Via APSP.com
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) reminds residential pool and spa owners they could be putting their families and friends at risk with pools and spas that don’t meet federal safety criteria.
“Residential backyard pools and spas should meet federal safety standards laid out in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act,” said APSP Vice President of Technical & Standards Carvin DiGiovanni. “While commercial pools are covered under this Act, residential pools and spas could be vulnerable.”
How can owners make sure their pool and spa is safe and get peace of mind?
The best way to find out if your pool is in compliance is to find a local APSP Certified Professional who is knowledgeable in The International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC). This code, a joint effort between APSP and the International Code Council, meets and exceeds federal safety standards and applies it to residential pools and spas.
“Having your pool or spa inspected and brought into compliance with the ISPSC is a great way to ensure it’s safe for you and your family and friends,” said DiGiovanni.
For various reasons, states and local jurisdictions are slow to write and adopt similar safety standards for residential pools and spas. “To address this vacuum, industry professionals and code officials put a lot of effort into creating the ISPSC with the APSP Standards to protect residential pools and spas.
“We want to make sure everyone is able to enjoy swimming pools and spas safely and avoid any preventable tragedies. One of APSP’s biggest priorities is to get local jurisdictions to adopt the 2015 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code to ensure that all pools and spas meet federal safety standards,” DiGiovanni added.
Find a local APSP Certified Professional to inspect your pool or spa by visiting APSP.org/MemberLocator.