1. (a) Surface skimming system required. A surface skimming system shall be provided for pools and spas. Surface skimming systems shall be listed and labeled in accordance with NSF 50. Where installed, surface skimming systems shall be designed and constructed to create a skimming action on the pool water surface when the water level in the pool is within operational parameters.
2. (b) NSF Standard 50 listing for spa skimmers. Skimmers that are an integral part of a spa and that have been listed and labeled with NSF Standard 50 shall not be required to be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1563 or UL-IEC 50335-2-60.

3. (c) Surface skimming systems in certain pools. Installation of surface skimming systems is not required for the following pools if the pools are planned and designed by a licensed engineer:

   1. (1) wave action pools;
   2. (2) activity pools;
   3. (3) catch pools;
   4. (4) run out slide pools;
   5. (5) leisure rivers; or
   6. (6) vortex pools.

4. (d) Skimming system sizing. Skimming systems shall be designed to maintain effective skimming action throughout the pool or spa and to handle 100% of the water flow through the surface skimmers. Where automatic surface skimmers are used the following shall apply:

   1. (1) In pools, one skimmer shall be provided for every 500 square feet of pool surface area or fraction thereof.
   2. (2) In spas, one skimmer shall be provided for every 150 square feet of spa surface area or fraction thereof.
5. (e) Perimeter overflow (gutter) coverage. Where a gutter type surface skimming system is used as the sole surface skimming system, the system shall extend around not less than 50 percent of the pool or spa perimeter.
6. (f) Pool gutter system surge capacity. Where perimeter surface skimming systems are used, they shall be connected to a circulation system with a system surge capacity of not less than 1 gallon for each square foot of water surface except the surge capacity may be less than 1 gallon if the maximum user load capacity calculated in accordance with Figure 25 TAC §265.184(o)(2) (related to Maximum Number of Users in Class A Pools Not Being Used for Competitive Events and Class B and Class C Pools and Spas) is lowered. The capacity of the perimeter overflow system and related piping may be considered as a portion of the surge capacity.
7. (g) Spa gutter system surge capacity. Where a gutter system surface skimming system is used in a spa it shall be connected to the circulation system with a system surge capacity of not less than 2 gallons for each square foot of spa surface.
8. (h) Skimmer covers and equalizers. Skimmer covers located on a walking surface shall be securely seated, slip-resistant, of sufficient strength to withstand normal use, and not constitute a tripping hazard.
9. (i) Automatic makeup water. Automatic makeup water supply equipment shall be provided to maintain continuous skimming in pools and spas constructed on or after the effective date of this subchapter.

Source Note:The provisions of this §265.194 adopted to be effective January 1, 2021, 45 TexReg 9529.