Home | News | Press Releases | International Swimming Pool and Spa Code to Become Law in Maryland
The code will strengthen pool and spa safety and efficiency statewide
(Annapolis, MD) – Governor Larry Hogan announced that House Bill 303 will become law in Maryland and greatly advance swimming pool and spa safety and efficiency throughout the state. House Bill 303, sponsored by Delegate Dana Stein (District 11, Baltimore County) and Senator Cory McCray (District 45, Baltimore City), will require Maryland to use the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as the new minimum standard, effective December 31, 2023, for building swimming pools and spas.
The adoption of the ISPSC enhances the safety and efficiency of pools and spas by applying a consistent, uniform construction and safety code that is based on proven best practices for drowning prevention and energy efficiency. The ISPSC is currently used in over 30 states in the U.S., including Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey.
“On behalf of the industry and a diverse coalition of supporters, we applaud the General Assembly and Governor Hogan for passing and enacting HB 303,” said Justin Wiley, PHTA Vice President of Government Relations, Standards and Codes. “This safety-focused law takes a significant step toward modernizing Maryland’s building codes and standards for swimming pools and spas.”
House Bill 303 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House of Delegates and the Senate. The bill was supported by the International Code Council, Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and a coalition of businesses, regulators, first responders and safety professionals, including the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Building Officials Association, the Maryland Fire Marshal Committee, the Maryland State Firefighter’s Association and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
“This adoption ensures a safe and comprehensive code for the design and construction of swimming pools in Maryland,” said Frank Quillen, President of the Maryland Building Officials Association. “The ISPSC coordinates with the other building safety codes adopted in Maryland to create a consistent regulatory framework for both building safety professionals and for builders.”
The legislation requires the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt the ISPSC as a baseline code for the state and allows for local jurisdictions to enforce and amend the code as necessary. More importantly, the ISPSC correlates with local laws and regulations that are already established.
“The adoption, implementation and enforcement of modern codes and standards play an important role in keeping communities safe, resilient and affordable” said Gabe Maser, Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations. “The Code Council commends Maryland for the adoption of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and their efforts to ensure the state is using the most up-to-date safety and efficiency standards.”
The signing and implementation of House Bill 303 will afford all jurisdictions access to grants for training on the ISPSC under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA). The VGBA is a United States law named after Virginia Graeme Baker, who died after sustaining a pool suction-drain injury in June 2002. It is incorporated as Title 14 of the U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA Title 14, Pub.L. 110-140). This act became enforceable law on December 19, 2008.
The incorporation of the ISPSC in Maryland will follow the same process the state already uses for most building codes in practice, such as the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) which are enforced and amended by the counties.
“The PHTA Mid-Atlantic Chapter is happy to see that Governor Hogan is allowing the ISPSC to become law. This will help to improve safety around public and private pools and spas across the great state of Maryland,” said Brian St. Clair, President of the PHTA Mid-Atlantic chapter. “The public can find comfort in knowing that the ISPSC will hold companies to the highest safety standards, helping to reduce drownings, ER visits, and accidents around pools. It will also help to consolidate code compliance for new construction and renovations of pools and spas, helping to streamline the building process for local companies. Thank you, Governor Hogan, for helping to keep Marylanders safe while enjoying the pools and spas across this wonderful state!”
You can view the 2021 ISPSC Digital Code here.
PSP/Deck Expo opens its Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge
Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at mtrusty@poolmagazine.com.
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Five finalists, including one young professional, will be selected to receive a trip to PSP/Deck Expo 2022 and vie for a first-time ever $10,000 prize, provided by Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems. The finalists will present their design solutions to their peers during an on-floor education session.
Las Vegas, Nevada (June 7, 2022) – The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo, co-located with Deck Expo (PSP/Deck Expo) has opened submissions for its design competition. The Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge offers pool designers the opportunity to create a mock outdoor living area, with a minimum $1 million budget. For the first time, designers can win a top prize of $10,000 thanks to Lead Sponsor, Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems.
Reid Schindler and Mike Farley, both with a degree in landscape architecture and a combined background of over 50 years of award-winning pool design experience, are teaming up with PSP/Deck Expo for the fourth time to discover the industry’s top designers.
The design competition is now accepting submissions, at: https://www.themilliondollarpoolchallenge.com. The deadline to submit is September 18. Five finalists, including a young professional (under 30 years of age), will be named in early fall.
The finalists will each receive a complimentary Super Pass, travel stipend and two-night stay in Las Vegas and will participate in the Million Dollar Pool Finalist session within the conference program, where they will each present their designs. Live voting during the session will determine the winner of the challenge, who will be named at the conclusion of the session.
“Get ready to make your mark on the pool design industry,” said Farley. “We’re looking for bold ideas that exemplify a designer’s creativity, along with a viable plan to create their pool vision.”
PSP/Deck Expo takes place November 15–17, 2022, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada. Pre-show education occurs November 12–14, with the main conference education and expo hall happening November 15–17.
The clients are two lawyers – a husband and wife – who live in Chicago, Illinois. They are seeking a nice setting for their home, which has a lower terrace area, front approach, and rooftop terrace. Their goals for the space are health, wellness, and self-care. The space will be used seasonally; as a Chicago-based project, the designer should consider wind, sun direction, and shade. The couple will entertain six to 12 guests maximum.
“This is a great opportunity for designers at every level to get the recognition that they deserve,” said Schindler. “We’re looking for designers that can combine the perfect amount of form and function while keeping the homeowners’ wants and needs in the forefront of their design.”
Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems is the lead sponsor of the Million Dollar Pool Design Challenge.
“Designing with Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems unlocks many facets,” said Phil de Tournillon, Vice President, Riverflow Pumps by Current Systems. “From exercise with swim current to fun and adventure with lazy river current or whitewater current while having a small design footprint.” Additional sponsors are Ledge Lounger, EstimCad, Pool Magazine, and the PHTA WAVE Young Professionals Network.
The winning designers will take home a cash prize of:
One of the five spots is guaranteed to a young professional (Age 29 or below at time of submission), whose trip to PSP/Deck Expo will be sponsored by PHTA WAVE Young Professionals Network.
PSP/Deck Expo brings together builders, service techs, retailers and distributors. Thousands of members from the pool, spa, patio, decking and outdoor living community attend PSP/Deck Expo to engage with the latest products and services and to network. These interactions come in the form of new and existing connections, education sessions, demonstrations and more.
PSP/Deck Expo actively collaborates across the entire pool, spa, backyard, and decking industries to provide participants the most comprehensive array of networking, education, and technology available. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is the official Show Sponsor, GENESIS® is the official Show Endorser, Pool and Spa News (PSN) is the official Show Publication, and the North American Decking and Railing Association (NADRA) is the Deck Expo Show Sponsor.
For more information, visit https://www.themilliondollarpoolchallenge.com, and to directly submit, visit https://forms.gle/wxBqBJbKjGpGDb239.
About the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo™, co-located with Deck Expo The International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo™, co-located with Deck Expo is where all segments of the industry (pool, spa, patio, decking, and outdoor living) gather to stay well-informed of the trends, market directions, and technology. The event offers industry professionals a large selection of educational sessions, an expo hall, and various networking opportunities. The event partners with The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) as the official Show Sponsor, GENESIS® as the official Show Endorser, Pool and Spa News (PSN) as the official Show Publication, and the North American Deck & Railing Association (NADRA) as the official Show Sponsor of Deck Expo. The event is owned and produced by Informa Markets. www.poolspapatio.com
About Informa Markets Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world’s leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com
Specialty Lighting Business grows Hayward’s product line both in and around the pool
CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) (“Hayward” or the “Company”), a global designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a broad portfolio of pool equipment and technology, announced today the acquisition of the specialty lighting business of Halco Lighting Technologies (“Halco”).
Halco’s specialty lighting business includes a robust portfolio of lighting solutions serving the residential and commercial pool, spa, fountain, and landscape lighting market segments. The products are recognized as industry leaders in their respective categories and includes established lighting brands such as ColorSplash®, J&J ElectronicsTM, PureWhite®, and Sollos®. The acquisition reinforces Hayward’s leadership and commitment to the pool and spa lighting business and marks another step in the Company’s entry into the landscape and bulb market.
“We’re excited to bring these lighting platforms into our business and provide customers with the ability to control even more of their outdoor living space in the palm of their hand by leveraging Hayward’s leading OmniLogic® automation technology,” said Kevin Holleran, CEO of Hayward. “I’m proud of the Company’s ongoing innovation, and our ability to continue to leverage Omni® through the integration of smart, connected products to deliver ambiance and comfort with our simple to use Omni App. Consumers are excited about unique options to enhance their outdoor oasis.”
OmniLogic, Hayward’s cloud-based pool and spa automation platform, has long set the industry standard for pool control and management—including integration with voice-enabled devices (via Amazon® Alexa® and Google Assistant®). OmniLogic plays a central role in Hayward’s innovative SmartPad™ collection of connected equipment, which has been an area of rapid development and growth for the Company in recent years.
“We are proud and excited to see the business enter its next chapter of growth and expansion under Hayward’s ownership,” said Chris Chickanosky, CEO of Halco Lighting Technologies.
This acquisition builds upon Hayward’s strong growth momentum, following the earlier announced acquisitions of Water Works, SmartPower™ and SmartValve. Hayward’s portfolio of technology and products is working to deliver more sustainable, energy-efficient and easy to use solutions for the outdoor space.
About Hayward Holdings, Inc. Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HAYW) is a leading global designer and manufacturer of pool equipment and technology all key to the SmartPad conversion strategy designed to provide a superior outdoor living experience. Hayward offers a full line of innovative, energy-efficient and sustainable residential and commercial pool equipment, including a complete line of advanced pumps, filters, heaters, automatic pool cleaners, LED lighting, internet of things (IoT) enabled controls, alternate sanitizers and water features.
NEW Jandy® TruDose™ provides advanced technologies to properly maintain pool chemical levels
SAN DIEGO – May, 2022 – Fluidra, a leading manufacturer of innovative, energy-efficient pool equipment, introduces the new Jandy TruDose Chemical Controller — engineered to automatically keep pool water consistently balanced.
Driven by a goal of making pool maintenance easier and more efficient for pool owners and pool professionals alike, TruDose succeeds with a solution that eliminates the ‘peaks and valleys’ of inconsistent water chemistry.
Using advanced pH and ORP sensing technologies, TruDose constantly monitors levels as water flows through the pool’s plumbing. If pH is high, the built-in peristaltic pump dispenses enough muriatic acid to bring levels down to a desired setpoint (typically between 7.2 to 7.6), helping to prevent pH spikes.
Adding to the easy factor, TruDose is capable of convenient chlorine maintenance as well. Tailored to work with the Jandy AquaPure® salt chlorinator, it senses when ORP is low and activates the salt chlorinator in response. Once ORP levels have reached the desired setpoint, TruDose signals the salt chlorinator to turn off to stop chlorine production.
When pH and ORP reach their setpoints, TruDose stops dosing, but continues to monitor the levels to ensure a clean, safe and more comfortable swimming pool experience. As a safeguard, TruDose features an integrated flow switch so it only doses chemicals when there is water flowing through the system, however it continues to monitor the levels even when no flow is detected. And regardless of weather, pool use or water loss, TruDose maintains proper pH and chlorine levels based on actual demand—so there’s no need to adjust settings from season to season.
“TruDose helps prevent any wild fluctuations in chemistry because it consistently doses as needed,” says Mara McCartney, senior product manager — water care. “This means, pool owners can have peace of mind that their pool will maintain a steady pH and ORP, even between service visits.”
Designed for reduced installation time, TruDose comes pre-mounted and plugs into an ordinary weatherproof GFCI outlet. Setup is just as simple with a large LED readout that’s easy to program.
As part of Fluidra’s Trade Series Exclusive Policy prohibiting the sale of all Jandy equipment online, TruDose is for sale only by brick-and-mortar dealers and are not available for resale on the Internet. Pool professionals are encouraged to contact their local Fluidra representative for information or visit jandy.com/products/trudose. (temporary link)
Fluidra is a publicly listed company focused on developing innovative products, services and IoT solutions for the residential and commercial pool markets, globally. The company operates in over 45 countries and owns a portfolio of some of the industry’s most recognized and trusted brands, including Jandy®, Polaris®, CMP, Taylor Water Technologies, S.R. Smith and Zodiac®. To learn more about Fluidra, visit fluidrausa.com or call 800-822-7933.
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