International Swimming Pool and Spa Code Closer to Completion – Public Comments Sought

ICC’s Swimming Pool Code Drafting Committee completed a third and final meeting, putting final touches on what will become the International Swimming Pool Code and Spa Public Version 1.0, (ISPC PV 1.0). The committee finalized provisions for public and residential pools, and spas during a two-day meeting that completed a process that began with the first meeting of the committee in October 2010.

After going through a full round of code revision and development, the result will be the 2012 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, due to be released in March 2012. This code will be the first comprehensive model code for pools and spas offered in North America, and will comply with the requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act). This federal law, enacted in December 2007, establishes safety requirements for public pools and spas, requiring anti-entrapment drain covers and other safety devices.

The code development effort was the result of a groundbreaking partnership with the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), and incorporated material from APSP consensus standards and relevant sections of the I-Codes. In addition to the 15-person drafting committee, four working groups involving dozens of participants, from a wide range of industry stakeholders, conducted the detailed work required to blend and reconcile new and existing material. Numerous experts, representing more than 20 industry organizations, associations, and governmental entities, participated in the final drafting committee meeting.

ICC’s Deputy Senior Vice President, Technical Services, Mike Pfeiffer, stated, “In just three meetings and quite a few work group conference calls, the Swimming Pool Code Drafting Committee (SPCDC) completed PV 1.0 for code change consideration in a timely, efficient and very productive manner. While the committee had the benefit of some I-Code text and APSP standards to start with, it was reassuring to see that they were willing to further refine the provisions in the name of pool and spa safety.”

Over the next several weeks, staff will complete formatting and editorial reviews, before releasing ISPC PV 1.0 by Feb. 1, 2011, for public review and comment. This document will then serve as the basis for code change submissions that must be received by March 1, 2011. These code changes will be heard by a code development committee at the 2011 ISPSC Code Development Hearing starting May 16, 2011, in Dallas. A “Call for Committee” will be posted later this month to receive applications for this pool code development committee.

For more information, visit the ICC website at http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/ISPC.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose the International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council. The International Codes also serve as the basis for construction of federal properties around the world, and as a reference for many nations outside the United States.