PHTA Issues Call for Participation on New Elevated Pools, Spas, and Other Aquatic Venues Standard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2021

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

PHTA Issues Call for Participation on New Elevated Pools, Spas, and Other Aquatic Venues Standard

(Alexandria, Va.) - The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has issued a call for participation on a PHTA-10 Standard Writing Committee (SWC) to develop a new PHTA/ICC-10 Standard for Elevated Pools, Spas, and Other Aquatic Venues Integrated into a Building or Structure for approval by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum guidelines to provide a reasonable level of safety and protection to the structure into which the pool or spa is integrated. Safety and protection of health and public welfare are regulated by the applicable pool and spa codes and standards that control the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, and maintenance or use of pools and spas.

Elevated pools and spas are integrated into a structure over an occupiable space, they are a subsystem of the structure, and they shall be designed to interface with other building subsystems to reduce the risk of damage and undesirable impacts. Among other criteria, the design shall include a water-containment means that is accessible for maintenance.

“Elevated pools are a subsystem of existing building systems (structural, electrical, water management, etc.), and for this reason they must be properly integrated into those systems. When this doesn't happen, serious damage will result from failures such as leaks. An elevated pool and spa standard will protect the pool and the building that hosts it, as well as architects, engineers, property owners, building occupants, contractors, pool installers, developers, and insurance companies by eliminating the root cause of the most common failures,” said PHTA-10 SWC Co-Chair Mark Trapani of Upstream Pools. He and Co-Chair Derek Downey of LegalPools.com will lead the project.

“PHTA is seeking subject matter experts who are willing to share their knowledge and experience to develop this new standard which will have an impact on the industry and the general public,” said PHTA Manager of Standards Genevieve Lynn. “Committee members will bring their unique perspectives to write language for the standard.”

All stakeholders, including designers, manufacturers, builders, installers, operators, service companies of swimming pools and spas, regulatory bodies, building code officials, public health officials, and consumers are invited to apply for the PHTA-10 SWC for Elevated Pools, Spas, and Other Aquatic Venues Integrated into a Building or Structure.

Application forms are due to PHTA by April 22, 2021 and may be sent to standards@phta.org. For more information, visit the Standards Department page or email PHTA Manager of Standards Genevieve Lynn at glynn@phta.org.

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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.