Connect with us

PREMIUM SPONSORS

Press Releases

International Swimming Pool and Spa Code to Become Law in Maryland

Published

on

Compliance

The code will strengthen pool and spa safety and efficiency statewide

(Annapolis, MD) – Governor Larry Hogan announced that House Bill 303 will become law in Maryland and greatly advance swimming pool and spa safety and efficiency throughout the state. House Bill 303, sponsored by Delegate Dana Stein (District 11, Baltimore County) and Senator Cory McCray (District 45, Baltimore City), will require Maryland to use the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as the new minimum standard, effective December 31, 2023, for building swimming pools and spas.  

The adoption of the ISPSC enhances the safety and efficiency of pools and spas by applying a consistent, uniform construction and safety code that is based on proven best practices for drowning prevention and energy efficiency. The ISPSC is currently used in over 30 states in the U.S., including Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and New Jersey. 

CPO Class - Virtual Online Classes - Become a Certified Pool Operator

“On behalf of the industry and a diverse coalition of supporters, we applaud the General Assembly and Governor Hogan for passing and enacting HB 303,” said Justin Wiley, PHTA Vice President of Government Relations, Standards and Codes. “This safety-focused law takes a significant step toward modernizing Maryland’s building codes and standards for swimming pools and spas.” 

House Bill 303 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the House of Delegates and the Senate. The bill was supported by the International Code Council, Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and a coalition of businesses, regulators, first responders and safety professionals, including the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Building Officials Association, the Maryland Fire Marshal Committee, the Maryland State Firefighter’s Association and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. 

“This adoption ensures a safe and comprehensive code for the design and construction of swimming pools in Maryland,” said Frank Quillen, President of the Maryland Building Officials Association. “The ISPSC coordinates with the other building safety codes adopted in Maryland to create a consistent regulatory framework for both building safety professionals and for builders.” 

The legislation requires the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt the ISPSC as a baseline code for the state and allows for local jurisdictions to enforce and amend the code as necessary. More importantly, the ISPSC correlates with local laws and regulations that are already established.  

“The adoption, implementation and enforcement of modern codes and standards play an important role in keeping communities safe, resilient and affordable” said Gabe Maser, Code Council Senior Vice President of Government Relations. “The Code Council commends Maryland for the adoption of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and their efforts to ensure the state is using the most up-to-date safety and efficiency standards.”  

The signing and implementation of House Bill 303 will afford all jurisdictions access to grants for training on the ISPSC under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA). The VGBA is a United States law named after Virginia Graeme Baker, who died after sustaining a pool suction-drain injury in June 2002. It is incorporated as Title 14 of the U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA Title 14, Pub.L. 110-140). This act became enforceable law on December 19, 2008. 

The incorporation of the ISPSC in Maryland will follow the same process the state already uses for most building codes in practice, such as the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) which are enforced and amended by the counties. 

“The PHTA Mid-Atlantic Chapter is happy to see that Governor Hogan is allowing the ISPSC to become law. This will help to improve safety around public and private pools and spas across the great state of Maryland,” said Brian St. Clair, President of the PHTA Mid-Atlantic chapter. “The public can find comfort in knowing that the ISPSC will hold companies to the highest safety standards, helping to reduce drownings, ER visits, and accidents around pools. It will also help to consolidate code compliance for new construction and renovations of pools and spas, helping to streamline the building process for local companies. Thank you, Governor Hogan, for helping to keep Marylanders safe while enjoying the pools and spas across this wonderful state!” 

You can view the 2021 ISPSC Digital Code here. 

5/5 - (1 vote)

Marianne Trusty

Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at [email protected].

News

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Requests Reaffirmation of Water Conservation Efficiency Standard

Published

on

(Alexandria, VA.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is requesting reaffirmation of the ANSI/APSP/ICC-13 2017 American National Standard for Water Conservation Efficiency in Residential and Public Pools, Spas, Portable Spas, and Swim Spas.

As part of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) consensus development process, PHTA is conducting a public review of the existing stand and inviting interested parties to submit comments for consideration.

Following review by PHTA technical committees, the 2017 standard has been recommended for reaffirmation while a parallel revision process is underway to evaluate and address emerging issues related to drought and water conservation practices.

In accordance with ANSI procedures, the current ANSI/APSP/ICC-13 2017 standard is available for a 45-day public review period, as announced in ANSI Standards Action. The deadline to submit comments is July 28, 2026.

The public review document and additional information are available on the PHTA-13 webpage at phta.org.

For more information, please visit phta.org, email [email protected], or call (703) 838-0083.

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000+ members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

Rate this post

Continue Reading

News

Daldorado Appoints Commercial Aquatic Industry Veteran, Guy Ledwell, as Vice President of Business Development

Published

on

NAPLES, FL — Daldorado, a premier manufacturer of commercial aquatic products, announced the appointment of Guy Ledwell as the company’s new Vice President of Business Development. Ledwell brings over three decades of specialized commercial aquatic experience to the role. He will work closely with Daldorado’s leadership team, including Rob Lawson, to accelerate the company’s market presence and strategic growth initiatives.

Ledwell joins Daldorado following a distinguished 21-year career at Pool Corp, the industry’s largest commercial distributor. During his tenure, he held several pivotal leadership positions, including Commercial Specialist, Division Sales Manager, Senior Manager of the Commercial Group, and Senior Manager of Strategic Growth.

Throughout his career, Ledwell has established a proven track record of designing and delivering large-scale commercial aquatic projects. As an executive leader, he consistently drove high-impact fiscal results, leading teams that achieved robust year-over-year growth and annual sales increases exceeding $9 million. Notably, Ledwell also conceptualized and established the industry’s first nationwide, commercial-dedicated stocking network, a groundbreaking initiative that significantly improved product availability and customer support across the country.

“Guy’s extensive background and deep technical understanding of commercial aquatics make him a perfect fit for our vision,” said Rob Lawson. “His ability to build long-standing relationships with the industry’s leading designers and builders, combined with his energetic leadership style, will be invaluable as we continue to scale our operations and deliver world-class solutions.”

In addition to his sales and operational expertise, Ledwell is recognized for leveraging technology to optimize corporate performance. He has successfully developed and implemented proprietary systems that streamline complex processes, maximize efficiency, and support scalable institutional growth. His leadership philosophy emphasizes practical, data-supported solutions that empower teams and elevate customer outcomes.

Ledwell is widely respected by colleagues and industry partners as a steady, honest, and highly collaborative executive who tackles complex challenges directly to achieve measurable results.

About Daldorado

Daldorado is a leading innovator and manufacturer of high-quality commercial aquatic drainage systems and perimeter grating solutions. Committed to safety, durability, and superior engineering, Daldorado serves major commercial aquatic facilities, waterparks, and competitive swimming venues globally.

Media Contact:

Rob Lawson

Daldorado

[email protected]

888-509-8128

www.Daldorado.com

Rate this post

Continue Reading

News

Invis-A-Rope™ Gives Automatic Pool Covers Aesthetically Pleasing Look

Published

on

Invis-A-Rope_AutomaticPoolCovers-Inc

 Exclusive Invis-A-Rope™ from Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. is designed to blend seamlessly into the pool track for a nearly invisible finish that customers love. Its dark gray color is intentionally engineered to match the pool coping and be virtually invisible within the track, unlike more visible alternatives from other manufacturers.  As a key component of the THREE·SIXTY·FIVE™ automatic pool cover system, Invis-A-Rope™ enhances overall pool aesthetics while maintaining functionality, delivering a discreet design that remains virtually unseen by swimmers and end users.

Automatic Pool Covers Inc. 

www.automaticpoolcovers.com

(800) 878-5789 

About  Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (APC)
Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (APC) is a leading U.S. manufacturer of automatic pool cover systems for gunite, vinyl, fiberglass, existing pools, and spas. Headquartered in Westfield, Indiana, APC partners with pool professionals nationwide to deliver high-quality auto-covers designed for safety, durability, and ease of use.

Rate this post

Continue Reading

Read the Spring Issue of Pool Magazine

Read the Spring Edition of Pool Magazine
Add Pool Magazine on Google

See more of our coverage in your search results

Become a Member of the Pool & Hot Tub AllianceSponsored Advertisement
Become a Member of the Pool & Hot Tub AllianceSponsored Advertisement
Sponsored Advertisement

Pool News