Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 13 - AGENCY OF HUMAN SERVICES › Sub-Agency 140 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH › Chapter 027 - VERMONT HEALTH REGULATIONS CHAPTER 5, SUBCHAPER 17 - PUBLIC SPAS AND HOT TUBS › Section 13 140 027 - VERMONT HEALTH REGULATIONS CHAPTER 5, SUBCHAPER 17 - PUBLIC SPAS AND HOT TUBS

Current through June, 2024
Pursuant to Title 18, V.S.A., Chapter 3, Section
				  102, the
				  following regulations governing public spas and hot tubs are hereby established
				  as the minimum requirements by the Agency of Human Services.
Section 1.0 DEFINITIONS
AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM - A system whereby air is induced into
				  fixed ducting. The Air Induction System is activated by a separate air power
				  unit.
ALKALINITY - The amount of bicarbonate, carbonate, or
				  hydroxide compound present in water solution, expressed as CaCO[3].
ANTIVORTEX DRAIN - A drain with a raised cover designed to
				  prevent the vacuuming effect on a body which may come in contact with the
				  drain.
BACKWASH - The process of cleansing the filter media and/or
				  elements by reverse flow.
BACKWASH CYCLE - The time required to thoroughly backwash the
				  filter media and/or elements.
BACKWASH RATE - The rate of application of water through a
				  filter during the cleaning cycle. It is normally expressed in U.S. gallons per
				  minute per square foot of effective filter area.
BAND - See Hoop.
BREAKPOINT CHLORINATION - When chlorine is added to water
				  containing ammonia it reacts with the ammonia to form chloramines. If more
				  chlorine is added to the water, the total residual chlorine continues to rise
				  until the concentration reaches a point that forces the reaction with ammonia
				  to go rapidly to completion. Compounds of nitrogen and chlorine are released
				  from the water, and the apparent residual chlorine decreases. The point at
				  which the residual suddenly drops is called the breakpoint. When enough
				  chlorine is added to pass the breakpoint, all combined chlorine compounds
				  disappear, eye irritation potential and "chlorine odors" disappear, and the
				  chlorine that remains in the water is all in the free state. The breakpoint
				  occurs at different concentrations in different waters. Superchlorination
				  usually results in exceeding the breakpoint.
DECK, ABOVE-GROUND - Any structure that is on top of or
				  adjacent to the outer edges of the spa/hot tub/pool that can support
				  person(s).
DECKS - Those areas surrounding a spa or hot tub which are
				  specifically constructed or installed for use by bathers.
EFFECTIVE FILTER AREA -
PERMANENT MEDIA TYPE: The effective filter area is the cross
				  section area of the filter surface that is perpendicular to the flow
				  direction.
CARTRIDGE FILTER: The total effective filter area is that
				  cartridge area which is exposed to the direct flow of water. This excludes
				  cartridge ends, seals, supports and other areas where flow is impaired.
FACE PIPING - The piping, with all valves and fittings, which
				  is used to connect the filter system together as a unit.
FACTOR OF SAFETY - The ultimate load divided by the safe load
				  or the ultimate strength divided by the allowable stress.
FILTER - A device that separates solid particles from water
				  by recirculating it through a porous substance (a filter media or
				  element).
PERMANENT MEDIA FILTER: A filter that utilizes a media that
				  can be regenerated and will not have to be replaced.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTER: A filter that utilizes a thin
				  layer of filter aid as its filter media. The aid must be replaced
				  periodically.
CARTRIDGE FILTER: A filter that utilizes a porous cartridge
				  as its filter media.
FILTER AGITATION - The mechanical or manual movement to
				  dislodge the filter air and dirt from the filter element.
FILTER CYCLE - The operating time a filter is in use and not
				  in cleaning and/or backwash cycles.
FILTER ELEMENT - A device within a filter tank designed to
				  entrap solids and conduct water to a manifold collection header, pipe or
				  similar conduit. Filter elements usually consist of a septum and septum
				  support.
PERMANENT FILTER MEDIA: A finely graded material (such as
				  sand, anthracite, etc.) which removes filterable particles from the
				  water.
FILTER AID: A type of finely divided medium used to coat a
				  septum type filter, usually diatomaceous earth, processed perlite or similar
				  material.
FILTRATION FLOW - The rate of flow, in volume per time (GPM,
				  GPH), through the filter system installed per manufacturer's instructions with
				  new clean media.
FILTRATION RATE - The rate of filtration of water through a
				  filter during the filter cycle expressed in U.S. gallons per minute per square
				  foot of effective filter area.
HEAD - A basic measurement of pressure or resistance in a
				  hydraulic system which is equivalent to the height of the column of water which
				  would cause the same resistance. The total head is the sum of all the
				  resistance in an operating system (energy per unit weight of flowing
				  fluid).
HOOP - A circumferential constraint that prohibits the
				  reaction to the pressure tending to separate the staves in hot tubs.
HYDROJET - A fitting which blends air and water creating a
				  high velocity, turbulent stream of air-enriched water.
LINER - That membrane that acts as a container for the
				  water.
EXPANDABLE LINER: A liner that is constructed of a material
				  that has the capability of stretching into a depth or shape other than the
				  original construction dimensions.
HOPPER LINER: The liner that is used to obtain greater depth
				  by geometrical pattern construction of the liner bottom to fit a predetermined
				  size or shape.
MULTIPORT VALVE - A separate switching valve with a separate
				  position for each of the various filter operations. This valve combines in one
				  unit the functions of several direct-flow valves.
NEPHELOMETRIC TURBIDITY UNITS (NTU's) - A measure of water
				  clarity.
OVERFLOW SYSTEM - A system which collects overflowing water,
				  including perimeter type overflows, surface skimmers, surface water collection
				  systems or weirs of various design.
PINCHING HAZARD - Any configuration of components that would
				  pinch or entrap the fingers or toes of a child or adult.
POOLS -
ABOVE-GROUND SPA/HOT TUB: A pool of any shape that is deeper
				  than 24" (61 cm) or holds more than 2,500 gallons of water or has a water
				  surface area in excess of 150 square feet. The above-ground pool is located
				  entirely above-ground (i.e., with no excavated portions) and has a constant
				  depth.
IN-GROUND SPA/HOT TUB: Any spa/hot tub/pool whose sides
				  reside partially or fully below the natural ground level.
NON-PERMANENTLY INSTALLED SPA/HOT TUB: Any pool that is so
				  constructed that it may be readily disassembled for storage and reassembled to
				  its original integrity.
ON-GROUND SPA/HOT TUB: Any pool whose sides rest fully above
				  the surrounding earth and which has a deep area below ground level.
PERMANENTLY INSTALLED SPA/HOT TUB: One that is constructed in
				  the ground, or in a building, in such manner that the pool cannot be readily
				  disassembled for storage.
PUBLIC SPAS AND HOT TUBS - Artificial structures containing
				  water and designed to direct water or air enriched water under pressure onto a
				  person's body for recreational and therapeutic purposes. Public spas and hot
				  tubs may include hydrojet circulation, hot water, cold water mineral baths, air
				  induction bubbles, or some combination thereof and are not drained, cleaned or
				  refilled for each user. Public spas and hot tubs include units operated by an
				  owner, lessee, operator, licensee, or concessionaire, regardless of whether a
				  fee is charged for use. Public spas and hot tubs may be individual units or may
				  be integrated into a larger swimming pool or bathing pool. Spas and hot tubs
				  are differentiated by the following definitions.
SPAS - Units of irregular or geometric shell design usually
				  formed of plastic, concrete, metals or other materials. Industry terminology
				  for a spa includes, but is not limited to, the terms "therapeutic pool,"
				  "hydrotherapy pool", "whirlpool," "hot spa" and "hot tub."
HOT TUBS - Units constructed of wood with sides and bottoms
				  formed separately, and the whole shaped to join together by pressure from the
				  surrounding hoops, bands or rods.
RECESSED STEPS - A riser/tread or series of risers/treads
				  extending down from the deck with the bottom riser/tread terminating at the
				  spa/hot tub tub/pool wall, thus creating a "stairwell."
RECESSED TREADS - A series of vertically spaced cavities in
				  the spa/hot tub/pool wall creating tread areas for stepholes.
REMOVABLE - Capable of being taken away from the main unit
				  with the use of only simple tools, such as a screwdriver, pliers or
				  wrench.
ROD - See Hoop.
SEPTUM - That part of the filter element consisting of cloth,
				  wire screen or other porous material on which the filter medium or aid is
				  deposited.
SPA OR HOT TUB ESTABLISHMENT - A public facility whose
				  primary business is the rental of time in public hot tubs or spas within the
				  confines of the space owned, leased or rented by the business ownership.
SPRAY RINSE, MECHANICAL - A spray system which directs a
				  stream of water against the filter surface, causing the filter aid and
				  accumulated dirt to dislodge into the empty tank.
SHOCK TREATMENT - This refers to raising the residual
				  disinfectant level to 10 ppm or more for several hours.
TAMPERPROOF - A condition in which tools are required to
				  alter or remove portions of the equipment.
TREAD CONTACT SURFACE - Foot contact surfaces of ladder,
				  step, stair or ramp.
TURNOVER - The period of time (usually in hours) required to
				  circulate a volume of water equal to the pool capacity. The TURNOVER RATE is
				  the number of times a quantity of water equal to the pool capacity passes
				  through the filters in a stated time (usually in turnovers per day).
WATER LINE - The water line shall be defined in one of the
				  following ways:
a. Skimmer System -
				The water line is the midpoint of the operating range of the
				skimmers.
b. Overflow System - The
				water line is the height of the overflow rim.