1. (a) Suction outlet system design. A suction outlet system shall be designed to protect against suction entrapment, evisceration, and hair entanglement or entrapment hazards in accordance with ANSI/APSP-16, American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Catch Basins.

2. (b) Wading pool suction outlets.

   1. (1) A wading pool or any pool having a depth of 24 inches or less that does not contain a PIWF and that is constructed or renovated on or after the effective date of this subchapter shall not have fully submerged suction outlets. Skimmers or overflow gutters shall be installed and shall accommodate 100% of the circulation system flow rate.
   2. (2) A wading pool or any pool having a depth of 24 inches or less containing a PIWF and that is constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter may install two or more suction outlets or a single unblockable suction outlet. The suction outlets shall comply with VGBA and ANSI/APSP/ICC requirements for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins, and shall be placed where they are inaccessible by users.
3. (c) Skimmers not suction outlets. For purposes of this section, skimmers are not considered to be suction outlets.
4. (d) Closure when a cover is missing, broken or loose. If the cover or grate on a suction outlet including a vacuum outlet is missing, broken, or loose, the pool or spa shall be closed immediately and shall remain closed until a proper repair is made or a replacement is installed.
5. (e) Fully submerged suction outlets not required. Fully submerged suction outlets are not required. When fully submerged suction outlets are not installed, surface skimming or overflow systems shall be designed and permitted to provide 100% of the circulation flow rate.
6. (f) Field fabricated suction outlets and sumps. Field fabricated suction outlet covers, or grates, sump, fasteners, and assemblies shall be designed and certified by a licensed engineer as conforming to ANSI/APSP-16. Field built sumps shall be constructed in accordance with the suction outlet fitting assembly manufacturer's instructions or, as may be site specific, designed by a licensed engineer.
7. (g) Single points of suction. Pools and spas constructed or renovated on or after the effective date of this subchapter shall not have a single fully submerged suction outlet.

8. (h) Dual outlets and three or more outlets. Pools and spas constructed or renovated on or after the effective date of this subchapter shall have dual or three or more suction outlets that are designed, constructed, manufactured, and installed in accordance with ANSI/APSP/ICC.

   1. (1) The distance between dual VGBA-compliant suction outlets, as measured from center to center of the suction outlet cover or grate, shall be no less than three feet.
   2. (2) The flow rate through a fitting, cover, or grate shall not exceed the approved flow rate for that fitting, cover, or grate when one suction fitting in a suction outlet system is blocked.
   3. (3) No means of isolating suction outlets is permitted that could allow one suction outlet to serve as the sole source of water to a pump.
   4. (4) A single pipe to a pump suction inlet that serves two or more suction outlets may have a valve to shut off the flow to the pump.
9. (i) Compliance with ANSI/APSP 16. Fully submerged suction outlet fitting assemblies, including cover/grate and associated fittings, fasteners, and components shall be tested and certified by a third-party test lab accredited by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) to test and certify products as conforming to ANSI/APSP-16.

10. (j) Suction vacuum release systems. Pools and spas constructed prior to the effective date of this subchapter, that have single points of suction (single submerged suction outlet) are required to install a SVRS and APSS that meets the following requirements:

    1. (1) When used, SVRS and APSS devices shall be tested and certified by a third-party test lab accredited by the ILAC as conforming to ASME/ANSI A112.19.17, ASTM F 2387 or any successor standards recognized by the U.S. Consumer Product Commission and installed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
    2. (2) For substantially varying environmental conditions, including freezing temperatures, extreme heat, salt spray and humidity, the suitability of a SVRS or APSS must be confirmed with the manufacturer prior to installation and use.
    3. (3) Licensed engineers or certified installers shall confirm suitability with the SVRS or APSS manufacturer prior to installation and use and that the SVRS or APSS is not being installed in an incompatible configuration such as with the use of check valves, hydrostatic relief valves, skimmers, solar systems, elevated or submerged pump suction, multilevel bodies of water, water features, or two or more suction outlets.
    4. (4) SVRS and APSS devices shall be operated, tested, and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions. Testing and maintenance records or logs for the SVRS or APSS shall be maintained on-site for 2 years.
11. (k) Vacuum outlets. Vacuum outlets in pools and spas shall comply with IAPMO SPS 4 and be provided with a cover that automatically closes and automatically latches and cannot be opened by pool and spa users. The vacuum outlet cover must be installed according to manufacturer's instructions and be no greater than 12 inches below the water level. The vacuum piping shall be equipped with a valve to remain in the closed position when not in use. Vacuum outlets in skimmers are not required to have a separate cover. If the vacuum outlet cannot be equipped with an automatic closure and latch, the vacuum outlet shall be permanently sealed.

12. (l) Skimmer equalizer lines.

    1. (1) For pools and spas constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter skimmer equalizer lines shall not be installed.
    2. (2) Skimmers shall be vented to the atmosphere through openings in the lid.
    3. (3) Pools and spas constructed prior to the effective date of this subchapter with skimmers having equalizers shall comply with all submerged suction outlet requirements in ANSI/APSP/ICC.
13. (m) Maximum suction system flow rate. The maximum system flow rate in suction systems shall be determined in accordance with the ANSI/APSP/ICC-7 and ANSI/APSP-16 in effect at the date of construction.

14. (n) Return water velocity. The water velocity in return lines of pools and spas constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter shall not exceed 8 feet per second except:

    1. (1) the feet per second velocity between the pump strainer and filter shall meet the manufacturer's requirements; and
    2. (2) the 8 feet per second velocity is not required to be met in water jets, spray nozzles, and wall nozzle returns.

15. (o) Return inlets and fittings. A pool or spa constructed or renovated on or after the effective date of this subchapter shall have return fittings that are provided and arranged to facilitate a uniform circulation of water and maintain a uniform sanitizer residual and pH throughout the entire pool and spa.

    1. (1) A pool shall be provided with a minimum of one return inlet for every 300 square feet of pool surface area, or fraction thereof.
    2. (2) A spa shall have a minimum of one return inlet for every 150 square feet of surface area with a minimum of 2 inlets per spa.
    3. (3) Floor inlets shall be flush with the floor of the pool or spa.
    4. (4) Return inlets shall be designed to not constitute a hazard to the user.
    5. (5) Wall return inlets must not project more than 1 inch beyond the pool or spa wall surface and must be submerged at least 12 inches below the design water level.

Source Note:The provisions of this §265.193 adopted to be effective January 1, 2021, 45 TexReg 9529.