November 2008 www.FloridaPoolPro.com Pool safety prevails as ICC adopts ANSI-7 Suction Entrapment Avoidance Standard On September 21, the at the recent ICC hearings providing said, “This victory is a major step for The standard provides that for International Code Council (ICC) voted testimony and support of the ANSI/ pool and spa safety. Adoption of the new construction a contractor has the to replace the existing pool and spa APSP-7 standard. standard into the IBC and IRC will option of building a pool or spa with entrapment avoidance language in Dan Johnson, Swim Inc., member provide states the means necessary properly confi gured multiple suction the International Building Code (public of Florida Swimming Pool Association to incorporate this new safety standard outlets, an unblockable suction outlet pools and spas) and the International and Association of Pool and Spa as Florida has done. The 2006 IBC or no suction outlet at all. These Residential Code (residential pool Professionals, said, “As a member of and IRC language protected against options are also recognized in the VGB and spas) by adopting the ANSI/ a very dedicated team of professionals some forms of entrapment SOME of Act. Finally, the standard requires that APSP-7 2006 Standard for Suction who worked very hard for a very long the time, the adoption of the ANSI-7 whenever a drain cover is broken or Entrapment Avoidance. Hundreds time to achieve this goal, I am proud standard will protect against all forms missing the pool or spa must be closed of code officials from all over the and honored to have been a part of of entrapment ALL of the time.” to bathers. Some forms of entrapment country listened to testimony and it. My children's children will swim in The result of both the recent can occur even when the circulation voted overwhelmingly to support safer pools because of what we have ICC action and 2007 FBC adoption pump is off, approved drain covers these changes. As a result, the ANSI/ done.” of the ANSI/APSP-7 standard is a are the ONLY way to prevent all fi ve APSP-7 standard will be incorporated In speaking with code offi cials major improvement in pool and spa forms of entrapment, as there is no into the body (mandatory section) of from across the country, three major safety. The adoption of the standard such thing as a backup to a broken the 2009 International Building Code facts persuaded them to adopt the strengthens the IBC, IRC, and Florida or missing cover. The importance of (IBC) and in Appendix G of the 2009 ANSI/APSP-7 standard into the Building Code to make them more covers is also recognized in section International Residential Code (IRC), IBC and IRC. First, the standard stringent than existing codes. The 1404 of the VGB Act and the June both scheduled for publication by the provides protection against all fi ve IBC and IRC codes will now require 18 CPSC fi nal staff interpretation on ICC early in 2009. known forms of entrapment with covers that meet the new 2007 section 1404, both of which prohibit This achievement validates the technically supported solutions. ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 drain cover the operation of a public pool unless action taken by the Florida Building Second, it had already undergone a standard, as required by the VGB 2007 ASME approved drain covers Commission (FBC) to adopt the rigorous ANSI consensus approval Act. The 2007 ASME drain cover are in place. ANSI/APSP-7 standard into the 2007 process, the leading organization for standard requires improved fastening The 2006 IBC and IRC codes Florida Building Code, which goes the national consensus standards to prevent covers from coming loose, provided no protection against into effect March 1, 2009. Before the community. Third, the standard is improved resistance to degradation hair entrapment, evisceration or ANSI/APSP-7 standard was adopted completely consistent with the Federal from ultraviolet light and prevention mechanical entrapment. The 2009 IBC into the Florida code, FBC members Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa of hair entrapment (the leading cause and IRC, along with the 2007 Florida and code offi cials worked for over two Safety Act (VGB Act) and Consumer of entrapment) and evisceration. The Building Code, are now designed to years analyzing the standard for its Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulation of water velocity is also prevent ALL forms of entrapment, ALL technical merit and its enforceability. interpretations of the VGB Act. achieved by the adoption of ANSI/ of the time. This outcome was the Members of the Building Officials Jennifer Hatfi eld, FSPA Director APSP-7; this is the most important result of a tremendous team effort by Association of Florida were on hand of Government & Public Affairs, protection against hair entrapment. the work of the Association of Pool Continued on page 5 Don’t forget to News Splash vote • President’s Column: Dominick’s last column as president takes a November 4! look at the steps the FSPA has taken since 2004. Page 2 • Get out the vote: History shows that one vote can make a difference. Support those who support the pool industry with your vote. Page 5 • FSPA member appointed to CILB: Roy Lenois, Artesian Pools of East Florida, has been appointed by the Governor as the pool contractor on the CILB. Page 6 he Scoop on Service: Contacting banks and real estate agents to • T 34240 Florida Sarasota, 2555 Porter Lake Drive, Suite 106 Suite Drive, Lake Porter 2555 offer service plans for foreclosed homes that have pools can benefi t 18 # PERMIT Florida Swimming Pool Association Pool Swimming Florida 34260 your business now and in the future. Page 10 Florida MANASOTA, PAID U.S. POSTAGE U.S. FIRST CLASS FIRST PRE-SORT 2 Florida Pool Prosm • November 2008 New Member Ap pli ca tions President's Column Where are we now? Florida West Coast As my box to come up with a new structure term as Pre- to provide those services. Florida Pool Pros (Builder/Installer) CPC1457640 sident of the This is my last article as your Kurt & Rose Kucera FSPA draws President; two years have gone by to a close, it fast. I will replace Scott Egglefi eld, seemed ap- Mirasol Fafco Solar, as Past Space Coast propriate to President as we welcome Alan refl ect on the Cooper, Alan Cooper Consulting, At Your Pool Service, LLC (Provisional - Service Company) CPC1457741 challenges as our new President. The makeup Erik Thompson and opportuni- of the Executive Committee has ties of the last been changed slightly by the revised Dominick Montanaro several years. bylaws. The National Vice President Central Florida Coast FSPA President I pulled out my position has been eliminated and two notes from our Strategic Planning At-Large Directors have been added. Amenity Pools & Spas, LLC (Builder/Installer) CPC1457372 session that was held February 13, The rest of the Executive Committee William Lang 2004 with Rich Maladecki and to is Vice President Clay Andrews, my surprise several items became Aquapool of Jacksonville, Inc.; apparent as I reviewed it. We are Treasurer Eva Adcock, Best Pools of If you have actual knowledge of any grounds why the above companies do not moving in the right direction! Brevard; Secretary Keith Johnson, meet FSPA criteria, contact the Chapter Director in writing • We are a stand alone Pool Works; and At-Large Directors organization with an active Builders Richard Moseley, Champagne and Service Councils, many Pools of Central Florida, and Pete educational opportunities and a strong Coccaro Jr., Nautilus Pools, Inc. Board and staff. I look forward to working with all • The lack of focus on of them but will miss having Steve government relations was our top Bludsworth, All-Pool Service & weakness in 2004 and is now one of Supply, Inc., and Scott Egglefi eld, our strongest attributes. The last two Mirasol Fafco Solar, as part of our years have proven we are a player crew. in the regulatory arena locally, at the I will miss my conversations with state level and the national level. Wendy Parker as she updated me on • A seat on the Florida Building the pressing issues of the day. Wendy Commission had been identified truly loves her role as our Executive as an opportunity and today it is a Director. I appreciate all the help the reality, and we continue to work on a staff in Sarasota offi ce has given me license for water treatment and pool and the professionalism they have cleaning. brought to our Association. I have The economy in 2004 was enjoyed working with Kari Hebrank, good and we grew our membership, FSPA lobbyist, and Jennifer Hatfi eld, but today’s scenario is different. Director of Government & Public Business as usual has been replaced Affairs, on the many issues we with being creative, cautious and handled the last two years. sometimes daring. We are not The friendships I have made operating under the old rules. Your since coming on the Board in January business is surviving because you of 2000 will always be special. I are taking drastic measures to ensure thank all of you for helping make me its viability. a better person. I have enjoyed the We are doing the same at FSPA. opportunity to give back to the industry We are identifying the changing that has provided my livelihood for 30 sm needs of our members and seeking years. I appreciate all your support Florida Pool Pro opportunities to provide those services and friendship and will continue to Published monthly by the Florida Swimming Pool Association in the most economic way.