The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance celebrated its 40th anniversary as a standards-developer by announcing that the ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017, American National Standard for Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblys for Use in Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs, was being reviewed and revised. Also, ANSI/APSP/ICC-1 American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools was also announced and called for expert participation in the Standard Writing Committees. The APSP-1 Standard will be renamed as the PHTA/ICC-1 Standard For Public Pool and Spa Design Construction and Installation.
The SWCs will meet biweekly once they have been formed to discuss and revise the standards in preparation for consideration by PHTA’s ANSI consensus body. SME’s who wish to be part of an SWC need to be able and willing to participate in the language drafting process. They also need to have a working knowledge of the current standard. Interested parties, even if they are not SMEs or active users, are welcome to observe the revision process.
Stakeholders can apply for the PHTA-16 or PHTA-1 SWCs. These criteria aim to create a diverse SWC that ensures fair balance and does not allow for one interest group, individual, or organization to dominate. Priority will be given applicants with experience in applying, using and enforcing ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017, and ANSI/APSP/ICC-1 2014.
The PHTA-16 SWC will update the standard establishing materials and testing, product marking, and installation instructions governing product usage for new or replacement drain covers. This standard covers all bather-accessible Suction Outlet fitting assemblies that are intended to be fully submerged for the use in swimming pools.
This standard is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Standard, which is referenced in Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. Any revisions must be approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission prior to the revised standard being accepted as the successor standard for ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017. It is up to the CPSC to decide if the proposed changes are in public interest.
PHTA-16 SWC is looking for SME participation from certifying organizations and registered design professionals who test, certify or have previously certified SOFAs according to the standard. Other key stakeholder groups include SOFA manufacturers, Authorities Having Jurisdiction, and installation professionals, who work closely alongside AHJs in order to ensure public pools’ suction systems comply with the standard.
The PHTA-1 SWC will update the standard establishing provisions that apply to the construction, modification, movement, renovation and replacement of public pools, public spas, and aquatic venues. This standard covers public pools and spas that are permanent or temporary. They are only permitted to be connected to a circulation network and are not intended for swimming, bathing, or wading.
PHTA-1 SWC is looking for SME participation from stakeholders that include building officials, contractors and pool service and maintenance providers as well as RDPs, engineers, RDPs and equipment manufacturers, distributors and retailers, chemical suppliers, instructors and trainers, standard organizations, and other interested parties.
All completed application forms must be submitted to PHTA no later than January 27, 2023. For more information, please visit the Participate In the Process webpage, phta.org/standards or email Genevieve Lynn, PHTA Program Director for Standards and Technical Services .
