PHTA Invites Comments on Revised PHTA/ICC-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2020

Media Contact:
Janay Rickwalder, CAE
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
703-357-3918 | jrickwalder@phta.org

PHTA Invites Comments on Revised PHTA/ICC-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins

(Alexandria, Va.) - The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance is inviting public review and comments on the revision of ANSI/APSP/ICC-7 2013 American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance In Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins. Public review is an important part of the ANSI standards consensus development process.

The PHTA/ICC-7 standard outlines design and performance criteria for circulation systems. This includes components, devices and related technology installed to prevent entrapment hazards in residential and public swimming pools, wading pools, inground spas, infinity edge basins, infinity edge-type pools and catch pools, and aquatic recreation facilities. The standard applies to new and existing installations.

“When the 2013 Revision of the APSP/ANSI 7 Standard for Entrapment was released, the industry faced some challenges complying with it,” explains Kenneth Gregory, PHTA-7 SWC Chair and Compliance & Safety Manager of Pentair Water Quality Systems. “One of the main problems was in calculating the maximum flow for both commercial and residential pools. The 2020 revision of the APSP/ANSI 7 standard has addressed this issue and may others. Builders and Code Officials will find this version very clear and easy to follow. I am very proud of the work we have accomplished, and I feel the industry is going to be very pleased. This version will continue to improve safety.”

PHTA invites all pool and hot tub professionals, as well as non-industry members, to review the draft and submit comments for consideration. These comments will be included in the final published standard to be approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

According to the October 2^nd announcement published in Standards Action, all public review comments on the revised PHTA/ICC-7 standard are due on Friday, November 16, 2020. This is a required 45-day public review period.

To request an electronic copy of the draft standard revision for review and comment, please email standards@phta.org. All public review comments must be submitted to standards@phta.org no later than November 16, 2020.

For more information, please contact the standards department at standards@phta.org or call (703) 838-0083.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with nearly 3,500 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.