Jennifer Hatfield FSPA Government Relations Consultant

J. Hatfield & Associates, PL

Topics to cover:

◦Pool & Spa Energy Code Requirements

◦Residential Code Requirements

◦Building (Public) Code Requirements

◦Existing Pool & Spa Changes

◦ADA requirements

◦Misc. Code Requirements

How’d we get here?

◦ State law requirement to provide pool and spa energy efficiency

◦ Florida Building Commission implemented state law with 2010 Code

◦ Went into effect March 15, 2012

Pool & spa energy efficiency requirements:

◦ FEEC, Section R403.9 for Residential, along with APSP-14 and APSP-15

◦ FEEC, Section C404.7 for Commercial

Lower Energy Use

Setup

Pipe Pump

3rd APSP-7 Suction Safety

2nd APSP-15 Energy Efficiency

1St APSP-5 Residential Pools

NSPI-5 Select pump from database capable of 50 ft. @ 60 gpm,

or more, by using manufacturer’s pump curves and

calculated TDH from the project design specifications

No Yes Yes Yes

1 ½ hp two-speed

1 hp two-speed

¾ hp single-speed

½ hp single-speed

3rd APSP-7 Suction Safety

2nd APSP-15 Energy Efficiency

1St APSP-5 Residential Pools ✔

APSP-15 Select any single-speed pump from database, or a multi-

speed with at least one flow listed for Curve A that is 36

gpm, or less.

No Yes Yes

Yes Yes

1 ½ hp two-speed

1 hp two-speed

¾ hp single-speed

½ hp single-speed

Curve A

Yes

3rd APSP-7 Suction Safety

2nd APSP-15 Energy Efficiency

1St APSP-5 Residential Pools ✔

✔

APSP-7 The design points for APSP-5 and APSP-15

DO NOT APPLY to APSP-7.

Use manufacturer’s pump curve and calculated TDH.

1 ½ hp two-speed

1 hp two-speed

¾ hp single-speed

½ hp single-speed

Maximum System

Flow Rate

Pool filtration pump can: ◦ Turnover pool in 12-hours or less

◦ Power to backwash filter

◦ Perform intended jobs

Pipe sized so maximum design flow rate does not exceed: ◦ 8 feet-per-second in suction pipe

◦ 8 feet-per-second in return pipe

Pool filter pump sized for 6-to-12 hour* turnover

Timer/controller

Filtration pipe from pool-to-pump-to-pool 6 feet-per-second all suction pipe

8 feet-per-second all return pipe & backwash valve

Filter ◦ Sized for 6-hour turnover, or maximum

filtration/design flow rate, whichever is greater

Cartridge 0.375 (gpm/ft2)

Sand 15 (gpm/ft2 )

Diatomaceous Earth 2 (gpm/ft2)

(*12 hour turnover for NSPI-5)

No drains, or

VGB-2008 Suction Outlet fittings (drains) ◦ Select drains with flow ratings at or above the

Maximum Operational/System Flow Rate of the pool and spa system

◦ Must assume all valves are open resulting in the lowest possible TDH for that pool or spa system

Pipe size calculated and verified so maximum system (operational) flow rate does not exceed: ◦ 6 feet-per-second in dual-drain branch pipe

◦ 8 feet-per-second in main suction pipe

Pool gallons

(to determine Curve A or C)

Calculate filtration flow rate

(pool gallons ÷ 360 minutes)

Select pump from database any single-speed, or

Multi-speed pump with Curve A or C listed flow

rate <= calculated filtration flow rate

Applies only to Residential Pool Filtration Pumps & Pump Motors

Does not regulate pumps used for other features, such as booster pumps for cleaners, waterfall pumps, etc. Only pumps that filter water for the main filter pump.

Spa pumps are also not included

Excludes auxiliary filters not used to maintain water quality, example: fountains, waterfalls

Per the Florida Code, the Residential Pool Pump & Motor provisions: ◦ Apply to all new construction

◦ Apply to existing construction IF code of job exceeds 30% of assessed value of pool structure

Prohibits split-phase, shaded-pole or capacitor start-induction run type pump motors.

Requires pool pumps & pump motors with a total horsepower of 1HP or greater to have the capability of operating at two or more speeds.

Pool pump motor controls for use with a two-speed or greater pump shall have the capability of operating the pool pump at a minimum of two speeds.

Maximum filtration flow rate : Depending on the volume of the pool, the pool filtration flow rate shall not be greater than the rate needed to turn over the pool water volume in six hours or 36 gpm, whichever is greater.

◦ Per Addenda A, this does not apply to

single speed pumps.

This means that for pools of less than 13,000 gallons the pump shall be sized to have a flow rate of 36 gpm or less and for pools of greater than 13,000 gallons, the pump shall be sized using the following equation: Maximum Filtration Flow Rate (gpm) =

Pool Volume (gallons) / 360

Residential pool filtration pumps shall be selected from the CEC Appliance Efficiency Database for Residential Pool Pumps, or the APSP Appliance Efficiency Pool Pump Database.

Either database can be used to verifying compliance.

For multi-speed and variable-speed filter pumps, at least one speed shall have the flow listed for Curve (A or C) that is less than the maximum filtration flow rate.

Curve A = 17,000 gallons or less

Curve C = greater than 17,000 gallons

Filter Sizing: Filters must have a minimum area based on the 6-hour turnover filtration flow rate (pool gallons / 360 minutes):

◦ Cartridge 0.375 (gpm/ft2)

◦ Sand 15 (gpm/ft2 )

◦ Diatomaceous Earth 2 (gpm/ft2)

When used, filter backwash valves must be 2 inches or the diameter of the return pipe, whichever is greater.

Pool piping and pipe fittings must be sized so that the velocity of the water at maximum filtration flow rate does not exceed 8 feet per second in the return line & 6 feet per second in the suction line.

EXCEPTION: Pipe and fittings do not include equipment connections or internal equipment piping of, but not limited to, suction safety systems, pumps, heaters, and sanitizing devices.

Pipe Size 1.5" 2" 2.5" 3" 3.5" 4" 5" 6"

Nominal GPM @ 6fps 38 63 90 138 185 238 374 540

Nominal GPM @ 8fps 51 84 119 184 247 317 499 720

For pool filtration pumps a length of straight pipe that is at least 4 pipe diameters shall be installed before the pump.

At least 18 inches of horizontal or vertical pipe shall be installed between the filter and the heater or dedicated suction and return lines, or built-in or built-up connections shall be installed to allow for the future addition of solar heating equipment.

Directional inlet fittings are required.

Sweep elbows encouraged, not required.

Applies to Commercial & Residential

Applies to new & existing (heaters sold and installed must meet minimum requirements)

Minimum federal standards for heat pumps

(4.0 COP) and gas (82% - as of 4/16/13) ◦ Heat pumps must meet AHRI 1160 and have a

test report from an independent laboratory ◦ Gas heaters must meet ANSI Z 21.56

Pool heaters fired by natural or LP gas shall not have continuously burning pilot lights.

All pool heaters shall have a readily accessible on-off switch that is mounted on the outside of the heater and that allows shutting off the heater without adjusting the thermostat setting.

Time switches shall be installed to control pool heaters and pumps that can automatically turn the heaters and pumps off and on according to a preset schedule. Heaters, pumps and motors that have built in timers shall be

deemed in compliance with this requirement.

Exceptions: ◦ Where public health standards require 24-hour

pump operation. ◦ Where pumps are required to operate solar- and

waste-heat-recovery pool heating systems. ◦ Where pumps are powered exclusively from on-

site renewable generation (Residential only).

Heated swimming pools and in-ground permanently installed spas shall be equipped with a vapor-retardant cover on or at the water surface or a liquid cover or other means proven to reduce heat loss.

◦ Exception: Outdoor pools deriving over 70 percent

of the energy for heating from site-recovered energy (such as a heat pump) or solar energy source computed over an operating season.

403.9 FEEC requires that portable spas comply with ANSI/APSP-14.

Portable Spa Manufacturers will need to ensure compliance with APSP-14.

Ask for certification from the manufacturer.

Residential swimming pool provisions have always been found in two code books, the Residential Codebook and the Building Codebook.

◦ Chapter 41of Residential (will become Chapter 42 in the 2013 code)

◦ Chapter 4, Section 424.2 of Building (will become Section 454.2 in the 2013 code)

There have been no major changes in the residential pool requirements (besides energy) since the adoption of the ANSI/APSP-7 Suction Entrapment Standard in the 2007 Code.

There have been other standards where new editions are now referenced: ◦ APSP-4 (aboveground standard)

◦ APSP-5 (inground standard)

◦ APSP-6 (portable spa standard)

Major provisions found within the code other than in the APSP standards include:

◦ Barrier provisions – has stayed the same except for updates to conform with/reference the most recent edition of the UL pool alarm standard.

◦ Pools in flood hazard areas:

R4101.4.2.1. Flood hazard areas. Pools installed in flood hazard areas established in Section R322 shall comply with Section R322.2.4 (A Zones) or R322.3.3.1 in coastal high-hazard areas (V Zones).

Public/Commercial swimming pool requirements have always been found in two places: ◦ Building Code, Chapter 4, Section 424.1 (will become

Section 454.1 in the 2013 code)

◦ Chapter 64E-9, FAC – the public pool rule developed by the Department of Health

Per legislation passed in 2012, this rule is being changed to remove all construction provisions, to eliminate duplication with the code. What will remain is maintenance, safety and water quality provisions.

Changes to 424.1 (454.1) have always coincided with any 64E-9 rule changes.

A change addressing fixtures was made in 2010.

The 2013 Code will provide a number of changes to ensure consistency or to make sure construction provisions that may be taken out of 64E-9 due to the 2012 law, will be found in the Building Code.

424.1.6.1.1 Required fixtures. A clarification was made to prevent adding the building fixture count to the pool fixture count, when determining the number of fixtures required for commercial swimming pools that only serve a designated group of dwelling units and that is not for use by the general public.

NEW Exception: When a public swimming pool meets all of the following conditions the following shall apply: 1. the pool serves only a designated group of dwelling units,

2. the pool is not for the use of the general public, and

3. a building provides sanitary facilities;

the fixture requirement for the building shall be determined and if it exceeds the requirement in Table 424.1.6.1 then the building requirement shall regulate the fixture count, otherwise the fixture count shall be based on the requirement for the pool. Under no circumstances shall the fixture counts be cumulative.

The 2013 Code will also make a few changes to what has been the current practice in the following areas:

◦ Obstructed decking allowance

◦ Doored access points from public rooms to the pool

◦ Min. height above surface of pool for river rides

◦ Alternative underwater lighting systems if manufacturer specifications provide equivalency.

◦ Rinse showers must be provided within fence.

◦ Elimination of DOH reference.

Section 613: Residential Swimming Pools & Spas -Provides that any pool or spa component or system undergoing alterations (not repair) comply with Chapter 41 of the Residential Code (the residential pool chapter).

Section 613.1 Exceptions:

Installation of pavers or coating to an existing pool or spa deck,

Retiling a pool or spa, Re-plastering or re-lining a pool or spa, except

the drain cover must comply with the 2007 ASME A112.19.8 Standard,

Installation of a water filtration or sanitization component or system,

Installation of an automation or a time switch component or system, and

Installation of a heating component or system.

Section 613.2-Specifically requiring pool or spa circulation systems or components undergoing alteration to comply with Section 6 of the ANSI/APSP-7 Suction Entrapment Avoidance Standard.

With the 30% assessed value rule for pool pumps/motors AND the 2012 declaratory statement, section 613 has limited applicability.

The 2010 code put in new section 613 for existing pools and spas, but this section will be removed in the 2013 code.

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, a federal regulation, applies to public entities & public accommodations (commercial facilities)

The 2010 revision applies to both new & existing commercial pool and spa facilities ◦ As of January 31, 2013 means of access must be

provided in all existing pool and spa facilities.

FL law, Chapter 553, F.S, and the 2012 Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction requires compliance with ADA provisions and provisions are consistent for pools/spas except that Florida also requires private clubs to comply.

Accessible Means of Entry to Pools & Spas: found in Sections 242 and 1009 of both the 2010 ADA Standards & the FL Accessibility Code

The 2012 FL Accessibility Code for Building Construction requires new commercial pools or spas to comply with 2010 federal ADA Standards (including private clubs)…effective March 15, 2012

The FL Accessibility Code does not appear to address existing commercial pools and spas and the FL DOH will simply reference the 2010 ADAAG.

Regardless of state enforcement, compliance is required by the federal government. ◦ Complaint driven statute

◦ Private lawsuits

Existing pools/spas are to be in compliance effective January 31, 2013 unless: ◦ There is a historical nature of the facility or

◦ Compliance is not readily achievable (hard argument to make in most pool/spa applications)

What are the permitted means of access? Pool lifts, sloped entries (ramps), transfer walls, transfer systems, or stairs.

◦ The criteria that each of these means of access must meet can be found in chapter 10, section 1009, of the revised ADA guidelines or FL Accessibility Code, a link can be found on the FSPA website.

◦ What type of means of access that must be used and how many means of access required, depend on the structure.

Larger pools (greater than 300 linear feet of pool wall) require at least two means of access and smaller pools (less than 300 linear feet of pool wall) require at least one means of access.

When providing only one means of access, it must either be a pool lift or sloped entry (ramp).

1008.1.10 Panic and fire exit hardware. An exception to panic hardware requirements found in Chapter 10 of the Building Code:

◦ allowing outdoor gates from residential and commercial swimming pools or pool decks to go without such devices unless the pool deck serves as a portion of the means of egress of a building or has an occupant load of 300 or greater.

Removal of the GFCI exemption for certain pumps.

The NEC applies = all hardwired and plug-in pumps must have GFCI protection installed.

◦ As of 5/28/11 it is a violation of UL 1081

for UL Listed pool pump motors not to include the GFCI requirements within the installation instructions.

For energy efficiency information go to: www.floridapoolpro.com/industry/energy.html

For ADA information go to: http://floridapoolpro.com/industry/govtrelations/ADA.html

All Government Regulation information go to: http://www.floridapoolpro.com/industry/govtrelations/