1. (a) No gas chlorination to be installed after September 1, 2004. Gas chlorination equipment shall not be installed on post-10/01/99 pools or spas constructed after September 1, 2004.

2. (b) Gas chlorination in pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004. Post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004, and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas using gas chlorination shall comply with the following:

   1. (1) trained personnel shall be provided to comply with §265.197(b)(3) of this title (relating to Disinfecting Equipment and Chemical Feeders for Post-10/01/99 and Pre-10/01/99 Pools and Spas);
   2. (2) two persons trained in the performance of routine chlorination operation and emergency procedures shall be readily available during normal operating hours;
   3. (3) pool personnel shall be informed about leak control procedures;
   4. (4) only trained designated personnel shall operate the chlorinator and change chlorine cylinders; and
   5. (5) chlorination equipment shall be located so that failure or malfunction will have minimum effect on evacuation of pool users in an emergency.
3. (c) Chlorinators on post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004, and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas. On post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004, and pre-10/01/99 pools and the spas the chlorinator's regulator shall attach to the gas cylinder so that the injector is located at the point of injection. The vacuum line taking suction at the regulator shall deliver 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.

4. (d) Booster pumps on post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004, and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas. The booster pump water supply for the gas chlorinator injector on post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004, and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas shall be capable of producing the flow rate and pressure required by the manufacturer's instructions for proper operation of the equipment.

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

5. (e) Housing of chlorinators, cylinders of chlorine and associated equipment at post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004, and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas. The chlorinator, cylinders of chlorine, and associated equipment at post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004, and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas shall be housed in a separate corrosion-resistant reasonably gas-tight room with a floor area adequate to the purpose. The following shall apply to housing structures:

   1. (1) all enclosures shall be located at or above ground level;

   2. (2) the enclosure shall:

      1. (A) have ducts from the bottom of the enclosure to the atmosphere in an unrestricted area, and 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
      2. (B) have negative pressure ventilation as long as the facility also has gas containment and treatment equipment and procedures as prescribed by the Uniform Fire Code (UFC).
   3. (3) a warning sign shall be posted on the exterior side of the doors that states in 4-inch letters, "DANGER CHLORINE";
   4. (4) the doors to the chlorine room shall open away from the pool and open outward and have panic hardware;
   5. (5) 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. (6) at least one door shall have a view port to permit the operators to look into the room before entering; and
   7. (7) the door shall be kept locked when the chlorine room is not being serviced.

6. (f) General gas chlorine safety features at post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004 and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas. The following gas chlorination safety features shall be required at post-10/01/99 pools and spas constructed before September 1, 2004 and pre-10/01/99 pools and spas.

   1. (1) Two full-face self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied air respirators that meets 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. All applicable local, state or federal requirements concerning the proper handling of chlorine shall be followed.

   2. (2) 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. (A) minimize external corrosion;
      2. (B) be clean and free of trash;
      3. (C) be away from elevator shafts or intake vents; and
      4. (D) be away from elevated temperatures or heat sources.
   3. (3) Chlorine cylinders shall be handled with care. Valve protection and outlet caps shall be in place at all times except when the cylinder is connected for use. Cylinders shall be used on a first-in, first-out basis. Post-10/01/99, approved washers shall be used each time a cylinder is connected.
   4. (4) 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. (5) 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. (6) The telephone number of the chlorine supplier, and the fire department or agency trained in the handling of chlorine spills shall be posted on the outside of the chorine room door. In the event of a chlorine leak, the fire department or an agency trained in the handling of chlorine spills shall be immediately contacted.
   7. (7) 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 equivalent) for testing for chlorine leakage shall be provided and accessible outside the chlorinator room when chlorine gas is used.
   8. (8) Tanks and cylinders shall be secured as necessary to prevent spills.

Source Note:The provisions of this §265.198 adopted to be effective September 1, 2004, 29 TexReg 7704.