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PHTA Announces Revision of APSP-16 & APSP-1, Issues Call For Participation

The PHTA recently announced standards revision of APSP-16 and APSP-1 and issued a call for committee participation.

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PHTA - POOL & HOT TUB ALLIANCE

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) kicked off its 40th year as a standards developer by announcing the review and revision of ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 American NationalStandard for Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies (SOFA) for Use in Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs and ANSI/APSP/ICC-1 American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools and calling for subject matter expert (SME) participation in the Standard Writing Committees (SWCs). The APSP-1 Standard would be redesignated as the PHTA/ICC-1 Standard for Public Pool and Spa Design, Construction and Installation

Once formed, over the next months, the SWCs will meet bi-weekly to review and consider revision to the standards for consideration by PHTA’s ANSI consensus body. SMEs who would like to serve on an SWC must be willing and able to actively participate in the language drafting process and have a working understanding of the current standard. Interested parties who may not be SMEs or active users of the standard are welcome to attend meetings as observers throughout the revision process.

Stakeholders are invited to apply to serve on the PHTA-16 and PHTA-1 SWCs. The appointment criteria seek to establish a diverse SWC ensuring reasonable balance without dominance by a single interest category, individual, or organization. Priority will be given to applicants from the various interest categories with experience using, applying, and enforcing the ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 and ANSI/APSP/ICC-1 2014 standards.

The PHTA-16 SWC will revise the standard establishing materials, testing, product marking, and installation instructions governing product use for new or replacement drain covers. The standard is the federal regulation for all bather-accessible Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies (SOFAs) that are designed to be fully submerged for use in any pool, which include, but are not limited to, a swimming pool, hot tub, spa, portable spa, swim spa, non-portable wading pool, storable pool, or any other aquatic venue intended for swimming or recreational bathing.

This standard is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Standard referenced in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) and for this reason any revisions must be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) before the revised standard can be accepted as the successor standard to ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017. The CPSC has the responsibly to determine if proposed changes are in the public interest.

For the PHTA-16 SWC, PHTA is seeking SME participation from certifying bodies and Registered Design Professionals (RDPs) who currently test and certify or previously tested and certified SOFAs in accordance with the standard. Other important stakeholder categories include, but are not limited to, SOFA manufacturers, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and installation professionals who work closely with AHJs to assure public pools’ suction systems conform to the standard.

The PHTA-1 SWC will revise the standard establishing provisions which apply to the construction, alteration, movement, renovation, replacement, repair, and maintenance of aquatic venues, public pools, and public spas. The public pools and spas covered by this standard are either permanent or temporary and shall be only those that are designed and manufactured to be connected to a circulation system and that are intended for swimming, bathing, or wading. 

For the PHTA-1 SWC, PHTA is seeking SME participation from stakeholder categories that include, but are not limited to, building officials, health department officials, contractors, pool service and maintenance providers, architects, engineers, RDPs, equipment manufacturers, distributors, retail vendors, chemical suppliers, instructors, trainers, standards organizations, and others interested in participating in the revision process.

Completed application forms are due to PHTA by January 27, 2023For more information, visit theParticipate in the Process webpage or phta.org/standards, or email PHTA Program Director of Standards and Technical Services Genevieve Lynn at [email protected].

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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].

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Fluidra Acquires Datapool to Lead Digitalization and Efficiency in the Pool Sector

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Fluidra Acquires Datapool to Lead Digitalization and Efficiency in the Pool Sector

Fluidra, the global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions, has announced the acquisition of Datapool, the digital twin platform developed by Ecotropy. With this transaction, the company reinforces its strategic commitment to sustainability, operational efficiency and the digitalization of the sector.

The transaction represents the evolution of a collaboration that began in 2024, when Fluidra invested in Ecotropy through Fluidra Ventures, its Corporate Venture Capital fund focused on startups with the potential to transform the pool and wellness sector through technological innovation.

With this acquisition, Datapool becomes fully integrated into Fluidra’s digital ecosystem for commercial pools, consolidating its role as a key part of the company’s value proposition. The platform incorporates advanced analytics capabilities, IoT solutions and real-time data within an open and scalable architecture, in line with the company’s strategy to offer connected and sustainable solutions that maximize the efficiency of aquatic facilities and accelerate the transition towards smarter management models.

Datapool outfits aquatic facilities with digital twins, enabling pools to be managed using reliable, real-time data and replacing management models based on estimates or manual supervision.

In this way, the platform simulates the optimal operation of each facility and continuously compares it with variables such as energy consumption, occupancy, weather conditions and water quality, providing a comprehensive view that helps anticipate incidents, optimize resources and improve operational performance.

Thanks to this technology, operators can reduce operating costs by 10% to 25% by optimizing water and energy consumption without the need for construction works or invasive interventions; monitor and adjust key parameters such as temperature, water quality and occupancy in real time; automate management through predictive models that adapt climate control and operations to real demand; generate automatic reports with traceable data for audits, tenders or grant applications; and plan investments and improvements based on objective data.

“This acquisition marks a milestone in our digitalization strategy. Datapool allows us to accelerate the transition towards an intelligent pool management model, improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact and offering our customers data-driven tools to make better decisions,” said Thorsten Muck, Commercial Pool Director at Fluidra.

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Press Releases

Pool Industry Accelerates Digital Transformation with POOLCORP and JobTread as Tech Stacks Become More Connected

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Pool Industry Accelerates Digital Transformation with POOLCORP and JobTread as Tech Stacks Become More Connected

Dallas, TX — The pool and outdoor living industry is accelerating its digital transformation as more builders adopt connected tech stacks to increase efficiency across every phase of a project. The newly launched JobTread and POOLCORP integration signals this shift toward smarter, fully integrated construction workflows.

JobTread, a construction management platform trusted by more than 10,000 companies, today announced its new integration with POOLCORP, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies and outdoor living products. This integration helps contractors connect estimating, purchasing, and project management in one streamlined workflow.

Launched in 2021, JobTread’s rapid growth reflects how quickly contractors are embracing project management software. In just a few years, the platform has seen a meteoric rise in adoption. That momentum signals a larger industry shift away from legacy solutions and toward integrated systems.

“Pool builders are becoming more strategic in how they use technology,” said Eric Fortenberry, Founder and CEO of JobTread. “They want systems that work together. Launching this new integration with POOLCORP helps contractors order materials quickly and seamlessly while delivering a better customer experience.”

The integration gives contractors direct access to POOLCORP’s full product catalog—including inventory, pricing, and ordering—while managing projects within JobTread. This includes access to National Pool Trends (NPT), POOLCORP’s leading building materials brand, trusted by builders and subcontractors for new pool construction and complete remodels. By connecting estimating directly to ordering across materials, finishes, and equipment, the integration helps streamline workflows, reduce errors, and accelerate project timelines.

For POOLCORP, the collaboration represents continued investment in digital innovation. As contractor expectations evolve, distributors and software providers are working more closely to support modern, connected workflows.

“Technology is reshaping how pool professionals operate,” said Todd Marshall, Vice President and Chief Information Officer of POOLCORP. “Partnering with platforms like JobTread is part of our broader commitment to building a more connected ecosystem for our customers. We will continue investing in integrations that help simplify workflows, accelerate project execution, and enable our customers to run their businesses faster and more efficiently.”

About JobTread
JobTread provides construction management software designed to help contractors streamline operations, improve financial visibility, and deliver exceptional project experiences. Launched in 2021 and trusted by more than 10,000 construction companies, JobTread combines estimating, scheduling, communication, job costing, and reporting in a single system, giving contractors real-time financial visibility across every project. Learn more at www.jobtread.com.

About POOLCORP
POOLCORP is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related outdoor living products. Serving thousands of professionals across the industry, POOLCORP supports contractors with a broad product offering, including National Pool Trends (NPT), and a growing focus on digital innovation and connected customer experiences.

JobTread Contact:
Taylor Crosby
Director of Marketing
[email protected]

POOLCORP Contact:
Kendall Large
Vice President of Marketing
[email protected]

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SPS PoolCare Acquires Amenity Pool Services’ Operations in Six Sun Belt Markets

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SPS PoolCare

AUSTIN, Texas (May 21, 2026) — SPS PoolCare, the largest swimming pool services company in the United States, today announced it has acquired the majority of Amenity Pool Services’ pool service operations. The transaction, completed in two portions, spans Amenity’s commercial and residential operations in Phoenix, Tucson, and Jacksonville, Fla., as well as its residential operations in Orlando, Dallas, and Port Charlotte, Fla.

The Amenity transaction builds on SPS PoolCare’s January 2026 acquisition of Pool Troopers, which united the nation’s two largest pool service providers. Amenity Pool Services is ranked #3 on the 2025 PSN/Jandy Top 50 Service List, and together, these transactions reflect the company’s capacity to integrate large, complex operations while delivering the consistent, professional service experience that customers depend on every week.

“Amenity has outstanding team members, service standards, and customer relationships cultivated across key Sun Belt markets,” said Lance Martin, CEO of SPS PoolCare. “With this partnership, customers benefit from our expanded network of skilled technicians, advanced scheduling systems, and comprehensive service offerings that keep their pool in top condition year-round.”

SPS PoolCare, a portfolio company of Storr Group, has acquired more than 200 pool service companies since its inception in 2021. The company seeks to provide customers with continuity by preserving existing service schedules, technician relationships, and pricing structures during each transition onto ServiceTitan’s cloud-based platform. SPS PoolCare now serves more than 50,000 weekly recurring residential and commercial customers across 19 markets in five states.

“This transaction represents another significant step in executing the company’s long-term consolidation strategy and further strengthens the platform’s leadership position in the industry. We look forward to supporting the management team through the next phase of growth and integration,” added Fraser Ramseyer, founder of SPS PoolCare and founder and CEO of Storr Group. 

Nation’s largest pool services company acquires operations in Phoenix, Tucson, Dallas, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fla.,and Port Charlotte, Fla. 

  • Acquisition brings new customers, skilled technicians, and expanded market presence  
  • SPS PoolCare has acquired over 200 pool service companies since its inception in 2021.
  • SPS PoolCare now serves over 50,000 weekly recurring residential and commercial customers across 19 markets in five states.

About SPS PoolCare: 

As the #1 swimming-pool service company in the United States, SPS PoolCare is on track to perform over 2,000,000 weekly recurring pool services in 2026 and employs more than 1,000 staff across five states. Backed by Storr Group, the company is focused on growing its family of brands across the Sun Belt, as it continues to make owning a pool a joy. The company is committed to creating a world-class service experience for its customers and to being the employer-of-choice for its team members. Read more at spspoolcare.com

About Storr Group: 

Storr Group is an operationally focused lower-middle-market investment firm that backs, builds, and scales industry-leading platforms. With a rich background in business building, Storr combines world-class operators with strategic M&A, deep integration, and sophisticated technology to drive sustainable growth and long-term value. Storr Group has offices in West Palm Beach, New York City, and Austin. To partner today, visit storrgroup.com

For more information, contact: 

Madeleine Budge 

10 to 1 Public Relations 

[email protected]

(480) 514 – 1070

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