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Sept. 9, 2020

PHTA Reveals the 2020 International Awards of Excellence Winners

PHTA is proud to announce this year’s winners of its International Awards of Excellence, one of the largest, most well-renowned design competitions in the pool and hot tub industry. These distinguished awards recognize exceptional installations of pools, spas, hot tubs, and water features that showcase the most beautiful, creative and innovative work in the industry. Each year, hundreds of entries are submitted by builders across the U.S. and the world.

The PHTA Awards of Excellence competition is open to pool, spa or hot tub builders as well as installers, designers, retailers or service companies that receive payment for the submitted project. The judging panel is comprised of industry professionals along with representatives from related fields, including architecture and landscape design.

See below for the list of 2020 PHTA International Award of Excellence Winners:

Gold Award Winners:

Builders	Category
Alka Pool Construction Ltd.	Technical/Engineering Achievement
Almar Jackson Pools	Pools with a Vanishing Edge - 601 sq. ft. or more
Claffey Pools	Multi-Use Pools
Cody Pools, Inc.	Natural Setting
Covertech LLC	Residential Pools with Automatic Covers
DaVinci Spas	Metal and/or Concrete Spas
DIFFAZUR PISCINES	Spas Built in Conjunction with Swimming Pools
Elite Landscaping LLC	Therapy Pools
High-Tech Pools	Technical/Engineering Achievement
J&M Pool Company	Freeform
JBrownlee Design	Traditional - 601 sq. ft. or more
Pool Environments, Inc	Geometric - 600 sq. ft. or less
Pool Environments, Inc	Traditional - 600 sq. ft. or less
River Pools and Spas	Residential Fiberglass Pools
Ryan Hughes Design	Geometric - 601 sq. ft. or more
Ryan Hughes Design	Pools with a Vanishing Edge - 600 sq. ft. or less
Shasta Pools - Commercial and Olympic	Commercial Water Features
Silver Fox Contracting	Pool Renovations
Superior Pools of Southwest Florida, Inc.	Screened Enclosed Residential Pools
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Recreation/Leisure Pools
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Residential Water Features

Silver Award Winners:

Builders	Category
J.Brownlee Design	Traditional - 601 sq. ft. or more
Cascade Custom Pools: CCG MUSKET RIM	Pools with a Vanishing Edge - 601 sq. ft. or more
Cascade Custom Pools: FERSTLER	Technical/Engineering Achievement
Chaffee's Swimming Pools	Freeform
Claffey Pools	Pools with a Vanishing Edge - 601 sq. ft. or more
Claffey Pools	Residential Water Features
Cody Pools, Inc.	Traditional - 600 sq. ft. or less
Covertech LLC	Residential Pools with Automatic Covers
Elite Landscaping LLC	Pool Renovations
Goodall Pools & Spas	Residential Fiberglass Pools
GW Oliver Construction	Recreation/Leisure Pools
Paragon Pools	Spas Built in Conjunction with Swimming Pools
Ryan Hughes Design	Geometric - 600 sq. ft. or less
Ryan Hughes Design Build	Natural Setting
Stainless Aquatics, A Division of Island Construction Corp.	Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure
Superior Pools of Southwest Florida, Inc	Screened Enclosed Residential Pools
Tipton Spires Design Build	Geometric - 601 sq. ft. or more
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Commercial Water Features
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Metal and/or Concrete Spas

Bronze Award Winners:

Builders	Category
Aquatic Consultants Inc.	Pools with a Vanishing Edge - 601 sq. ft. or more
Clearwater Construction Group	Natural Setting
DIFFAZUR PISCINES	Traditional - 601 sq. ft. or more
Goodall Pools & Spas	Freeform
High-Tech Pools	Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure
High-Tech Pools	Traditional - 600 sq. ft. or less
High-Tech Pools Inc	Geometric - 600 sq. ft. or less
J.Brownlee Design	Residential Pools with Automatic Covers
Ryan Hughes Design	Pools with a Vanishing Edge - 600 sq. ft. or less
Superior Pools of Southwest Florida, Inc.	Residential Water Features
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Geometric - 601 sq. ft. or more
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Pool Renovations
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Recreation/Leisure Pools
Van Kirk & Sons Pools & Spas	Screened Enclosed Residential Pools
Vantage LeisureScapes	Residential Fiberglass Pools
Vue Custom Pools	Metal and/or Concrete Spas
Vue Custom Pools	Technical/Engineering Achievement

"We are proud to honor each these top-notch builders with a PHTA Award of Excellence," says PHTA President and CEO Sabeena Hickman, CAE. “This year, we received hundreds of entries across 35 different categories, and we were truly impressed with the caliber of work among all of the submitted projects. The judging panel had to make some tough decisions, but we believe this year’s winning projects reflect some of the most stunning and revolutionary work in the pool and hot tub industry. Congratulations to all of our 2020 winners!"

EDUCATION

From Search to Sold — 100% Digitally

Make plans to join PHTA member benefits partner Podium on September 14 at Noon ET to learn how your business can manage your customer's journey—from initial search to final sale—digitally. Including:

Optimizing to increase online lead flow
Communicating with customers in their preferred channels
Nurturing leads through messaging
Collecting payments via text

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Keep Current on Risk Management Strategies

Aquatic health casts such a large net that this year's virtual World Aquatic Health Conference has been split into four different education tracks. Fitness Promotion and Risk Management is our second education track to be featured.

Sessions in this area answer questions such as why aquatics make you healthier or what really happens if guests don’t rinse off before they jump in a pool. (Hint on the latter: it's bad things!) Additionally, given the impact of COVID-19 on the pool and spa industry, the Fitness Promotion and Risk Management Track will feature a roundtable panel discussing lessons learned from the pandemic.

REGISTER TODAY | VIEW THE PROGRAM

Speakers for these seminars range from textbook editors and Olympic trial swimmers, to chemists and International Swimming Hall of Fame Chairs. The one thing our diverse group of experts has in common is that they are all eager to impart their knowledge to WAHC attendees.

Virtual ISPSC Course Available Later this Month

Join PHTA on Tuesday, September 21 and Thursday, September 23 from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET to understand the intricacies of the International Swimming Pool & Spa Code.

Presented by Kevin Tucker, the president of Educational Leverage, LLC in Austin, Texas, this course will address ICC/ASPS/ANSI Standards within the code; examine entrapment TDH, sanitation, disposal, and storage; review heaters, pumps, and filtration; identify hydraulic design and data requirements for permit approval; and demonstrate how to calculate TDH.

The two-day class is $299 and includes the ISPSC 2018 Code and Commentary book

REGISTER TODAY (Registration closes on September 17)

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Umbrellas Made for the Pool

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LEARN MORE

Take Advantage of the Best Prices of the Year — Sale Ends Sunday!

Don't miss the biggest sale of the year with up to 50% off PHTA's best online courses, books and gear. But hurry - supplies are limited! Sale ends September 13, 2020

CLICK HERE TO STOCK UP ON THESE POPULAR TRAININGS!

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Field Service Professional Online Course
This online course provides training for service professionals and pool operators on how to perform routine maintenance at residential and commercial pools. Field Service Professional offers pre-field experience, giving technicians the extra confidence they need on the job. NOW ONLY $27.50

OSHA Online Course Season Pass
Twenty-one OSHA compliance courses. Six months of access. One pass. Can you afford not to buy it? NOW ONLY $199.95

Aquatic Safety Compendium
Despite the high relative safety of pools and spas, injuries are often catastrophic. This valuable, science-based resource provides factual information to help you understand risks based on an objective view of facts. With contributions from leading aquatic industry experts, this publication offers a comprehensive discussion of safety and legal issues. NOW ONLY $49.97

MEMBERSHIP

Are You Ready for Your Insurance Audit?

The swimming pool industry has done surprising well through the COVID pandemic. In fact, most of our members have had one of their best if not their best year.

With these top and bottom-line increases comes more profits for sure but be wary of the Grim Reaper Insurance Auditor and IRS come the early next year.

Almost to a tee, Aqualine Insurance clients have exceeded their projected revenue and payrolls. There will be a price to pay for this. Are you ready?

We are here to help prepare you to take full advantage of your increase in profits as well as to help prepare you for your upcoming insurance audit.

Contact Brandon Riggs for more information today.

ADVOCACY

COVID-19 Updates

Tennessee: This order allows deadlines for building code and building plan inspections to be extended to respond to the effects of COVID-19. This provision has been extended through September 30 by Executive Order 59.

Maryland: This order provides guidelines for the state as they begin to move into Stage Three of the Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery. This order further re-opens Maryland, making the following changes to current guidelines: a) Indoor theaters where live performances occur or motion pictures are shown may open to the general public at 50% capacity, or 100 people per auditorium—whichever is less—with appropriate health and safety protocols in place. b) Outdoor venues where live performances occur or motion pictures are shown outdoors may open to the general public at 50% capacity, or 250 people—whichever is less—with appropriate health and safety protocols in place. c) Capacity for retail establishments and religious facilities may increase from 50 to 75 percent. The order went into effect September 4.

Georgia: The executive order allows for amusement parks, carnivals and water parks to open up as long as safety guidelines are followed for COVID-19. The order allows amusement parks, water parks and carnivals to open under certain conditions. These conditions are enforcing social distancing through signage, providing workers with personal protective equipment and limiting contact between patrons and workers. Online training is provided to workers and they are required to wear face masks. Patrons must wear face masks at all times and are encouraged to utilize contactless payment.

North Carolina: Governor Roy Cooper (D) has issued an executive order outlining a new Phase 2.5 of reopening. This executive order continues to encourage high risk individuals to stay home and everyone to continue social distancing. This measure requires all people, except those meeting the requirements of an exemption, to wear a face covering indoors and outdoors. Face shields will no longer count as face coverings. If a customer states that an exception applies, a business may choose to offer curbside service, provide home delivery, or use some other reasonable measure to deliver its good or services. To enforce this requirement citations will be written only to businesses or organizations that fail to enforce the requirement to wear face coverings. LEARN MORE

Delaware: This order is applicable to visitors of businesses and provides that while visiting a business, indoor or outdoor space open to the public, individuals are required to wear a face covering, and provides certain exceptions. Businesses and individuals responsible for indoor and outdoor spaces open to the public shall require employees, contractors, and volunteers to wear a face covering, with certain exceptions. LEARN MORE

Michigan: This order requires all amusement parks, arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, indoor climbing facilities, indoor dance areas, roller rinks, ice rinks, trampoline parks, carnival or amusement rides, water parks, and other similar recreational or entertainment facilities to remain closed in response to COVID-19. This order allows all public swimming pools to open in the State, subject to the rules in the Workplace Safeguards order (Executive Order 2020-175 or any order follows from it), on September 9. Water parks must remain closed. This order goes into effect immediately. LEARN MORE

Oregon: The Oregon Public Health Division proposed amendments to rules to implement the Governor's Executive Orders related to COVID-19. The rules include provisions impacting public pools and spas. The proposed rule notice was published in the State Bulletin. A public hearing will be held on 9/15/2020. Comments will be accepted until September 16. LEARN MORE

Please continue to visit PHTA's website for reopening resources and guidance.

PRODUCT SHOWCASES

Waterco's 1st Stage Centrifugal Filtration

Waterco’s award winning MultiCyclone is a brilliant revolutionary filtration device that works on the basis of centrifugal water filtration. It captures 80% of the dirt load before it ever reaches the media filter and is designed with no moving parts and no filter media to clean or replace.

LEARN MORE

Advocate for the customer!

Protector for the vendor in the pool and hot-tub industry! RBS Planet, Inc. will market your products and product lines through our established network. We would welcome the opportunity to show you how RBS Planet, Inc. can benefit your company by becoming part of your sales force.

LEARN MORE

Update on COVID-19 Liability Bills

Virginia: This measure amends state code in order to provide civil immunity. This measure provides that in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, no person will be liable for any civil cause of action arising from any act or omission alleged to have resulted in the contraction or exposure of COVID-19. This measure states that the provisions of this measure will constitute an affirmative defense and they will not limit or abrogate any other defenses or immunities available at law. This measure specifies that the provisions apply to claims arising no later than 180 days after the expiration or revocation of all states of emergency declared by the Governor related to the COVID-19 pandemic. LEARN MORE

STATUS: Lawmakers failed to find a balance between safeguarding businesses and protecting workers who may be exposed to the virus and the original sponsor of the bill, Senator Saslaw (D) opted to strike the measure from the calendar.

South Carolina: This resolution creates South Carolina code to establish the "South Carolina COVID-19 Liability Safe Harbor Act." This resolution applies to the entity and all employees thereof of (i) any for profit or not-for-profit business entity; (ii) any South Carolina government agency, division, authority, board, commission, instrumentality, political subdivision, municipality, county, or other governmental entity; (iii) any health care facility or provider. This resolution stipulates that covered entities and individuals who reasonably adhere to any applicable published guidance, directive, order, or rule provided by a governmental agency are entitled to a safe harbor from liability for any acts or omissions resulting from a Coronavirus Claim. LEARN MORE

STATUS: Introduced in the Senate on September 2.

California: This measure amends Section 3212.86 of the Labor Code to mandate workers' compensation coverage for critical workers exposed to COVID-19. This measure is applicable to employers that provide workers' compensation to employees. This measure defines "injury" for a critical worker to include illness or death that results from exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), until January 1, 2023. This measure allows for the presumption of injury from the workplace if fellow employees experience positive test results and would require an employee to exhaust their paid sick leave benefits and meet specified certification requirements before receiving any temporary disability benefits or, for police officers, firefighters, and other specified government employees, a leave of absence. Under this measure, "critical worker" means a public sector or private sector employee who is employed to combat the spread of COVID-19. If enacted, this measure will take immediate, emergency effect. LEARN MORE

STATUS: Passed Assembly; Senate concurs in Assembly amendments; ordered to be engrossed and enrolled.

Please visit this link on the PHTA website for updates on additional liability bills.

PRODUCT SHOWCASES

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Senate GOP 'Skinny' COVID-19 Relief Bill Announced

Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the long-awaited "skinny" COVID-19 relief package, entitled the "Delivering Immediate Relief to America's Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act." A summary of the bill can be found here, and the full text can be found here. Alongside the announcement of the legislation, Majority Leader McConnell declared that the Senate would vote on the bill tomorrow, Thursday, September 10.

The bill is expected to cost somewhere between $500 billion and $750 billion - below Senate Republicans' initial $1T bid for COVID-19 relief, known as the HEALS Act, and far below the $3T "Heroes Act" passed by House Democrats.

What Does the Bill Do?

The Senate "skinny" bill would:

Restore some of the extra unemployment benefits that expired on July 31, though the additional supplement would decrease from $600 to $300.
Create a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Small businesses can get loans equal to 2.5 times their average monthly payroll costs, with a loan maximum of $2 million.
Reduce liability for businesses, hospitals, churches, and schools stemming from the pandemic.
Convert a $10 billion loan to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) approved in the spring into a grant.
Fund COVID-19 testing.
Provide $105 billion through an Educational Stabilization Fund, as well as additional provisions for private-school students.
Expand the above-the-line tax deduction for contributions to charitable organizations from $300 to $600 and create a two-year tax break for donors who contribute to scholarship funds that offer money for homeschooling.
Provide $31 billion for vaccine development and for the Strategies National Stockpile.
Allocate $16 billion for contact tracing and disease surveillance.
Provide $20 billion for farmers.
Allocate $5 billion annually over the next two years in federal tax credits for contributions to state programs that award scholarships to private schools.

Notably, the bill does not include a second round of direct cash payments for Americans who make below $100,000. The bill also does not include more funding for state and local governments that have seen budget shortcomings, despite bipartisan support in the Senate or state and local aid.

Non-COVID-19 Items Impacting the Industry

Oregon: The Oregon Department of Energy adopted updates to Energy Efficiency Standards. This rulemaking is in response to Executive Order 20-04 which was signed by Governor Kate Brown in March 2020 and directs the Department to establish standards for certain products. Portable electric spas are subject to this rulemaking. The rule would require compliance with the 2019 edition of the ANSI/APSP/ICC-14 standard. It would be effective for portable electric spas that are manufactured on or after 1/1/2022 and sold, offered for sale, or installed on or after 1/1/2022. ORS 469.261 requires a one-year waiting period before Department rules establishing or updating appliance energy efficiency standards can become effective. Additionally, ORS 469.261 requires that legislation conforming the standards in statute to the new or modified standards in rule must be introduced in the following Legislative Assembly. The Department plans to introduce a legislative concept for the 2021 Legislative session to complete this process. The rule changes become effective 9/1/2021. LEARN MORE

Regulatory Updates

Oklahoma: The Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission proposed rules incorporating newer versions of the ICC I-Codes into the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC). This includes the 2018 International Building Code. The state-specific amendments to Chapter 31, Special Construction, do not include state-specific amendments to Section 3109, Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. The rules also incorporate the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC) into the OAC. The electrical infrastructure of pools falls under NEC Article 680. Like with other kinds of electrical infrastructure, Article 680 lays out the requirements for safe installation and accessibility of electrical equipment, but it also lays out requirements meant to avoid the electrification of water. The 2017 NEC includes several updates to Article 680's provisions on pool feeder wiring (680.25) and hydromassage tub bonding (680.74). The Oklahoma rules incorporate these without changes, but they ban the use of any underwater luminaries above the voltage limit set in 680.2, which is lower than the voltage limit allowed specifically for luminaries in the original 2017 NEC 680.23. A public hearing is scheduled for October 26, with comments due October 15. LEARN MORE

Virginia: The Virginia Department of Health is discussing amendments to regulations for tourist establishment swimming pools and other public pools. The purpose of the proposed action is to update the chapter with modern standards for health and safety at water recreation facilities, including standards for water quality, facility maintenance and operation, safety equipment, and water re-circulation systems. Comments are due September 30. PHTA staff will be discussing the amendments with our Virginia chapters and encourage input from our members who work in Virginia. LEARN MORE

For updates on all legislative and regulatory issues that could impact your business, please visit the PHTA website.

Local Updates

Beverly Hills, CA: On September 1, the City Council considered the first reading of an ordinance amending the Beverly Hills Municipal Code to establish a water supply shortage plan through conservation and rate stabilization to establish shortage reductions by class and rate adjustments needed during shortages declared by the City to offset the revenue shortfalls caused by mandatory conservation.

Placer, CA: On September 1, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to consider amendments to the County Conservation Program.

Fernley, NV: On September 2, the City Council considered adopting the bill. On August 19, 2020, the City Council considered Bill #288 modifying building code ordinance adopting the 2018 Uniform Plumbing and Mechanical Code, 2018 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code, and delete standard 2017 Accessibility ANSI A117.1.

Lower Merion, PA: On September 14, the Planning Commission will discuss an ordinance to amend the Code of the Township of Lower Merion, Chapter 155, entitled Zoning, including minor edits to several sections of the new Zoning Code, including amendments to definitions, fencing, accessory structure and swimming pool standards, storm water management inspection standards, and minimum parking standards in Special Districts.

Questions or input on any legislative, regulatory, or local matters should be directed to PHTA Senior Manager of Government Relations Grason Wiggins.

PHTA UPCOMING EVENTS

OCT. 15-16

Virtual World Aquatic Health Conference

MORE INFO

NOV. 11-13

2020 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo

MORE INFO

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

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NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH PARTNER

AFFILIATES

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Dennis Hall, Director of Publishing, 469-420-2656 | Download media kit
Suzanne Mason, Content Editor, 202-684-7177 | Contribute news

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