Facility access
The U.S. Department of Justice has broadened its reach to include swimming pools, wading pools and spas defined as a ‘place of public accommodation’ in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Signed into law on July 23, 2010, full compliance to the new regulations was required in March.
The ADA is a comprehensive civil rights law with specific accessibility guidelines for newly constructed and altered facilities south of the border. All pools and spas that serve the public must comply with the rulings or the facility will face censure and fines for not providing appropriate means of access.
While many larger aquatic institutions have previously modified pool and spa areas to accommodate people with disabilities, most of the smaller facilities, such as hotels and motels, refrained from spending the resources. Thus, people who need assistance entering and exiting pools and spas have been shut out. The new law assures all people, despite their disability, are able to enjoy all aquatic facilities.
The new guidelines base equipment requirements on the size of a pool/spa’s perimeter. For instance, one means of access—either a lift or sloped entry—is mandated for pools/spas with a perimeter less than 91.4 m (300 ft). Perimeters larger than 91.4 m (300 ft) require two means of access. Detailed information on compliance requirements can be found by visiting deck equipment and pool lift equipment websites.
U.S. pool professionals must be prepared to answer questions from public pool management as to what needs to be done to comply with the standards.
Energy efficiency
In August 2011, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) adopted a new energy standard for residential swimming pools, American National Standard for Residential Swimming Pool and Spa Energy Efficiency (American National Standards Institute [ANSI]/APSP/ International Code Council [ICC]-15 2011). The new standard is based on improving the energy efficiency of swimming pool pumps/motors as well as other aspects of hydraulics such as pipe sizing. Pool professionals should be up to speed on the standard in order to meet new residential construction and renovations requirements.
Numerous states have also incorporated new energy standards into their building codes. For instance, the California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Appliance Efficiency Regulations, (California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Sections 1601) attracted the attention of the pool/spa industry and equipment manufacturers, while the Florida Energy & Conservation Code for residential pools requires all circulating pump motors larger than one horsepower be replaced with a two-speed or variable-speed pump. The standard includes sizing parameters and pipe diameter as related to flow rate as well as mandated all heat pumps to have a coefficient of performance (COP) of four or greater. Further, fossil fuel/gas heaters must have 78 per cent minimum fuel efficiency with no standing pilot lights, while all heaters must have an outside on/off switch. To reduce heat evaporation, there is also a clause requiring covers to be installed on inground spas and heated pools (liquid pool heat chemicals are included as acceptable method of heat retention). Pool/spa contractors had to comply with this new code in March.
In Canada, the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC) released its recommended guidelines for Energy Conservation Opportunities for Pools, Spas and Water Features (G-0310). These guidelines were released in 2010 and were drafted by the PHTCC’s Energy Conservation Committee to serve as reference documents for consumers and as guiding principles for pool/spa manufacturers, builders, contractors and regulatory authorities across the country.
Some will say the pool/spa industry is being over-regulated, while others embrace their role in helping owners reduce energy usage and expense. A number of provinces/states and local utilities are encouraging pool and spa owners to purchase newer, energy-efficient equipment and some are offering rebates.
Industry professionals should attend the numerous energy-efficiency seminars offered throughout the year to learn about the new energy smart pool/spa equipment that is available, as well as to discover the regional rebate programs available.
