The Associated Swimming Pool Industries of Florida (ASPI)

The ASPI is a local group of swimming pool builders, service companies, wholesale distributers, manufacturers, and other related professionals. We have been serving the South Florida community for 37 years. ASPI has spearheaded successful efforts to speed up plans processing and the issuing of permits and inspections. This has resulted in a saving of both time and expense to our industry and the consumer. We have also raised awareness of the proliferation of unlicensed, uninsured and unskilled individuals and have lobbied the Miami-Dade County Commission to hire additional enforcement personnel. ASPI holds its meetings at the Piccadilly Cafeteria located at 8301 W Flagler Street in Miami, during which time all issues and concerns relating to our industry are addressed. These meetings include a free dinner, expert guest speakers, and more. They are open to all members and associates. All licensed pool professionals are invited to attend. ASPI also provides sponsorship of a college scholarship fund to our members and families who qualify. We also offer a binding arbitration clause in our contract which settles disputes without court costs and attorneys fees.

ASPI publishes a monthly newsletter called "The Pipeline". It contains the information on the upcoming meeting, information about the pool industry, columns about pool technology, and photos of our past meeting or event. The May 2012 Pipeline issue is available for download (4.8 mb).

ASPI also sponsors several social events during the year. In the fall, we have a picnic (309 kb) for all members, their employees and families. The picnic for 2011 is on Sunday, November 6th at Tropical Park Pavilion #11. In March, we have our annual officer installation Banquet and Dinner Dance.

Application for the 2012 Scholarship Fund and the Design Awards competition are due on April 30th.

Americans With Disability Act changes postponed for 60 days

The Federal ADA Act changes were scheduled to take effect March 15, 2012. The Department of Justice will publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with a 15 day comment period on a possible six month extension in order to allow additional time to address misunderstandings. Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham from South Carolina introduced S. 2186 on March 12th. It seeks to amend the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit the Attorney General from administering or enforcing certain accessibility regulations relating to pools at public accommodations or provided by public entities.

See http://www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm The first offense of non-compliance is $55,000. A second offense can incur a fine of $100,000.

Homeowner and condominium associations that are not transient are exempted. Private clubs, which are defined as having a restrictive membership policy and considerable dues, are typically not required to comply with ADA. However, if the pool is open too non-members then they must comply. Further, states can be more stringent if they so choose, Florida, for example, does not exclude private clubs from ADA requirements.

At least two accessible means of entry shall be provided for swimming pools. Accessible means of entry shall be swimming pool lifts complying with 1009.2; sloped entries complying with 1009.3; transfer walls complying with 1009.4; transfer systems complying with 1009.5; and pool stairs complying with 1009.6. At least one accessible means of entry provided shall comply with 1009.2 or 1009.3.

Where a swimming pool has less than 300 linear feet (91 m) of swimming pool wall, no more than one accessible means of entry shall be required provided that the accessible means of entry is a swimming pool lift complying with 1009.2 or sloped entry complying with 1009.3.

Spas. At least one accessible means of entry shall be provided for spas. Accessible means of entry shall comply with swimming pool lifts complying with1009.2; transfer walls complying with 1009.4; or transfer systems complying with 1009.5.

EXCEPTION: Where spas are provided in a cluster, no more than 5 percent, but no fewer than one, spa in each cluster shall be required to comply with 242.4.

Wave action pools, leisure rivers, sand bottom pools, and other pools where user access is limited to one area shall not be required to provide more than one accessible means of entry provided that the accessible means of entry is a swimming pool lift complying with 1009.2, a sloped entry complying with 1009.3, or a transfer system complying with 1009.5.

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

(Links open in new window)

The Federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (PDF) is named after the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker and signed into law by President Bush in December 2007. It takes effect on December 19, 2008. In 2002, 7 year-old Graeme Baker died after being entrapped by the powerful suction of a spa at a friend's home. When she was discovered, her mother was unable to free her. Two men freed her after pulling so hard it broke the main drain cover.

The VGB Act specifies anti-entrapment requirements for both public and residential pools. One of the requirements is to replace the main drain cover/grate with a new cover that meets the ASME A112.19.8-2007 standard. Beginning on December 19, 2008, each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States shall conform to the entrapment protection standards of the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard, or any successor standard regulating such swimming pool or drain cover.

For more information on pool safety, visit Pool Safely

How to identify a compliant main drain cover

They will have the following embossed or permanently marked in a location that is visible when installed: a flow rating "X GPM" "Life: X Years" Manufacturer and Model VGB 2008 (as of November 12, 2008)

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recognizes three organizations that conduct testing on drain covers and issue certification. As long as a drain cover is approved by one of these three organizations, it complies with the federal law. They are: the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

IAPMO Product Listing Directory and search for suction fittings or name of company.
NSF Certified main drain grates for pools & spas
UL Online Certifications Directory

Public pools are covered under section 1404 of the Act. The Florida Department of Health - Environmental Health - Swimming Pools has produced a fact sheet regarding the implementation for public pools in Florida.
Factsheet for gravity drained AND direct suction pools and spas (PDF)

Technical Guidance and Protocol for CHD staff and Regional Engineers (PDF)

Florida Department of Health - Approved main drain cover list (PDF)

Main drain cover/grate replacement acknowledgement form with Miami-Dade Health Dept. contact info (PDF) Form field enabled - fill in on computer and print.

Main drain cover/grate replacement acknowledgement form with Broward Health Dept. contact info (PDF) Form field enabled - fill in on computer and print.

Main drain cover/grate replacement acknowledgement form with Palm Beach Health Dept. contact info (PDF) Form field enabled - fill in on computer and print.

Example format for swimming pool grate/drain cover replacement submittal information (PDF)

List of Florida County Health Department offices

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