group home facilities of twelve or more clients, institutions, parks, state agencies, apartment complexes, subdivisions, condominiums, country clubs, mobile home parks, recreational vehicle parks, associations, health clubs, special purpose pools, and recreational water park attractions.

(3)

Therapeutic pool means a pool used in physical programs operated by medical facilities licensed by the department and operated by a licensed physical therapist.

(4)

Permanently installed swimming pool means a pool that is constructed in the ground or in a building in such a manner that it cannot be readily disassembled for storage.

(5)

Inground swimming pool means any pool where the sides rest in partial or full contact with the earth.

Potable water means any water, such as an approved domestic water supply, which is bacteriologically safe and otherwise suitable for drinking.

PPM means an abbreviation for parts per million. The unit of measurement used in chemical testing which indicates the parts by weight in relation to one million parts by weight of water. It is essentially identical to the term milligrams per liter (mg/L).

Precipitate means a solid material which is forced out of a solution by some chemical reaction and which may settle out or remain as a haze in suspension (turbidity).

PSI means an abbreviation for pounds per square inch.

Rate of flow means the quantity of water flowing past a designated point within a specified time, such as the number of gallons flowing in one minute (gpm).

Rated pressure means that pressure that is equal to or less than the designed pressure and appears on the data plate of the equipment.

Recreational water parks means a facility or area together with associated buildings, appurtenances and equipment, that is designated for public bathing or swimming.

Rehabilitation means the activity of restoring all or part of a pool or spa structure and its component parts back into good condition including the rebuilding and/or replacing of worn and broken parts or components.

Removable means capable of being disassembled with the use of only simple tools such as a screwdriver, pliers or wrench.

Return inlet means the aperture or fitting through which the water under positive pressure returns into a pool or spa.

Return piping means that piping through which water is returned to the pool.

Ring buoy means a ring-shaped floating buoy capable of supporting a user.

Shallow areas means portions of a pool or spa with water depths five (5) feet or less.

Shock treatment means the practice of adding significant amounts of an oxidizing chemical to water to destroy ammonia and nitrogenous and organic contaminants in water.

Skimmer weir means the part of a skimmer which adjusts automatically to small changes in water level to assure a continuous flow of water to the skimmer.

Slip resisting means a surface that has been treated or constructed so as to significantly reduce the chance of a user slipping. The surface should not be an abrasion hazard.

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) means a clear liquid form of an inorganic chlorine compound obtainable in concentrations of five (5) to sixteen (16) percent available chlorine.

Spa means a hydrotherapy pool of irregular or geometric shell design. (See also Hydrotherapy spa.)

Special purpose pool means any pool operated for recreational play and other special purposes, including, but not limited to, wave or surf-action pools, activity pools/interactive pools, wading pools and play areas. These include, but are not limited to the following:

(1)

Activity/interactive/wading pool: A pool which does not exceed twenty-four (24) inches in depth and contains any number of water features within the pool area.

(2)

Continuous water course: A riding water course where ingress and egress is effectively limited to designated points of entry and exit. This is also known as a lazy river.

(3)

Dual use pool: A pool that is normally used as a swimming pool, but has no more than one (1) water slide or other feature other than diving boards, that uses the main body of water as its landing or activity area.

(4)

Falling-entry pools: This includes, but is not limited to slides, flumes, lilypad walks, log rolls, cable, rope, or boom drops and any other falling entry features. These types of pools allow for the bather to drop into the pool area from a height of one (1) to four (4) feet above the water surface and in various positions of entry.

(5)

Wading pool: A shallow pool not exceeding twenty-four (24) inches that is void of any water activity features.

(6)

Wave pool: This is a large body of water that has a mechanism for generating an oscillating wave-form at one end and ending at the other end with a zero-depth-entry.

(7)

Zero-depth-entry pools: This may be any type of pool that in place of a wall at one end, may have a sloping edge or beach.

(8)

Zero-depth-pool: A pad which contains various fountains and/or interactive water spray or waterfall features. The pad slopes to one (1) or more drains which empties into a reservoir which is recirculated and disinfected before its return to the water features.

Suction outlet means the aperture or fitting through which the water under negative pressure is drawn from the pool or spa.

Suction piping means that piping through which water is removed from the pool.

Surface skimming system means perimeter-type overflows, surface skimmers and surface water collection systems of various design and manufacture which permit the continuous removal of floating debris and surface water to the filter.

Test kit means a device used to monitor specific chemical or agent residual or demands in pool or spa water.

Time clock means a mechanical device that automatically controls the periods that a pump, filter, chlorinator, heater, blower and other electrical devices are running.

Total alkalinity means the ability or capacity of water to resist change in pH; also known as the buffering capacity of water. Measured with a test kit and expressed as ppm.

Total available chlorine (TAC) means the sum of both the free available and combined chlorines.

Turbidity means the cloudy condition of water due to the presence of extremely fine particulate materials in suspension that interfere with the passage of light.

Turnover rate means the period of time (usually in hours) required to circulate a volume of water equal to the pool or spa capacity.

Vacuum means the reduction of atmospheric pressure within a pipe, tank, pump or other vessel. Vacuum is measured in inches of mercury. One (1) inch of mercury is equivalent to one and thirteen hundredths (1.13) feet of head. The practical maximum vacuum is thirty (30) inches of mercury or thirty-three and nine-tenths (33.9) feet of head.

Waterline. The waterline shall be defined in one of the following ways:

(1)

Skimmer system: The waterline shall be at the midpoint of the operating range of the skimmers when there are no users in the pool or spa.

(2)

Overflow system: The waterline shall be at the top of the overflow rim.

(Ord. No. 00-07, § 1, 11-28-00)