We have been following the Model Aquatic Health Code closely since it’s very important to aquatic professionals, and to DEL with respect to ozone being a recommended secondary disinfection system.

But there are several efforts on-going right now that impose requirements and/or guidelines on commercial aquatics.  (And we are not even going into the 2008 Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, which has already imposed technical requirements on drain and circulation system designs.)

The 3 codes we are referring to here are the Model Aquatic Health Code, the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) Pool & Spa Code, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) binding pool accessibility requirements.  These codes are intended to make commercial pool and aquatic environments safer and more accessible.  The APSP guidelines extend to residential facilities, as well. We are not saying all these guidelines are necessarily worthy, but canny operators and owners need to be aware of them.  Safety is an ethical and liability issue.

MAHC – The Model Aquatic Health Code

Our audience is well aware of the MAHC. As of today, there has been no new module issued for public comment since the closure of comments on the Ventilation & Air Quality module on June 12.

The MAHC is the broadest effort to set public pool and spa best practice guidelines for a full range of management and design issues that affect the quality and safety of aquatic venues.  Every aquatic operator in the United States should bookmark this CDC page and visit it often.  We will continue to review and interpret this on-going effort.

APSP – The 2012 Pool & Spa Code

The first public version of this code was released early this year.  In cooperation with the International Code Council (ICC) the APSP has been working to create a national code for swimming pools and spas to form the basis for enforcement language that can be adopted by states.

The lengthy draft document (PDF opens in new window) includes a template for an ordinance and a timeline for code development.  It is scheduled to be published in March 2012.

The code is an exhaustive set of guidelines for the design, mechanical, siting, sanitizing, accessories, and occupancy of private and public pools. In fact, the code is so broad that even in 100 pages it does not include great depth on many of its topics.

Watch the development of this code with respect to its adoption by your state or states where you are commercially active.  Its real impact will happen in the legislative arena.

ADA – It’s Time to Comply

Note March 15, 2012 in your calendar.  That is the deadline for compliance with the ADA guidelines for aquatic facilities, swimming pools, wading pools and spas.  Both public and private facilities that are open to the general public are affected. We outlined the ADA requirements for pools in an earlier post.

Sanitation is Part of Every Best Practice

Whether a code component applies to sanitation directly or not, water quality is the crucial feature of any aquatic venue.  In the MAHC and APSP codes, sanitation is explicitly addressed, and in the MAHC it is at the very heart of the purpose of the code.

Ozone disinfection systems by DEL are available for every swimming pool and aquatic facility.  They provide operators and owners with safe, reliable pool sanitation while reducing or eliminating the chemical by-products that threaten health.  Compliance with safety standards has to include protecting bathers’ quality of enjoyment of facilities.