NSF develops swim spa protocol

by MODE, ignore | October 10, 2012 7:31 pm

NSF International’s new swim spa protocol will evaluate the performance, and health and safety of every component.

NSF International has developed a new comprehensive protocol for swim spas, which evaluates the performance, and health and safety of every component.

The protocol, Component Certification Specification (CSS)-11804: Component Certification Specification for Public Use Spa, Swim Spa, Hot Tub or Related Equipment, incorporates requirements from 16 different national pool and spa safety and quality standards, including NSF/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 50 to simplify the evaluation process for swim spas. It includes testing and evaluation criteria in the following areas:

• Performance: Evaluates the durability, strength, and chemical resistance of the spa shell and other components.

• Material: Verifies that water contact materials meet regulations for corrosion resistance, toxicological health and safety, and do not leach harmful contaminants into the swim spa water.

• Accessibility and safety: Tests the effectiveness of safety features such as floor-and-step slip resistance, step dimensions, depth markings, handholds, and railings.

• Filtration and water chemistry: Ensures the chemical treatment, water skimming, and particulate filtration systems perform at a high level and effectively filter contaminants.

• Suction fittings and systems: Tests the entire swim current or exercise system for entrapment safety. This includes verifying that suction vacuum release systems and suction fittings are compliant with ANSI/Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) 16, as mandated by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

“This protocol marks another milestone for NSF in the recreational water industry as it is the first to incorporate requirements from more than 16 national standards and test protocols to create one comprehensive standard for the performance, and health and safety of spas and swim spas,” said Dave Purkiss, general manager of NSF International’s water division. “This new protocol will clarify and simplify the required evaluation and testing process for product manufacturers and better meet the needs of recreational water facility operators and health officials.”

NSF International will propose CCS-11804 as an addition to NSF/ANSI Standard 50: Equipment for Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Other Recreational Water Facilities, the American national standard for pool and spa components, this year.

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/nsf-develops-swim-spa-protocol/