1. (a) Artificial lighting required. When a pool or spa is open for use during periods of low natural illumination, pools and spas shall provide artificial lighting. At a minimum artificial lighting shall be provided 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset or until the pool is closed, whichever is later.

2. (b) Lighting provided for pools and spas.

   1. (1) Lighting shall be provided to illuminate all areas of the pool and spa, including all suction outlets on the bottom of the pool or spa such that the suction outlets shall be visible and that the pool water is transparent and free from cloudiness.
   2. (2) Illumination shall be sufficient to enable a lifeguard or other persons standing on the deck or sitting on a lifeguard stand adjacent to the pool edge to determine if a pool user is lying on the bottom of the pool or spa.
   3. (3) The conditions in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection are met when all suction outlets are visible from the edge of the deck at all times when artificial lighting is illuminated. When an eight-inch diameter black disk or Secchi disk is placed at the bottom of the pool in the deepest point, it shall be visible from the edge of the pool deck at all times when artificial lighting is illuminated.
3. (c) Pool and spa deck lighting required. Overhead or underwater lighting, or both, shall be provided to illuminate the pool and deck areas. The lighting shall be listed and labeled and shall be installed in accordance with the NFPA 70 and the current NEC.

4. (d) Lighting levels required. Any combination of overhead and underwater lighting may be used to provide maintained illumination at the required lighting levels.

   1. (1) Outdoor pools: Not less than 10 horizontal foot-candles (10 lumens per square foot or 108 lux) at the pool water surface.
   2. (2) Indoor pools: Not less than 30 horizontal foot-candles (30 lumens per square foot or 323 lux) at the pool water surface.
   3. (3) Deck area: Not less than 10 horizontal foot-candles (10 lumens per square foot or 108 lux) at the walking surface of the deck.
5. (e) Underwater lighting requirements in pools and spas. Underwater lighting shall provide not less than 8 horizontal foot-candles (8 lumens per square foot or 86 lux) at the pool water surface area. Where fixtures and lamps are rated in watts, not less than a total wattage of 1/2 watt/ft² of pool water surface for incandescent underwater lighting is required.

6. (f) Outdoor pool and spa underwater lighting exception. Where outdoor pools and spas are open for use from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise, or during periods of low illumination, underwater lighting may be excluded where:

   1. (1) maintained illumination surface lighting levels are a minimum of 15 horizontal foot-candles (15 lumens per square foot or 161 lux); and
   2. (2) all portions of the pool, including the bottom and suction outlets, are readily visible without glare.
7. (g) Dimmable or color changing lighting. Dimmable or changing color lighting is allowed but shall not be used to meet the lighting levels required for public pools and spas in subsections (d) and (e) of this section.

8. (h) Emergency illumination. Pools, spas, and pool yards that operate during periods of low illumination shall be provided with emergency lighting that will automatically turn on to permit evacuation of the pool and securing of the area in the event of power failure.

   1. (1) Emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to provide initial illumination that is not less than 0.1 foot-candle (0.1 lumen per square foot or 1 lux) measure at any point on the water surface and at any point on the walking surface of the deck, and not less than an average of 1 foot-candle (1 lumen per square foot or 11 lux).
   2. (2) At the end of the emergency lighting time duration, the illumination level shall be not less than 0.06 foot-candle (0.06 lumen per square foot or 0.65 lux) measured at any point on the water surface and at any point on the walking surface of the deck, and not less than an average of 0.6 foot-candle (0.6 lumen per square foot or 6.46 lux).
   3. (3) A maximum-to-minimum illumination uniformity ratio of 40 to 1 shall not be exceeded.
9. (i) Security lighting. Where security lighting is provided, it shall be sufficient to illuminate the pool at all times during periods of low illumination or when the pool or spa is closed. Security lighting may be overhead lighting, underwater lighting, or a combination of both.
10. (j) Lighting levels of the pool or spa, regardless of the date of construction, may be reduced for scheduled special events such as movies, holiday events, or similar activities.
11. (k) Lighting for pools and spas constructed before the effective date of this subchapter. Pools and spas constructed before the effective date of this subchapter shall comply with the pool and spa lighting requirements in effect at the time the pool or spa was constructed. When a pool or spa is renovated, to the extent possible, lighting shall comply with the requirements of subsections (a) - (k) of this section.

Source Note:The provisions of this §265.196 adopted to be effective January 1, 2021, 45 TexReg 9529.