Annual grant recognizes those who advance recreational water safety

(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Dr. R. Neil Lowry Grant. Nominations are due by Friday, August 12.

Given in the memory of Dr. Robert Neil Lowry, a long-time member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and the Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC), this $5,000 grant honors a public health official or department who has made outstanding contributions to advance the public’s health and safe use of recreational water in pools, spas, and waterparks through educational, safety, operational, and technical programs.

Dr. Lowry was a well-known educator and consultant to the pool and spa industry in the United States and Canada. He had a global impact while serving on the RWQC, was a member of the Hot Tub Council of Canada, established Lowry & Associates in 1985, and was the original author of Pool & Spa Chemistry: A Testing & Treatment Guide. As chief educator and owner of the Lowry School of Pool & Spa Chemistry, he certified thousands of pool water technicians. His passion for health and safety will always be remembered by those who knew him.

To be considered for the Lowry Grant, the public health official or department must describe their planned or proposed program, the service provided and how it benefits public health and safety, the impact of the expected results, and how the grant funds will be used.

For the first time, the winner will be honored at the World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC), presented by PHTA, taking place in Houston, TX, on October 12-14, 2022.

“The core purpose of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance is to promote safe and healthy pool and hot tub environments for people to share enjoyable aquatic experiences,” says Genevieve Lynn, PHTA Director of Standards and Technical Services. “The Lowry Grant shines a much-needed spotlight on the individuals and organizations who are committed to recreational water safety. Without their hard work and dedication, the pools and waterparks they serve would not be the same. The positive impact this grant has had on communities around the country honors the memory of Dr. Lowry.”

Past winners of the Lowry Grant include: City of North Richland Hills, 2021; Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, 2019; Arizona Department of Health Services, 2018; Quechan Parks & Recreation, 2017; Riverside County California Department of Health, 2016; Columbus Public Health, 2015; Middlesex-London Health Unit of London, Ontario, 2014; Brevard County Environmental Health Services Department, 2013; Sacramento County Environmental Management Department, 2012; Alexandria Health Department, 2011; City of Houston, 2010; and City of Plano, 2009. 

For more information about the Lowry Grant and to submit a nomination form, visit https://www.phta.org/membership/promote-your-business/phta-awards-of-excellence/dr-r-neil-lowry-grant/.

###

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with more than 3,600 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of 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. About PHTA’s Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC)
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s RWQC develops and maintains verifiable science-based information regarding sanitization technology and chemical products, for use in pools, spas and hot tubs. The committee also helps develop the chemical and sanitation sections for American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved PHTA standards, including the ANSI/APSP/ICC-11 American National Standard for Water Quality in Public Pools and Spas. For a current listing of Committee members or more information, email Genevieve Lynn, Director of Standards and Technical Services, at standards@phta.org.

First complete AI-Camera Pool Safety System that goes from pool construction, inspection to continuous pool safety

SAN DIEGO, CA – June 21, 2022 – CamerEye™ introduces smarter pool construction monitoring and management with the most complete AI-video camera pool safety system and builder portal specially built for the pool industry.  CamerEye transitions from the start of pool build, through construction and alarm inspection to providing ongoing pool safety for homeowners after the job is done. 

CamerEye’s builder portal (http://www.camereye.ai/construction-monitoring) is designed for pool builders who want streamlined job oversight and project management. The smart AI-video camera system and portal allows pool builders to monitor all job sites and construction progress from start to end.

Optimizing Efficiency and Safety with One Intuitive System

CamerEye provides real-time video, analytics, and recorded time-lapse video of construction progress, personnel activity, equipment security, and photo/video documentation, improving safety and quality control while reducing effort and expenses.

Live Video Monitoring 24/7 provides insight into multiple jobs at all times. Remote oversight capabilities help with quality assessment, to minimize supervisor visits to job sites, and allow easy monitoring of crews, subcontractors, and supplies.

Time-Lapse Video and Photo Documentation records and tracks each stage of construction from excavation to shotcrete to pool opening. Recordings and downloadable videos improve accountability, and job site material and equipment security, reducing risk of liability and litigation.  

Unlike motion-based traditional monitoring cameras and outdated pool alarms, 

CamerEye is the only complete AI camera-based safety system that uniquely offers human and pet-only detection and alerts, notifying when personnel are on the jobs, construction is in progress, and if children and pets are near the pool perimeter, all while reducing false alerts of other moving objects. 

For optimal pool safety inspections, CamerEye is the first and only camera-based pool alarm that meets ASTM F2208-08 pool safety standards. It complies with pool barrier laws in 33 states and replaces door alarms, floating pool alarms, and in-pool splash alarms.

Once a project is complete, builders can pass on the already-installed camera system in just one click to homeowners. The advanced pool safety and security system provides 24/7 monitoring, detecting and alerting for humans and pets in and around the water, and provides the fastest distress detection with AI cameras, safeguarding pool areas for their ongoing peace of mind.

“We designed CamerEye from the ground up for the pool industry to monitor, detect, and alert for what matters the most, both on the job site and for homeowners’ pool safety after the job is done, “ says Sai Reddy, CEO and founder of CamerEye. “The system adds an important extra layer of safety that goes beyond construction and inspection without compromising standards, budgets or bottom lines.”

Learn more at http://www.camereye.ai/construction-monitoring.  For a free demo and special builder packages, contact CamerEye at (800) 906-2810, or email info@camereye.ai.  CamerEye is also seeking pool builders and service affiliates and dealers for all territories; visit https://camereye.ai/dealers/ for details.

ABOUT CAMEREYE:

CamerEye’s mission is to make the world a safer place and help save lives by reinventing swimming pool and backyard safety using sophisticated, advanced technology and artificial intelligence detection solutions that provide peace of mind and help to reduce risk. The San Diego, CA-based company exists to continually reinvent and refine safety using technology and artificial intelligence and take safety to a deeper level. 

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. 

“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.