News - Pool Operation Management

New Jersey: Codes, Standards & Regulations

*** On January 31, 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy today signed into law a bill creating license requirements for both pool service contractors and pool builders/installers doing work in the State of New Jersey. find more details here. ***

Effective September 6, 2022, the State of New Jersey (NJ) adopted four new codes that will affect the pool and spa industry.

The following codes are now adopted:

NJ Energy Subcode – 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (Residential)
NJ Electrical Subcode – 2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
NJ One and Two Family Dwelling Subcode – 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with NJ edits
NJ Building Subcode
– 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with NJ edits
– IBC references the 2021 ISPSC

Important Links

CDC Releases 5th Edition of Model Aquatic Health Code – Nov 2024

The CDC has released the 5th edition of the Model Aquatic Health Code. This guidance document offers insignt to states to help when they are updating their own state code. Check it out here.

MAY IS DROWNING PREVENTION MONTH

Every May, the swimming pool industry promotes drowning prevention Did you know?

Drowning is the single leading cause of death of children between 1-4.
Drowning is silent and can happen in less than 60 seconds.
Almost 70 percent of drownings occur during times when swimming is not happening.
88 percent of child drownings occur when there is at least 1 adult present.
Unintentional child drownings could fill 10 school buses annually.
Drowning is preventable.

(Source: National Drowning Prevention Alliance)

Whether you have children or not in your home, you want to safeguard your pool to prevent these types of accidental drownings. Take the necessary precautions every year.

Ensure fencing and locks meet barrier requirements. Minimum of 48 inches high; gates are self-closing and self-latching, and open outward from the pool; and no gaps greater than four (4”) inches.
Consider permanent locks on the gates when not in use.
Remove items along fencing that permits easy accessibility for climbing over.
Baby fencing around the pool is a great addition for those with small children.
Alarms can be added to exterior doors and windows to alert someone has left the house.
Smart cameras can alert you when someone is in the yard.
Make sure everyone in your household knows how to swim.
Post and enforce rules for guests. Ask them if they know how to swim before permitting them to use your pool.
Keep appropriate life jackets handy for non-swimmers.
Never permit anyone to swim alone.
When children are in the pool, enforce responsible adult supervision.
Be prepared in case of emergency and learn CPR.

HEATER RECALL (4/28/2021)

On April 28, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of more than 4,700 StaRite and Mastertemp pool heaters sold in the U.S. and Canada. There is a connection in the heater that can leak the combustible air-gas mixture, posing a fire hazard. The affected pool heaters include the HTR 250 Mastertemp LP, HTR 250 Mastertemp NA, HTR 300 Mastertemp NA, HTR 400 Mastertemp ND, HTR 400 Mastertemp LP, HTR 400 Mastertemp NA, HTR 400NG Mastertemp HD Asme, HTR MT 250LP Special Packing EC, HTR MT 250NA Special Packing EC, HTR MT 400LP Special Packing EC, Pool Htr 33K LP, Pool Htr 33K Nat Gas, Pool Htr 400K LP, Pool Htr 400K Nat Gas, Pool Htr HD 200K NA, and Pool HTR HD 333K NA models.

Consumer Contact:

Pentair Water Pool and Spa at 800-831-7133 from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.pentair.com and click on Products, then Pool and Spa Equipment, then Pool Heaters, then Additional Resources for more information. Have your serial number ready when you call. Pool equipment distributors nationwide received product between December 2020 and January 2021 for resale.

CHECK OUT STUDY ON POOL COVERS

Earth day has prompted many to think conservation. Check out this on how pool covers can help with energy conservation.

NEW JERSEY BATHING CODE CHANGES 2018-2025

Here are some documents to help you understand and implement the changes made to the New Jersey State Sanitary Code Chapter IX Public Recreational Bathing NJAC 8:26 effective January 16, 2018 – January 16, 2025.

NJ PRB CHANGES 2018 includes 2018 Changes to New Jersey State Sanitary Code Chapter IX Public Recreational Bathing NJAC 8:26 with Excerpts From the Code.

NJ PRB CHANGES 2018 ABBREVIATED includes 2018 Changes to New Jersey State Sanitary Code Chapter IX Public Recreational Bathing NJAC 8:26 with Bulleted Key Changes for the Trained Pool Operator.

HIGHLIGHTED NEW JERSEY STATE CODE is the actual New Jersey State Sanitary Code Chapter IX Public Recreational Bathing NJAC 8:26 That Contains Highlighted Key Points for the Trained Pool Operator.

ATTENTION CONCRETE POOL BUILDERS – 11/14/17

OSHA has issued a new Crystalline Silica Rule for Construction which affect pool builders. OSHA is issuing a new standard to protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica in one for construction. The standard requires employers to limit worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica and to take other steps to protect workers. Read more here.

NEW ROCKLAND COUNTY REQUIREMENTS – 12/09/16

Do you own or work for a swimming pool company in Rockland County in New York? All license applications and renewals now require an APSP Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS) or higher certification. Call us for certification information at 732-451-1040!

FLORIDA COMMERCIAL POOL CODE CHANGES – 11/21/16

There are changes on the horizon for Florida’s commercial pool code. One of them will create more design opportunities; two of them will outlaw color and material options for the sake of safety. Read more here.

NEW LICENSING REQUIREMENTS! – 9/27/16
Attention Members Doing Business in Rockland County, NY

As of May 17, 2016, Rockland County requires home improvement contractors with license classification 25 -Swimming Pool Installation Contractor or 26 – Swimming Pool Service Contractor to supply proof of continuing education course completion with their new application or renewal. See below for education requirements.

Classification 25: Swimming Pool Installation Contractor now requires

APSP Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS) (or higher)* or equivalent certification or training as determined by the Director;
APSP Certified Building Professional (CBP) or equivalent certification or training as determined by the Director;

Classification 26: Swimming Pool Service Contractor now requires

APSP Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS) (or higher) or equivalent certification or training as determined by the Director.

View more details about the Rockland Licensing Requirements online

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE ABOUT POOLS IN HABITAT – 5/2/16

Read this article featuring advice from Trevor Sherwood of Pool Operation Management about securing pool service and managing commercial pools at condominiums.

LONG AWAITED STANDARD FOR PLASTERING SWIMMING POOLS & SPAS APPROVED BY ANSI – 2/9/16

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) announces that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the ANSI/APSP/International Code Council (ICC)/National Plasterers Council (NPC) –12 2016 Standard for the Plastering of Swimming Pools and Spas. This standard outlines provides a consensus on how to plaster pools and spas. Read more here.

S.R.SMITH RECALLS POOL LIFTS – 12/28/15

On December 17, the Consumer Product Safety Commission released a press release stating that the pool product manufacturer, S.R. Smith, is recalling just under 1900 pool access lifts. The lifts come from the company’s Splash! and PAL Hi/Lo and Spa lines.

CT PASSES ABOVE GROUND POOL LICENSE LAW – 07/23/15

Starting April 2016, aboveground pool installers working in Connecticut will need a special license. The Above Ground Pool Assembler’s License will help to curtail job-site errors. Connecticut also has two additional pool licenses — one for builders – SPB and the other for service technicians, SP1.

SPA DRAIN COVERS RECALLED – 10/29/14

Waterway Plastics has recalled a drain cover used on certain portable spas. The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of approximately 26,000 Designer Pro Series Suction Covers installed in certain hot tub models produced by Catalina Spas, Four Winds Spas, Dimension One Spas and Sunrise Spas from June 2011 to June 2013. The black and silver, round-shaped drains are stamped with the number 640-52XX S on the outside edge of the plastic. The manufacturer can be reached on its recall hotline, (866)719-6044, during regular business hours, Pacific Time. Affected parties also can go to at www.waterwayplastics.com and click “recall” under the Resources pull-down tab.

mistakes after the build by having health officials review plans before construction. If approved, it would go effect in July.

CHECK YOUR DRAINS COVERS TODAY!
December 2013 will mark five years since the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act required all commercial pool and spa drains to have new VGB certified covers. Part of the law also required the manufacturer to provide a life span for each cover and a fair majority were between 5-7 years. Here are manufacturers life expectancies. Remember to replace with only ANSI/ASME A112.19.8 (2007) standard or any successor standard on every suction outlet (On July 27, 2011, the Commission unanimously approved ANSI/APSP 16-2011 as the successor suction outlet cover standard which pool operators need to follow to comply with the P&SS Act) and use new accompanying screws.

AquaStar Pool Products, Inc. (877) 768-2717, info@aquastarpoolproducts.com
Manufacturer says all VGB 2008 Compliant drains have a five (5) year life expectancy.

Lawson Aquatics – 800-832-8002, aquatopia@neptunebenson.com
Manufacturer says drains have a 10 year warranty and no expiration date and needs to be inspected after 10 years.

Hayward – Hayward Technical Services, 908-355-7995, techsupport@haywardpools.com
Manufacturer says drains have a seven (7) year life expectancy.

DrainSafe 360, 800-513-4372, info@drainsafe.com
Manufacturer says replace every three (3) years.

World Wide Star 100, (970) 510-0836, admin@worldwidesportsllc.com
Manufacturer says replace every three (3) years.

This information is provided solely as a notice of changing laws and regulations that may affect your business. POM does not dispense legal advice and assumes no liability for the contents of this information. You are urged to seek competent legal advice if they have any questions on this or any other law or regulation that may affect them.