3102B Definitions — 2025 California Building Code

ANCILLARY FACILITY is any area used in conjunction with or for the operation of a pool such as public dressing rooms, lockers, shower or bathroom areas, drinking fountains, equipment room, pool deck area, pool enclosure or building space that is intended to be used by pool users.

BACKWASH is the process of reversing the flow of water through the filter to thoroughly clean the filter media and/or elements and remove the debris from the contents of the filter vessel.

CANTILEVERED DECKING is the part of the deck which extends over a top edge of a pool or spa.

CLEAN POOL WATER is pool water that is free of dirt, oils, scum, algae, floating materials or visible organic and inorganic materials that would pollute the water.

CLEAR POOL WATER is pool water that is free from cloudiness and is transparent.

COPING is a slip-resistant cap installed on the top edge of a pool or spa.

CORROSION RESISTANT is capable of maintaining original surface characteristics under the prolonged influence of the use environment.

DECK is an area surrounding a pool which is specifically constructed or installed for use by pool users.

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH is a filtering media consisting of microscopic fossilized skeletons of diatoms.

EASILY CLEANABLE is a characteristic of a surface or material that allows removal of dirt, stains or residue by normal cleaning methods.

EFFECTIVE PARTICLE SIZE is the theoretical size of a sieve in mm that will pass 10 percent by weight of sand.

ENFORCING AGENT is the health officer, director of environmental health, registered environmental health specialist or environmental health specialist trainee.

[HCD 2] ENFORCING AGENT OR ENFORCING AGENCY is the Department of Housing and Community Development, local building department or other local agency that has assumed responsibility for the enforcement of Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.1 commencing with Section 18200 for mobilehome parks and Health and Safety Code, Division 13, Part 2.3 commencing with Section 18860 for special occupancy parks.

EQUIPMENT AREA is an area where the recirculation system and all related appurtenances are located.

HANDHOLD is a structure located at or above the water line around the perimeter of the pool wall that allows a pool user to hold onto the poolside for support.

INLET is a fitting or fixture through which recirculated water enters the pool.

LADDER is a series of vertically separate treads or rungs either connected by vertical rail members or independently fastened to an adja- cent vertical pool wall.

LIVING UNIT is any building or portion thereof that contains living facilities including provisions for sleeping.

MAIN DRAIN is a submerged suction outlet typically located at the bottom of a pool that conducts water to a recirculating pump.

MEDICAL POOL is a special-purpose pool used by a State-recognized medical institution engaged in the healing arts under the direct supervision of licensed medical personnel for treatment of the infirm.

OUTLET is a fitting or fixture through which recirculated water is removed from the pool which may or may not be connected to the

pump.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD is a standard that is accredited and published. Products compliant with a standard may be listed by any authorized nationally recognized testing laboratory.

PERIMETER OVERFLOW SYSTEM is a system which includes perimeter-type overflow gutters, surge basin or similar surface water collec- tive system components and their interconnecting piping.

PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMIT is the maximum amount or concentration of a chemical that a worker may be exposed to under United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.

POOL OR PUBLIC POOL is an artificial basin, chamber or tank constructed or prefabricated with impermeable surfaces that is used, or intended to be used, for public swimming, diving or recreational activities but does not include individual therapeutic tubs or baths where the main purpose is the cleaning of the body. Any manmade lake or swimming lagoon with a sand beach or sand bottom is not a public pool.

POOL OPERATOR or OPERATOR is a person who is responsible for maintaining compliance with all requirements relating to pool opera- tion, maintenance and safety of pool users.

POOL USER is a person using a pool and ancillary facilities for the purpose of water activities such as diving, swimming or wading.

RADIUS OF CURVATURE is the radius arc which denotes the curved surface from the point of departure from the springline of the pool to the pool bottom.

READILY ACCESSIBLE is capable of being reached easily for cleaning, repair, replacement or inspection without the necessity of remov- ing a panel, door or similar obstruction and without requiring a person to climb over or remove obstacles or to use devices such as portable ladders.

READILY DISASSEMBLED means capable of being taken apart by hand or by using only simple tools such as a screwdriver, pliers or open-end wrench.

RECESSED STEPS are a series of vertically spaced cavities in the pool wall creating riser and tread areas for pool ingress and egress.

RECIRCULATION SYSTEM is the system of hydraulic components designed to remove, filter, disinfect and return water to the pool.

RIM FLOW GUTTER is a perimeter overflow system in which the overflow rim is at the same elevation with the deck.

SKIMMER EQUALIZER LINE is a submerged suction outlet located below the waterline and connected to the body of a skimmer that prevents air from being drawn into the pump if the water level drops below the skimmer weir or the skimmer is blocked by debris. A skim- mer equalizer line is not a main drain.

SLIP RESISTANT is a rough finish that is not abrasive to the bare foot.

SPA POOL OR SPA is a pool that incorporates a water jet system, an aeration system or a combination of the two systems used in conjunction with heated water.

SPECIAL PURPOSE POOL is a pool constructed exclusively for a specific purpose, such as instruction, diving, competition or medical

treatment.

SPLASH ZONE is the maximum distance the water from a spray ground can project horizontally.

SPRAY GROUND is a pool with no standing water in the splash zone and consists of a surge basin with a recirculation system from which water is directed through water features for contact with pool users.

SPRINGLINE is the point from which the pool wall breaks from vertical and begins its arc in the radius of curvature.

STAIRS are a series of two or more steps.

STEP is a riser and tread.

SUCTION OUTLET is any outlet that is connected to the pump through which water is removed from the pool.

SURGE BASIN is a reservoir or surge trench open to the atmosphere that receives water via gravity flow from the main drain, spray ground or perimeter overflow system and from which the recirculation system operates.

TEMPERED WATER is water between 100°F and 110°F.

TURNOVER TIME is the maximum time allowed to circulate one complete volume of the pool water through the recirculation system.

UNIFORMITY COEFFICIENT is the ratio of the theoretical size of a sieve in mm that will pass 60 percent of the sand to the theoretical size of a sieve in mm that will pass 10 percent of the sand.

WADING POOL is a pool intended to be used for wading by small children and having a maximum water depth of 18 inches (457 mm) at the deepest point.

WATER FEATURE means an interactive device or structure through which water is directed to the pool user such as a water fountain, water spray, dancing water jet, waterfall, dumping bucket or shooting water cannon.

WATERLINE shall be defined as one of the following:

1. Skimmer system. The waterline shall be the midpoint of the operating range of the skimmers.

2. Overflow system. The waterline shall be the top edge of the overflow rim.

PLAN REVIEW, PERMITS, CONSTRUCTION AND FIELD INSPECTIONS