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SPN OCT 2010 WorldNews
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk worldnews
US AIMS HIGH FOR NEW POOL AND SPA CODE OF PRACTICE FOR 2012
they will collaborate on a comprehensive pool and spa code for release in 2012. The new code will comprise the most-current thinking on pool and spa safety, energy efficiency and best practices. It will be the only code that addresses all types of pools, spas and hot tubs – both public and residential – as well as aquatic recreation facilities. “The ICC develops codes that focus on keeping people safe where they live, work and play,” said Jay Peters, Code Council Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Group Executive Director. “This new pool and spa code in particular will impact safety as soon as it is put into use because it will become part of codes that are already adopted in 50 states.”
The United States is set for what is expected to be the world’s most comprehensive pool and spa safety code next year.
The International Code Council and the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals announced
This landmark code will draw on APSP’s American National Standards for pools, spas, hot tubs and other recreational water along with ICC’s expertise in building-safety codes, fire-prevention codes and energy-efficiency codes for residential
POOL BUILDER FACES TRIAL IN KEY US TEST CASE
A swimming pool builder accused of causing a six-year-old boy’s death in what is being seen as an important test case is to go to trial in the United States. In July 2007, Zachary Archer Cohn was entrapped and drowned at his Greenwich home after his arm became stuck in a drain. The single suction outlet was located about 3 feet from the top of a spa dam wall. A year later, David Lionetti, owner of Shoreline Pools, was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter. Authorities alleged he flouted building codes requiring a safety vacuum release system on the pool. Lionetti pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Lionetti’s attorney announced the pool builder decided to go before a judge rather than a jury.
“The issue is emotional. It’s such a horrible tragedy,” said Richard Meehan. In 2004, Connecticut adopted the International Code Council’s model codes stipulating that the safety vacuum release system should be required on all pools. But Meehan said the state didn’t notify builders quickly enough. “The change in the code was put into effect 1 September 2004, but it’s unclear when it was published,” Meehan said. “There’s some suggestion it wasn’t published until the end of 2005.” The Cohns’ pool was permitted in June 2005.
Meehan also plans to raise a whole other question in the hearings. “The bigger issue, which I think is really critical for the pool industry, is that Shoreline Pools employed over 300 people. Why is the president of this company being called to task? It’s not him who necessarily designed the pool and did all the work on the pool.”
and commercial construction. The provisions of the code will increase consistency in pool and spa construction, maintenance and operation across the country and internationally.
“Finally, builders, manufacturers and code officials will have a uniform reference wherever the ICC codes are in use,” said Carvin DiGiovanni, Senior Director of Technical and Standards for APSP. “We are looking forward to getting started on the development of what promises to be the most comprehensive pool and spa code possible.” The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals is the largest international trade association representing the swimming pool, spa and hot tub industry. APSP’s mission is promoting consumer safety and enhancing the business success of its members. The International Code Council publishes building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency codes that are used in the construction of residential and commercial buildings.
QUEENSLAND TOUGHENS UP ON SAFETY LAWS
Queensland has introduced Australia’s toughest swimming pool safety laws – aimed at urgently savings lives.
The new laws aim to drastically reduce the risk of young children entering pools on their own.
The Queensland State Government had asked an expert committee, including Kidsafe, the Royal Lifesaving Society, Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit and the Local Government Association of Queensland, to conduct the largest review of pool laws in almost 20 years.
Between 1 January 2004 and 18 May 2010, 35 children under five years of age drowned in residential swimming pools and in 2008/09 eight children drowned in swimming pools. Each year there are approximately 50 non-fatal immersion incidences, which often cause permanent brain damage. Proposed amendments in the Building and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 will replace the current assortment of 11 pool safety standards. To ensure pool owners have time to adjust, the Bill allows for a five-year phase-in period for people to upgrade their pool fences – unless they sell or lease the property first. Owners of residential pools that are not shared cannot lease their properties out without a current pool safety certificate in place. For all other pools, where a property is sold without a certificate, a prescribed notice must be given by the seller to the buyer advising that the pool may be non-compliant.
The new reforms also mean portable pools and spas of a depth of 300mm or over will be required to be fenced.
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