Resources
Whether you’re looking for help constructing a pool, tips for improving your aquatic workout, a professional dealer in your area, or ways to make your pool and spa safer, these resources can help.
Aquatic Exercise
- Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA)
- 888-232-9283
- www.aeawave.com
- Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute, Inc.
- 866-462-2874
- www.atri.org
- Arthritis Foundation
- 800-283-7800
- www.arthritis.org
- Human Kinetics
- 800-747-4457
- www.humankinetics.com
- A publisher of fitness books, including such titles as Aquatic Exercise Toolbox, Fitness Aquatics, Water Exercise, Water Fitness After 40, Water Fun and Fitness, and Fantastic Water Workouts.
- International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF)
- 954-462-6536
- www.ishof.org
- Honoring those who have distinguished themselves in swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming. ISHOF is a nonprofit educational organization that maintains efforts for safety among numerous water sources — from pools and spas to oceans and streams.
- United States Water Fitness Association (USWFA)
- 561-732-9908
- www.uswfa.com
Construction and Safety
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
- 202-293-8020
- www.ansi.org
- A private, nonprofit organization that coordinates the development of private- sector voluntary standards. Among the ANSI standards concerning the spa and pool industry are six sets of guidelines developed by the National Spa and Pool Institute for the design, equipment, installation, and use of spas and pools.
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- 800-843-2763
- www.asme.org
- ASME develops standards for such products as plumbing fixtures, general-purpose pipe threads, and suction fittings for use in pools and spas. The voluntary standards are often referenced in other standards and adopted in part or whole by code-writing groups, state building departments, and other jurisdictions. Though the society does not directly certify or endorse products, manufacturers can certify that they’ve met ASME design standards as a means to enhance the value of and confidence in their products.
- California Spa & Pool Industry Education Council (SPEC)
- 916-447-4113
- thecpsa.org
- A private, nonprofit organization, SPEC represents all segments of the swimming pool and spa industry in legislative and regulatory matters at the local, state, regional, and special district levels. The group has tackled such industry issues as mandatory water rationing for pools and spas, fencing regulations, construction bans and guidelines, contractor regulations, pool chemical use, and mandatory solar heating for pool and spa water with natural gas heater bans.
- International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)
- 909-472-4100
- www.iapmo.org
- Municipalities across the United States adopt IAPMO codes. Manufacturers’ products are required to meet the codes in jurisdictions that choose to adopt the codes. Installers must follow all IAPMO guidelines.
- International Code Council (ICC)
- (formerly International Conference of Building Officials)
- 800-423-6587
- www.iccsafe.org
- A nonprofit organization that promotes public safety by evaluating current and innovative construction technology for compliance with codes, standards, and acceptance criteria. Engineers, architects, manufacturers, designers, ICBO members, and the construction industry look to ICBO ES to provide verification that certain materials, systems, and equipment are acceptable alternatives or conform to standards specified in the codes.
- U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
- 800-638-2772
- www.cpsc.gov
- With its power to recall products and set standards, this government agency serves consumers by investigating claims of unsafe products. In its role as product-safety watchdog, the group responds to consumer complaints and evaluates voluntary standards to determine if they provide sufficient levels of safety or if they should be replaced by mandatory standards.
- Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA)
- 866-778-9096
- realcedar.com
- A nonprofit trade association representing quality producers of western red cedar lumber products in British Columbia, Canada, and the U.S. Pacific Northwest states. Association members are dedicated to producing quality siding, decking, paneling, and other specialty cedar products in a wide range of sizes and grades. Collectively, these manufacturers annually produce 950 million board feet of cedar products. The WRCLA is dedicated to providing the construction industry with information about WRCLA member products, their specifications, and proper use.
Professional Groups and Associations
- Associated Swimming Pool Industries of Florida (ASPI)
- 305-937-0960
- www.aspifl.org
- More than 30 years old, ASPI is a nonprofit organization of pool and spa professionals and allied businesses. The group uses its dues for ongoing reports on products, legislation, and regulatory rulings.
- Independent Pool & Spa Service Association Inc. (IPSSA)
- 888-360-9505
- www.ipssa.com
- An organization serving pool and spa service technicians in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas. The group sponsors technical and business seminars, a monthly newsletter, and other services.
- Master Pools Guild
- 800-392-3044
- www.masterpoolsguild.com
- An exclusive group of independent pool builders who build permanent pools and spas that incorporate the latest design techniques.
- National Plasterers Council (NPC)
- 866-483-4672
- www.npconline.org
- The National Plasterers Council is a group of pool plasterers who benefit from the organization’s research and expertise. The council publishes a technical manual, hosts an annual conference, and publishes materials for consumers promoting the benefits of swimming pool plaster and information necessary to help them make educated decisions about work to be done on their swimming pools.
- Professional Pool Operators of America (PPOA)
- PPOA serves operators of large swimming pools and waterparks. Its goal is the recognition, training, and refinement of the operators of institutional and public aquatic facilities throughout the Americas and the developed world.
- United Pool & Spa Association (UPSA)
- unitedpoolassociation.com
- UPSA is a group for pool contractors, service companies, and pool supply stores in Florida. Members agree to the association’s policy of fair and honest customer service, and all member pool builders must meet or exceed Florida’s building codes.
Energy Resources
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- 202-326-2222
- www.ftc.gov
- The FTC has placed pool heaters on its list of appliances that must have yellow Energy Guide labels. The Energy Guide labeling system is related to the DOE’s minimum energy-efficiency standards, but the two are separate. The DOE establishes the minimum and dictates how tests should be conducted; the FTC is concerned with whether products are labeled accurately.
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- 800-342-5363
- www.energy.gov
- The DOE sets minimum energy-efficiency standards for fuel-fired pool heaters. The current energy-efficient requirement for gas-fired pool heaters is 78 percent, which means heaters must be at least 78 percent efficient to be sold legally in the United States. The DOE also encourages the use of pool covers and solar or high-efficiency heating systems through its Reducing Swimming Pool Energy Costs Program.