The APSP, a national organization that represents pool, hot tub,
and spa manufacturers, has announced its newly revised standard
for public swimming pools.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has announced its newly revised standard for public swimming pools in time for National Water Safety Month (May), and is offering it free to public health officials
across the country.

To complement this offering, APSP is also bundling its public pool and spa water quality standard free of charge. With these two standards, public health officials now have a complete package for public pool design and construction standards and water quality standards.

Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/APSP/International Code Council (ICC)-1 2014 Standard for Public Swimming Pools features significant changes that will impact pool builders, installers and pool operators nationwide and protect those who use and enjoy public pools. The ANSI/APSP-11 2009 Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas provides recommended minimum guidelines for pool and spa water quality and chemistry in public pools and spas.

"In the interest of public safety, we are offering public health officials a free copy of these important standards so they have the most up-to-date information to protect the public in an aquatic environment," said Carvin DiGiovanni, APSP senior director, technical & standards. "I encourage officials to register for their free copies at APSP.org/PublicPoolStandards."

The new standard covers public swimming pools used for swimming, bathing, competitive activities or recreational activities that are operated by an owner, lessee, operator, licensee or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for use. Public swimming pools covered by this Standard include class A (competition pools), B (Any pool intended for public recreational use not otherwise classified), C, (hotels, motels and condominiums) and F (wading) pools.

The ANSI/APSP/ICC-1 2014 is different from its 2003 predecessor in that the revised version addresses advanced technology, safety, and an improved understanding of best practices for constructing and renovating public swimming pools.

Several major changes include an updated Appendix A on the Chemical Operational Parameters; a new Appendix B, "Water Velocity Limits" that describes how to determine the water velocity requirements of a public pool to achieve maximum performance safety and energy efficiency; and an expanded section on wading pools.

"This latest revision spans 23 years as an ANSI approved standard whose time tested requirements have been adopted in part or in total by various state and local health departments," said DiGiovanni. "The design and construction practices in this standard are based upon sound engineering principles, research, and field experience, that when applied properly, contribute to the delivery and installation of a safe pool for the public to enjoy for generations to come."

Public health officials can register for their free copies of the standards at APSP.org/PublicPoolStandards. Others who want to purchase the standards may do so by visiting APSP.org/Store.

For more information about the APSP, please visit apsp.org.

Association news and events are listed at landscapearchitect.com. To view the calendar of upcoming events, visit www.landscapearchitect.com, go to the Associations/Events" tab and click on "Search for Events."

If your association has news and/or events that you would like featured on landscapearchitect.com, please send your information via email to associations@landscapearchitect.com.