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Protecting Workers from COVID-19
The U.S. Department of Labor recently released OSHA guidance from the Biden administration. Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace covers what workers need to know about COVID-19 protections in the workplace, the role of employers and workers in responding to COVID-19, and key measures for limiting the spread.
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.EDUCATION & EVENTS
Construct Long-Lasting Pools
Build pools that you and your clients will be proud of for years to come. Learn how to do that from the best in the industry during the GENESIS® Symposium, March 16–18. Whether you work with shotcrete or fiberglass, or if you want a deeper understanding of the relationship between construction and design, the construction sessions at the GENESIS® Symposium will tell you what you need to know.
- C215: What's New with Tile: Working with Large Format
- C225: Quality Shotcrete Placement for Pool Contractors
- C215: Fiberglass Construction
- C171: Project Profiles – An Interactive Discussion on Design and Construction Series
- C409: Renewing a Masterpiece
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50 Years of Engineering Experience in 16 Hours
Terry Brannon, P.E., GENESIS® Engineering Faculty Advisor, has 50 years of engineering experience — 40 years specifically in aquatics. In his upcoming GENESIS® course, E211: Basic Fluid Engineering, Brannon will teach students how to apply the basic principles, code limitations, and guidelines to hydraulic design; calculate Total Dynamic Head (TDH); and perform the complete analysis of a basic pool/spa combination with a water feature. The deadline to register is TODAY!
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The public may be at risk of Legionnaires disease (and other diseases) from exposure to the water in hot tubs or whirlpool spas. Our comprehensive test provides everything that you need to know, to determine if your spa disinfection system is providing a safe environment.
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.STANDARDS AND CODES
Pool Safety: Pool Interlock Safety Video
The American Chemistry Council recently transferred ownership of a Pool Interlock Safety video (in both English and Spanish) to PHTA. Electrical interlock protection ensures that if the pool pump is disabled or there is any loss or reduction in flow in the circulation system, the chemical feed equipment will also be disabled, avoiding the production of chlorine gas in the line. Exposure to chlorine gas can lead to breathing difficulties and hospitalization. The videos from the American Chemistry Council highlight ways to prevent unintended chemical injection.
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Is Your Water Quality Sound? Browse the Tech Notes Library
The PHTA Recreational Water Quality Committee (RWQC) is pleased to announce that a complete library of informative articles on maintaining water quality is now available. Written from a technical standpoint, these Tech Notes articles illuminate topics such as abandoned pools, West Nile Virus, UV pool systems, prevention of chlorine gas leaks, source water, and more. They were published in AQUA magazine from 2017 through 2021.
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Join the PHTA Glossary Committee
PHTA is looking for up to 15 participants to serve as voting members on the PHTA Glossary Committee. This committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all terms and definitions for the PHTA Master Glossary. You do not have to be a PHTA member, and anyone from the industry—retail, manufacturing, construction, and more—can participate.
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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.
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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.
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Standard for Public Pool and Spa Operations and Maintenance
Members of the PHTA-2 Standard Writing Committee (SWC) for Public Pool and Spa Operations and Maintenance continue to meet weekly to finalize language for an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard. The committee is scheduled to meet each Wednesday through March 3, 2021. Should you have any questions about upcoming meetings or the development of the PHTA-2 standard, please email standards@phta.org.
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The proven alternative filter media — over 20 years of success with tens of thousands of installations throughout the world.
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Spa Electrics designs, manufactures and supplies the swimming pool industry with high-quality pool lighting products. With a passion for innovation and continuous improvement, the company's mission is to find new ways to delight its trade partners and their customers and deliver on their promise of service excellence and product reliability.
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.ADVOCACY
Federal Updates
COVID-19 Relief Package. Last week, nine House committees wrote and advanced their portions of the relief bill along partisan lines. The Budget Committee will combine these pieces into one package, which is expected to be on the House floor the week of February 22. The House and Senate will then "preconference" to work out any disagreements privately. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will then put the House-passed bill on the Senate floor, and if there are any changes upon passage, the bill will be sent back to the House for approval. The key date here remains March 14, which is when enhanced unemployment benefits run out, so there is significant pressure to complete a measure by that date, if not earlier.
Pandemic Update. President Biden announced that the U.S. has completed purchase orders for enough vaccines to be in place by July to give to 300 million people. However, the President also cautioned that logistical hurdles remain, which could still prevent many Americans from being vaccinated by the end of the summer.
Minimum Wage Increase Update. An increase in the federal minimum wage is unlikely to be allowed via the budget reconciliation procedure due to the parliamentarian rules of the Senate. However, under one possible scenario, the Vice President could potentially cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate to overrule the Senate parliamentarian, which has not happened in more than 40 years.
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Legislative Updates
Arizona: SB 1764 sets minimum efficiency standards for certain appliances, most notably portable electric spas. The bill requires portable electric spas to meet the APSP-14 Standard. Status: Introduced on 2/3/2021.
Connecticut: SB 683 establishes new efficiency standards for appliances and products in the state and provides the definitions for such products. SB 683 requires residential pool pumps and pool heaters to meet federal requirements and portable electric spas to meet the requirements of the APSP-14 Standard.
Hawaii: The House Energy and Environment Protection Committee passed House Bill 116 with technical and non-substantive amendments. HB 116 passed second reading as amended in the House and was sent for a hearing and vote to the House Consumer Protection Committee. The committee convened a hearing and voted to pass the bill as amended with further amendments added. The Committee struck provisions that would have established appliance efficiency standards for air purifiers. Appliance efficiency standards for portable electric spas to meet the APSP-14 Standard remain intact. PHTA provided written testimony in support of this legislation to the House Consumer Protection Committee prior to the hearing. Status: Approved with amendments by the House Consumer Protection Committee on 2/10/2021.
Maryland: House Bill 109 (ISPSC state-wide adoption) was taken up for a vote in the House Local Government and Bi-County Agencies Subcommittee. PHTA and the ICC were virtually present during the Subcommittee meeting to answer any questions as the Subcommittee deliberated HB 109. The amendments were adopted and a vote for passage will be taken at the next meeting. If the Subcommittee approves HB 109, the full House Environment and Transportation Committee will take a vote on the bill before a final vote in the full House of Delegates. Status: Subcommittee meeting held on 2/15/2021.
Maryland: The hearing for Senate Bill 418 was heard in the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee on February 10. PHTA provided written and oral testimony in support of amendments added that will add portable electric spas to the list of appliances that would require the APSP-14 Standard. Please click on the embedded link if you would like to watch the hearing. Status: Hearing held on 2/10/2021.
Massachusetts: HD 1210 was sponsored by PHTA in the previous legislative session and ran out of time before the legislature adjourned. HB 1210 requires the Board of Building Regulations to adopt a swimming pool construction and installation work license and a swimming pool maintenance, service, and repair work license. This measure imposes a fine on unlicensed persons who engage in work that requires a license, advertises themselves as licensed when they are not, or engage in work after the expiration of their license. Status: Introduced on 2/3/2021.
Montana: SB 152 was passed out of the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee on February 11 with amendments. The amendments eliminate online training for lifeguarding but maintains CPO online training. PHTA submitted a letter of support as this would allow both the virtual and in-person CPO training to occur. Status: Approved with amendments by the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee on 2/11/2021.
Questions or input on any legislative, regulatory, or local matters should be directed to Jason Davidson, PHTA Director of Government Relations, at jdavidson@phta.org.
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PHTA UPCOMING EVENTS
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E211: Basic Fluid Engineering Learn more |
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GENESIS® Symposium Learn more |
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PHTA Webinar: Basic Water Chemistry for Service Professionals Learn more |
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D204: 3D Modelling + Presentation Graphics Learn more |
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D280: History of Pools and Water Features Learn more |
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PHTA Webinar: E265: Standards, Codes, and Ordinances; A Builder's Guide to Proper Implementation Learn more |
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2018 ISPSC Training Learn more |
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D211: Elements of Design Learn more |
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PHTA Webinar: Prevention of Recreational Water Illness Learn more |
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