The Northeast pool/spa industry has seen a couple legislative and regulatory issues go its way.
In New York, a code that many found unmanageable has been overturned. It required that portable spas be safeguarded with the same kind of fencing or other safety measures required on pools. A new law now says that locking covers are sufficient to meet safety requirements, as it is in 49 states.
“New York [said it was] trying to go over and above,” said Dominick Mondi, executive director of the Northeast Spa and Pool Association. “But we argued that it actually didn’t make anything safer and it just made the experience worse.”
The agency managing implementation of the new law has not yet decided when it goes into effect. Mondi expects the change to take place by the end of the year.
In addition to the change in New York, the state of Connecticut has adopted the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
The writing of ISPSC is coordinated by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and complies with ANSI guidelines and protocol.
“We support the ISPSC as the preferred pool code for construction,” Mondi said. “What it means for members in the region is more continuity across state lines. It makes it easier to keep everybody on the same page.”
