This section applies to existing Class A, B, C or D pools and existing spas using gas chlorination, and new Class A or B pools using gas chlorination. Gas chlorination equipment shall not be installed on new Class C or Class D pools, or on new spas.

1. (1) Trained personnel. Trained personnel shall be provided to meet §265.197(c)(3) of this title (relating to Disinfectant Equipment and Chemical Feeders (Disinfectant equipment and practices at new and existing pools and spas)).
2. (2) Two trained persons. Two persons trained in the performance of routine chlorination operation and emergency procedures shall be readily available during normal operating hours. Pool personnel shall be informed about leak control procedures. It is recommended that a Chlorine Institute Emergency Kit A be provided and stored at an approved location where it is readily accessible per the emergency response plan. Only trained designated personnel shall operate the chlorinator and change chlorine cylinders.
3. (3) Safe equipment location. Chlorination equipment shall be located so that failure or malfunction will have minimum effect on evacuation of pool patrons in an emergency.
4. (4) Chlorinator. Gas chlorinators shall be the type where the regulator attaches to the cylinder, with the injector is located at the point of injection, with a vacuum line taking suction at the regulator and delivering the gas to the vacuum injector. They shall be designed to prevent the suction of water into the chlorination system if the booster pump fails to operate.

5. (5) Booster pump. A booster pump water supply for the gas chlorinator injector shall be capable of producing the flow rate and pressure required by the manufacturer's specifications for proper operation of the equipment.

   1. (A) Elemental chlorine feeders (chlorinators) shall be activated by a booster pump using recirculated water supplied via the recirculation system.
   2. (B) A booster pump shall be interlocked to the filter pump to prevent feeding of chlorine when the recirculation pump is not running.

6. (6) Housing. The chlorinator, cylinders of chlorine, and associated equipment shall be housed in a separate corrosion-resistant room reasonably gas-tight having a floor area adequate to the purpose. The following shall apply to housing structures:

   1. (A) all enclosures shall be located at or above ground level;
   2. (B) the enclosure shall be provided with: ducts from the bottom of the enclosure to the atmosphere in an unrestricted area, a motor-driven louvered exhaust fan capable of producing at least one air change per minute, near the top of the enclosure for admitting fresh air or negative pressure ventilation may be provided as long as the facilities also have gas containment and treatment as prescribed by the Uniform Fire Code (UFC);
   3. (C) a warning sign shall be posted on the exterior side of the doors which states in four inch letters, "DANGER CHLORINE";
   4. (D) the doors to the chlorine room shall open away from the pool and open outward and have panic hardware;
   5. (E) electrical switches for the control of artificial lighting and ventilation shall be on the outside of the enclosure adjacent to the door. Adequate lighting shall be provided;
   6. (F) at least one door shall have a viewport to permit the operators to look into the room before entering; and
   7. (G) the door shall be kept locked when the chlorine room is not being serviced.

7. (7) General gas chlorine safety features. The following gas chlorination safety features shall be required.

   1. (A) Two full-face self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied air respirators that meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) standards shall be provided for protection against chlorine in the event of a leak. This equipment shall have sufficient capacity for the purpose intended. SCBA equipment shall be readily accessible at a location acceptable to the Local Emergency Planning Committee and/or the local fire chief. Entry into the chlorine room shall not be permitted without necessary safety equipment (i.e., SCBA for leaks, or escape type half-face or mouthpiece cartridge-type respirator or SCBA when conducting general maintenance, changing cylinders, etc.) and two trained personnel at the site. In addition, a written respirator program shall be provided and employees shall be trained in the use and maintenance of such equipment to ensure operability and safety. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations 29 CFR 1910, require training and maintenance programs for respirators. All applicable local, state or federal requirements concerning the proper handling of chlorine shall be followed.

   2. (B) Containers may be stored indoors or outdoors. Full and empty cylinders shall be segregated and appropriately tagged. Cylinders, empty or full shall always be stored in an upright position and properly secured. Cylinders shall be chained to a wall or scale support. Storage conditions shall:

      1. (i) minimize external corrosion;
      2. (ii) be clean and free of trash;
      3. (iii) not be near elevator shafts or intake vents; and
      4. (iv) be away from elevated temperatures or heat sources.
   3. (C) Chlorine cylinders shall be handled with care. Valve protection caps and valve outlet caps shall be in place at all times except when the cylinder is connected for use. Cylinders shall not be dropped and shall be protected from falling objects. Cylinders shall be used on a first-in, first-out basis. New, approved washers shall be used each time a cylinder is connected.
   4. (D) As soon as a container is empty, the valve shall be closed and the lines disconnected. The outlet cap shall be applied promptly and the valve protection hood attached. The open end of the disconnected line shall be plugged or capped promptly to keep atmospheric moisture out of the system. A chlorine valve shut off wrench shall be kept on the cylinder valve stem of the cylinder that is in use.
   5. (E) Contents of a chlorine cylinder can be determined only by weight; therefore, facilities shall include a scale suitable for weighing the cylinders. Changing cylinder(s) shall be accomplished only after weighing proves contents of cylinder to be exhausted. Care shall be taken to prevent water suck-back into the cylinder by closing the cylinder valve.
   6. (F) The telephone number of the chlorine supplier shall be posted. In the event of a chlorine leak, the fire department or an agency trained in the handling of chlorine spills shall be immediately contacted. The telephone numbers of the fire department or above agency shall be posted on the outside of the chlorine room door.
   7. (G) It is recommended that information regarding safety issues be posted in or near the chlorine enclosure and in the pool office near the telephone. Such charts are available from many suppliers and from the Chlorine Institute. In addition, the Chlorine Institute publishes a document called "Chlorine Safety At Nonresidential Swimming Pools", Edition 1, 1988, pamphlet 82.
   8. (H) It is recommended that an automatic chlorine leak detector be installed in the chlorine room with an audible alarm installed at the pool site and at the remote site where emergency response personnel are located.
   9. (I) The chlorinator and all line and tank fittings shall be checked for leaks at regular intervals and after every tank exchange. A small bottle of fresh ammonia solution (or approved equal) for testing for chlorine leakage shall be provided and accessible outside the chlorinator room when chlorine gas is used.
   10. (J) Tanks and cylinders shall be secured as necessary to prevent spills.

Source Note:The provisions of this §265.198 adopted to be effective June 17, 1999, 24 TexReg 4365.