78-79 WORLD NEWS:SPN Master pages 20/11/2009 11:30 Page 3
NEW FENCING REGULATIONS ARE CRITICISED
NEWS IN BRIEF
Filter pumps to be
FOR BEING A ‘NANNY STATE’ DECISION switched off remotely
Owners of new swimming pools are
All home owners with private Further reforms proposed for the Royal Life Saving Institute, to lose control over when they can
swimming pools, including early next year could require David Macallister, praised the switch on their filter pumps in a bid
those on beach properties, will the installation of four-sided proposed laws as a ‘’step in to cut power use in peak times.
be forced to install fences fences to older pools when the right direction’’. Queensland has proposed
under tough laws introduced the property was sold or One leading newspaper legislation that would require all new
in the Australian state of New renovated. columnist has claimed the pools to conform by July next year.
South Wales by the State ‘’Limited exemptions from new regulations belong to The measure would allow power
Government. the requirements will still be the ‘nanny state’ principle. distributors to remotely switch off
The first review of the 17- available for those pools used Miranda Devine, the Sydney pool pumps at peak times – usually
year-old Swimming Pools Act – by people with a disability or in Morning Herald columnist, late afternoons and early evenings
which brought in mandatory circumstances where it would be wrote: ”This latest attack by in summer – in exchange for
fencing for all pools built after impractical to install a fence,’’ the nanny state on the cheaper electricity when on. Similar
1990 – will give councils the Ms Perry said. In 2007, 12 humble property owner is a controls have applied to household
power to enter a property if children drowned in private kneejerk reaction to a spate hot water systems.
the owner refuses to fix a pools or spas, the highest of child drownings last Energy Minister Stephen
faulty fence. About 16,000 number since 1997. summer. No matter that Robertson said the proposal would
new pools are built in the state In five of the deaths the fence almost all child drownings in cut power bills. The proposed new
each year and almost all will be or gate was inadequate, in three backyard pools are the result rule would affect 10,000 new
subject to compulsory the pool gate lock was faulty, in of inadequate adult swimming pools installed in
isolation fencing. The changes one there was no pool fence and supervision; it’s the fences Queensland each year. New pool
mean so-called infinity or in another the gap under the that are the focus of owners would either have to
negative-edge pools will no fence was large enough for the government energies. It’s hardwire their pump into their
longer be exempt. child to climb under. just too hard to tell parents meter box or have the filtration
The Local Government Under the proposed laws, the obvious, which is that if system fitted with a special device.
Minister, Barbara Perry, said councils would have to their children are near a large The device would cost $250 but
the Government was still investigate all complaints body of water, fence or no comes with an override that allows
looking at ways to bring in received about fencing and be fence, then there is no filtration for one hour in peak
mandatory child-proof given powers to fix fences alternative but to watch times. New pool owners already
barriers around pools built urgently when there is a serious them like a hawk; and it’s not have the option to hardwire their
before 1990, when the first and immediate risk of public a task that can be outsourced filtration system into their power
laws were introduced. safety. The Chief Executive of or shared”. supply to access cheaper
electricity during off-peak.
US HOT TUBS ANOTHER YEAR
there has to be immense US steps up research into
pressure on a number of safe swimming water
AWAY FROM ANY RECOVERY
manufacturers in terms of their The US specialist trade is
cash flow. It’s not a good stepping up its research
The latest statistics from the credit,” she added. “To emerge situation right now.” Dealers programme into the health and
US hot tub market show that from this successfully, you have have reduced displays and safety of swimming pool water.
new sales for 2009 will drop to overcome the fact that you’re product lines. A shrinking retail The trade association, the
below the 150,000 mark – from a luxury item and a user of base puts more strain on Association of Pool and Spa
a peak of half a million four energy. Plus, I think retailers manufacturers, and the industry Professionals is to work with NSF
years ago. The belief is the aren’t committing the same kind may not see positive movement International, the Public Health and
figures will dip for another year of floor space to our category for some time, even if an overall Safety Company, to pursue
before there’s any sign of anymore, and that lessens the recovery takes hold in the next research and testing to advance
recover. Some cities used to be exposure to the consumer.” six to 12 months. health and safety in the recreational
the home for an average of 60 Though statistics on unit water industry. The move is being
hot tub stores. The figure now sales are hard to come by, made against growing concern
is less than 20. Washington, industry experts estimate that the public will increasing need
one of the area’s largest spa approximately 150,000 hot tubs guarantees about the provision of
retailers – Home Escapes – will be sold across the country safe and clear water to swim in.
closed its three-store this year. Compare that with NSF will provide research and
operation after 23 years in 2004-05 numbers, which testing services for the
business. It begs the question: topped out at as much as three development and maintenance of
How are hot tub makers times that figure. APSP standards and general
staying afloat? “If we dip below 100,000 research for the recreational
“Honestly, I don’t know how a units annually, I can’t see where water industry focused on
number of these manufacturers this industry can sustain 60 to 70 prevention of injuries and
have hung on as long as they manufacturers,” Stack said. recreational water illnesses.
have,” said Lauren Stack, “Ultimately, I think there will In the last two years the
Director of Public Affairs and be fewer brands out there,” said number of complaints about the
Industry Promotion for the Jim Johnston, Vice President of purity of water has increased and
Association of Pool & Spa leading US manufacturer APSP see it as a key part of its
Professionals. Marquis Spas. “We’re probably remit to invest into new methods
ABOVE: Jim Johnston from Marquis
“The industry has bigger a year away from seeing some
Spas predicts the trade is an other
and systems over the long term.
issues than just a lack of available true positive momentum, and year away from any momentum
Visit our website at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk December 09 Swimming Pool News 79
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