SECTION 310:315-1-2. Definitions

  When used in this Chapter, the following words or terms shall have the following meaning unless the context of the sentence requires another meaning:

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

"Adjustable inlet" means a fitting mounted in the pool wall and connected to the return piping from the recirculation system that is directionally adjustable or a fitting mounted in the pool floor and connected to the return piping from the recirculation system that has a means of flow adjustment.

"Air bump 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.

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

"Attendant" means any person capable of providing rescue who is responsible to the management.

"Backwash" means the process of thoroughly cleansing the filter media and/or elements by reverse flow.

"Backwash cycle" means the time required to thoroughly backwash the filter media and/or elements and the contents of the filter vessel.

"Backwash rate" means the rate of application of water through a filter during the cleaning cycle normally expressed in U. S. gallons per minute per square foot of effective filter area.

"Bathing load" means the maximum number of persons allowed in the pool enclosure at one time.

"Booster pump system" means a system whereby one or more hydrojets are activated by the use of a pump which is completely independent of the filtration and heating system of a spa.

"Cartridge filter" means a filter that utilizes a porous cartridge as its filter medium.

"Collector tank" means a tank receiving the gravity flow from the perimeter overflow gutter and main drain(s) from which the recirculation pump takes suction. It may be referred to as a balance tank.

"Cover/Grate" means a fitting, device or assembly that separates the bather from the suction sump or piping that has been design and specified by the manufacturer to control flow through the open area.

"Department" means the Oklahoma State Department of Health and authorized representatives.

"Diatomaceous earth filter" means a filter that utilizes a thin layer of filter aid as its filter medium that periodically must be replaced.

"Engineering nomenclature" means the technical terms used through this chapter are understood to represent the currently accepted professional engineering definitions.

"Filter" means a device that separates solid particles from water by recirculating it through a porous substance (a filter medium or element).

"Filter agitation" means the mechanical or manual movement to dislodge the filter aid and dirt from the filter element.

"Filter aid" means a type of finely divided medium used to coat a septum type filter, usually diatomaceous earth, processed perlite, or similar material.

"Filter cycle" means the operating time between cleaning and/or backwash cycles.

"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. Filter elements usually consist of a septum and septum support.

"Filter freeboard" means the clear vertical distance between the top of the filter medium and the lowest outlet of the upper distribution system in a permanent media filter.

"Filter media, permanent" means a finely graded material (such as sand, anthracite, etc.) which removes filterable particles from the water.

"Filter septum" means that part of the filter element consisting of cloth, wire screen, or other porous material on which the filter medium or aid is deposited.

"Filtration flow" means the rate of flow, in volume per time (GPM, GPH), through the filter system installed per manufacturer's instructions with new clean media.

"Filtration rate" means the rate of filtration of water through a filter during the filter cycle expressed in U.S. gallons per minute per square foot of effective filter area.

"Hydrojets" means a fitting which blends air and water creating a high velocity, turbulent stream of air enriched water.

"Hydrotherapy, whirlpool, or spa pool" means a public pool used exclusively in conjunction with high velocity air and/or high velocity water recirculation systems, utilizing hot, cold, or ambient temperature water. These pools will be referred to as spas.

"Individual therapy units" means tanks which are designed for the therapeutic treatment of one individual at one time and are drained and cleaned after each individual use. Individual therapy units are not considered public bathing places.

"Ladders" means a series of vertically separated treads or rungs either connected by vertical rail members or independently fastened to an adjacent vertical spa/pool wall.

"Lower distribution system (underdrain)" means those devices used in the bottom of a permanent media filter to collect the water uniformly during the filtering and to distribute the backwash uniformly during the backwashing.

"Open to the general public" means not restricted to tenants or guests.

"Overflow system" means the term overflow system encompasses perimeter type overflows, surface skimmers, and surface water collection systems of various design and manufacture. The water line shall be established by the height of the overflow rim.

"Perimeter overflow gutter" means a trough or gutter around the inside perimeter of the pool walls with the overflow lip effecting a skimming action to clean the pool water surface.

"Permanent media filter" means a filter that utilizes a medium that can be regenerated and will not have to be replaced.

"Plunge pool" means the receiving body of water located at the terminus of a recreation water slide.

"Pool deck" means the unobstructed area around the outside of the pool curb, diving boards, diving towers, and/or pool slides.

"Pool floor" means the interior bottom pool/spa surface and consists of that surface from a horizontal plane up to a maximum of a 45^o slope.

"Pool turnover" means the circulation of a quantity of water equal to the pool volume through the filter and treatment facilities.

"Portable pool" means a shallow pool, with depth not exceeding 4.5 feet, intended only for swimming instruction, which can be quickly erected, used for an instruction period then dismantled and moved to another location. Conditions governing authorization and operation are shown in the Public Bathing Place Operations.

"Precoat pot" means a hopper with a valved connection to the suction side of the recirculation pump of pressure diatomaceous earth type filter systems that is used for coating the filter with filter medium prior to filtering water through the system.

"Private pool" means a pool maintained by an individual for the use of his family and friends, with no other formal admission requirement.

"Public swimming pool or public pool" means a structure of concrete, masonry, or other approved materials, located either indoors or outdoors, used for bathing or swimming, or for instructional purposes in swimming, diving, or other aquatic activities by humans, and filled with a filtered and disinfected water supply, together with buildings, appurtenances, and equipment used in connection therewith. A public swimming pool or public pool shall mean a conventional pool, spa type pool, wading pool, special purpose pool, or water recreation attraction to which admission may be gained with or without payment of a fee and includes but is not limited to pools operated by or serving camps, churches, cities, clubs, counties, health spas, institutions, parks, state agencies, schools, subdivisions, or other cooperative living type projects such as apartments, boarding houses, condominiums, hotels, mobile home parks, motels, recreational vehicle parks, and mobile home parks.

"Recessed steps" means a riser/tread or series of risers/treads extending down from the deck with the bottom riser/tread terminating at the spa/pool wall, thus creating a "stairwell."

"Recessed treads" means a series of vertically spaced cavities in the spa/pool wall to be used as steps for the ladder.

"Recirculation system" means the system traversed by the recirculated water from the pool until it is returned to the pool.

"Scope of work" means a document outlining proposed changes to a public bathing place, including but not limited to the existing configuration and work to bring the facility into compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

"Skimmer system" means the water line shall fall in the midpoint of the operating range of the skimmers.

"Special purpose pool" means a public bathing place used exclusively for a particular purpose, including but not limited to springboard or platform diving training, scuba diving instruction, and aquatic programs for handicapped individuals and kindergarten children.

"Spray pool" means a recreation area intended for use by children, in which water is supplied by a system of sprays but is not allowed to accumulate.

"Steps" means a riser/tread or series of risers/treads extending down from the deck into the spa/pool area.

"Submerged suction outlet" means a fitting assembly, cover/grate, and related components below the water level that provides a localized low pressure area for the transfer of water from a swimming pool, wading pool, spa or hot tub.

"Toxic" means the adverse physiological effect on man.

"Tread contact surface" means the foot contact surfaces of ladder, step, stair, or ramp.

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

"Upper distribution system" means those devices designed to distribute the water entering a permanent media filter in a manner such as to prevent movement or migration of the filter medium. This system shall also properly collect water during filter backwashing unless other means are provided.

"Unblockable drain" means a suction outlet constructed, designed, or fitted with an approved cover, of a minimum size such that an 18 inches by 23 inches body blocking element will not cause a differential pressure that could cause body entrapment.

"Vacuum (or suction) filter" means a filter which operates under a reduced pressure from the suction of a pump.

"Wading pool" means a pool intended for recreational use by children and having a maximum depth not exceeding 18 inches.

"Water line" means the water line shall be defined in one of the following ways:

"Water recreation attraction" means a public bathing or swimming facility with design and operational features that provide patrons recreational activity which is different from that associated with a conventional swimming pool and purposefully involves total or partial immersion in the water. Water recreation attractions include but are not limited to water slides, water amusement lagoons, and wave pools.

[Source: Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2003, eff 6-25-09]