1. (a) General circulation requirements for pools and spas. A circulation system consisting of pumps, piping, return inlets and outlets, filters and other necessary equipment shall be provided for the complete circulation of the water.
2. (b) Filtering systems for wading pools and spas. Wading pools and spas constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter shall have separate and independent filtering systems.

3. (c) Turnover times for pools and spas.

   1. (1) For pools and spas constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter, the circulation equipment shall be sized to turn over the entire pool or spa water capacity as specified in Figure 25 TAC §265.190(c)(1). The circulation system shall be designed to provide the required turnover rate based on the maximum pressure and flow rate recommended by the manufacturer of the filter with clean filter media. The total volume of the pool or spa shall include water in the surge or balance tank.
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   2. (2) For pools and spas constructed before the effective date of this subchapter, the circulation equipment shall be sized to turn over the entire pool or spa water capacity in accordance with the pool and spa turnover rate requirements in effect at the time the pool or spa was constructed. When a pool or spa is renovated, to the extent possible, turnover times shall comply with the requirements of this section.

4. (d) Circulation system operation at pools and spas. Circulation systems shall circulate treated and filtered water for 24 hours a day unless the recirculation rate is reduced below the minimum required design values when the pool is unoccupied. The flow turndown system shall be designed as follows:

   1. (1) the system flowrate shall not be reduced more than 25% lower than the minimum design requirements and may be reduced only when the pool is unoccupied; and
   2. (2) water clarity is maintained as required, no algae are present, and disinfectant levels and pH are maintained as required in §265.206 of this subchapter (related to Water Quality at Pools and Spas).
5. (e) Off season circulation system operation. When an outdoor pool or spa is not in use for an extended period of time (such as off season), clarity shall be maintained. Circulation rates shall be permitted to be reduced provided that acceptable water clarity as required in §265.206 of this subchapter is maintained.
6. (f) Unfiltered water and total volume. Unfiltered water such as water that may be withdrawn from and returned to the pool or spa by a pump separate from the filtration systems, such as for slides, shall not factor into the turnover time.
7. (g) Servicing circulation components. Pool and spa circulation system components that require replacement or servicing shall be accessible for inspection, repair, or replacement and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
8. (h) Equipment installation. Pool and spa equipment and related piping shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
9. (i) Piping and fittings. Plastic pipe and fittings used in circulation systems in pools and spas constructed or renovated on or after the effective date of this subchapter shall be non-toxic and shall be able to withstand the design operating pressures and conditions of the pool or spa. Plastic pipe shall be listed and labeled in compliance with NSF 14 and one of the standards listed in Figure 25 TAC §265.190(i).
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10. (j) Fittings. Suction outlet fitting assemblies and manufacturer-components certified in accordance with ANSI/APSP/ICC-16, skimmers and manufacturer-provided components of skimmers, and gutter overflow grates and fittings installed above or outside of the overflow point of the pool or spa are not required to meet the standards listed in Figure: 25 TAC §265.190(i). All other fittings used in circulation systems shall be listed and labeled in compliance with one of the standards in Figure 25 TAC §265.190(j).
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11. (k) Joints. Joints shall be made in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
12. (l) Piping subject to freezing. Piping subject to damage by freezing shall have a uniform slope in one direction and shall be equipped with valves for drainage or shall be capable of being evacuated to remove water. Pool or spa piping shall be adequately supported and designed to prevent entrapment of air, water, or dirt. Provision shall be made for expansion or contraction of pipes.
13. (m) System draining. Equipment shall be designed and fabricated to drain the water from the equipment, together with exposed face piping, by removal of drain plugs, manipulating valves, or by other methods. Drainage shall be in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

14. (n) Pressure and vacuum gauges. Pool and spa circulation shall be equipped with the following:

    1. (1) a pump suction (vacuum or combination vacuum/pressure) gauge installed according to manufacturer's instructions and located on the suction side of the pump;
    2. (2) a filter inlet pressure gauge installed at the point of greatest pressure;
    3. (3) a filter outlet gauge; and
    4. (4) a flow measuring device for pools and spas certified, listed and labeled to NSF Standard 50, NSF Standard 60, or NSF Standard 61 located to show the rate of flow through the filter. The flow rate measuring device shall indicate gpm and shall be selected and installed to be accurate within plus or minus 10 percent of actual flow.
15. (o) Instructions and schematic. Written operation and maintenance instructions shall be provided for the circulation system of the pool or spa. Exposed piping shall be labeled to identify the piping function and direction of flow. For pools and spas constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter, a complete, easily readable schematic of the entire recirculation system shall be openly displayed in the mechanical room or available to maintenance and inspection personnel.
16. (p) Hydrostatic pressure test. Air pressure testing of pool and spa circulation systems is prohibited. In pools and spas that are constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter, the circulation system piping, other than that integrally included in the manufacture of the pool or spa, shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure test of 25 pounds per square inch with the pressure held until the pool shell is in place.
17. (q) Piping labeled. All piping in pools and spas shall be labeled to identify the piping function and direction of flow. The name of the liquid or gas and arrows indicating the direction shall be permanently indicated on the pipe by labelling or other method regardless of the date of construction.

Source Note:The provisions of this §265.190 adopted to be effective January 1, 2021, 45 TexReg 9529.