APSP National News

Our industry is constantly changing, and we like keeping our members updated on the most recent news and events. Support the IMPACT Act in Congress and Help Promote Swimming In 2007, a groundbreaking legislative initiative has come to fruition to get communities active and healthy through parks and recreation. By supporting the IMPACT Act in Congress (H.R. 2677), APSP members can help advance opportunities for swimming and other healthy lifestyles for all Americans. Public parks and recreation play a critical role in facilitating community wellness and quality of life. Learn how to take action to advance this initiative on Capitol Hill. MORE. Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative Gains Momentum Twenty-two leading hot tub manufacturers and suppliers have collectively pledged more than $300,000 to support the startup activities of a campaign with the mission “to develop and implement initiatives that promote and improve the consumer hot tub purchase and ownership experience in order to increase sales of hot tubs, related products, and services.” MORE. Connecticut Issues Suction Entrapment Interpretation One of the key provisions of a newly released interpretation from the state of Connecticut regarding suction entrapment language in the state code mirrors an important provision of the ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance, which states that there is no backup for a missing or damaged suction outlet cover/grate. APSP has been working diligently with members and the state of Connecticut to accurately clarify this language. MORE. House Approves Pool & Spa Safety Act; Senate Action Pending By unanimous consent, H.R. 1721, the House version of the Pool & Spa Safety Act, was approved by the House of Representatives on October 9. The bill approved is identical to the one approved earlier by the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection on July 31 and by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee on September 28. As reported previously, the Senate version of the bill, S. 1771, is awaiting floor action by the full Senate, expected by the end of October. Once passed by both Houses, differences in the two bills will have to be resolved by the two bodies, and APSP will be active in seeking an appropriate resolution prior to final passage. APSP Testimony Well-Received at Oregon Title 20 Hearing The August 15 edition of Industry Currents announced that Oregon had just signed into law an energy-efficiency bill (SB375) covering portable residential spas and hot tubs. The Oregon law is based on the California Energy Commission’s Title 20, a key formula of which is in debate. On October 23, APSP’s testimony at a hearing in Oregon about the Title 20 energy-efficiency standards was well-received by Oregon officials. The officials said they will adopt any clarifications that APSP can work out with California. John Kaufmann, the Oregon Hearing Officer, said that he wants to be kept informed about the APSP testing, and he said he appreciated APSP’s contribution in clarifying the testing protocol and setting appropriate standards for energy efficiency. MORE. APSP Energy Efficiency Position Statement  and  APSP 14, “American National Test Standard for Energy Efficiency of Self-Contained Portable Spas” . Technical Update on APSP 11, Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas At its October meeting, APSP’s Technical Committee cleared the APSP-11 draft standard, Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas, for the ANSI voting and public review process. The draft and ballot will be distributed to more than 40 individuals and organizations nationwide for the development of consensus to publish the standard as an American National Standard that can be adopted into code by state and local jurisdictions. To receive a review copy, contact Jeanette Smith. MORE. Update on Hot Tub Industry Growth Initiative Over 50 influential leaders of the hot tub industry representing manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and service professionals met in a session of the Hot Tub Council (HTC) of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) in San Diego on Thursday, September 20, 2007. MORE. On Bobvila.com: Chlorine-Free and Reduced Chlorine Pools A current article on Bobvila.com addresses the debated topic of chlorine use in swimming pools. This article follows a recent increase in conversations about chlorine in consumer media. Roy D. Vore, Ph.D., of DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise and a member of APSP’s Recreational Water Quality Committee, was interviewed for this story. Vore delivered a very positive statement on the necessity of chlorine for sanitization, in line with the APSP’s position on this topic. View the full article. For current APSP national news, visit www.apsp.org APSP members can also subscribe to "Industry Currents", a weekly e-newsletter, for industry professionals,  by contacting member services at memberservices@apsp.org Industry Publications National Pool and Spa News. Aqua Magazine Spa Living Spa Marketing Spa News WaterShapes         Pam Vinje Regional Manager Houston, TX, 77041   Phone:   281-807-7004 Fax:   832-565-1088 E-mail:   pvinje@APSP.org