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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpa Info from Spa Co.Masterspas LLC. 6927 Lincoln Parkway Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Phone (260) 436-9100 Fax (260) 407-2605 This letter is intended to help dealers, public health officials, permitting officials and HOAs accurately classify Factory Built Spas and Exercise Spas. Factory built spas and exercise spas are often misclassified due a misunderstanding of how drastically different the product is when compared to a field engineered pools or spas, and above ground pools. These products are certified and audited quarterly by a third-party certification body to the U.L. 1563 and CSA C22.2 standards. They are also compliant with other applicable codes and standards such as ANSI/APSP-6, ANSI/APSP-14 and the ICC International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Factory built spas and exercise spas are built the same way every time and are inspected by the applicable, accredited certification body. Below we’ve provided various industry accepted definitions of spa, exercise spa, and above ground pools which are adopted and accepted by, among other organizations, all Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA/APSP) ANSI standards, as well as the International Code Council’s International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ICC ISPSC). Spa: A product intended for the immersion of persons in temperature-controlled water circulated in a closed system, and not intended to be drained and filled with each use. A spa usually includes a filter, a heater (electric, solar, or gas), a pump or pumps, and a control, and may also include other equipment, such as lights, blowers, and water sanitizing equipment. Permanent residential spa: A spa in which the water heating and water circulating equipment is not an integral part of the product. The spa is intended as a permanent plumbing fixture and is not intended to be moved (see ANSI/APSP-3). Public spa: Any spa other than a permanent residential spa or residential portable spa which is intended to be used for bathing and is operated by an owner, licensee, concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for use (see ANSI/APSP-2). Residential portable spa: Either self-contained or non-self-contained Self-contained spa: A factory-built spa in which all control, water heating and water circulating equipment is an integral part of the product. Self-contained spas may be permanently wired or cord connected. (see ANSI/APSP-6) Non-self-contained spa: A factory-built spa in which the water heating and circulating equipment is not an integral part of the product. Non-self-contained spas may employ separate components such as an individual filter, pump, heater and controls, or they may employ assembled combinations of various components. Exercise spa (Also known as a swim spa): Variant of a spa in which the design and construction includes specific features and equipment to produce a water flow intended to allow recreational physical activity including, but not limited to, swimming in place. Exercise spas may include peripheral jetted seats intended for water therapy, heater, circulation and filtration system, or may be a separate distinct portion of a combination spa/exercise spa and may have separate controls. These Masterspas LLC. 6927 Lincoln Parkway Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Phone (260) 436-9100 Fax (260) 407-2605 aquatic vessels are of a design and size such that it has an unobstructed volume of water large enough to allow the 99th Percentile Man as specified in ASME A112.19.8-2007 to swim or exercise in place. (see ANSI/APSP-6) Hot Tub: See spa Swim Spa: See exercise spa. Aboveground/Onground Pool: Pools with a shallow area water depth of 36 in. (914mm) minimum at the wall and a water depth of 48 in. maximum (1219 mm) at the wall. This includes portable pools with flexible/non-rigid or rigid side walls which achieve their structural integrity by means of uniform shape, support frame or a combination thereof, and can be disassembled for storage or relocation. (see ANSI/APSP-4) Portable Spas and Swim Spas are categorized and defined as one, as they are widely just larger versions of the same, and substantially different in structure, safety requirements, manufacturing differences, and interpretation on the market vs. an above ground pool or field engineered pool. Some examples of industry segregation between above ground pools and swim spas are shown below, but not limited to:  Swim Spas are governed by ANSI/APSP-6 (Standard for Residential Portable Spas and Swim Spas), not ANSI/APSP-4 (Standard for Aboveground/Onground Residential Swimming Pools). If a Swim Spa were an above ground pool, they would be handled by APSP-4.  Swim Spa specific codes fall under chapter 10 (Portable Residential Spas and Portable Residential Exercise Spas) of the ICC ISPSC, whereas above ground pools fall under chapter 7 (Onground Storable Residential Swimming Pools) of the ICC ISPSC  Swim Spas are vastly different than above ground pools in construction, safety requirements and aesthetic value. Some major differences are: o A large swim spa generally holds as much as 2,500 gallons of water and weighs around 25,000 lbs. vs. a large above ground pool that holds as much as 14,000 gallons of water and weighs around 118,000 lbs.  Swim Spa water surface area is significantly smaller than that of an above ground pool, given the inherent size of each design. A large swim spas surface area does not exceed 100 Sq. Ft. of water surface. whereas very small above ground pools exceed 200 Sq. Ft. of water surface area. Masterspas for example, does not manufacture a swim spa with a water surface area larger than 100 Sq. Ft.  Swim Spas can not be broken down and stored, whereas above ground pools can be and are designed to be broken down and stored.  Swim Spas are designed to be used year round  Swim Spas are temperature controlled  Swimming in a Swim Spa does not categorize it as a pool. In fact, it is difficult to swim in most residential pools and above ground pools because of their common small size relative to swimming. Swim Spas allow you to swim in place, so they are more practical to swim in, further outlining that being able to swim or not swim should not be a variable in comparing an above ground pool or any other pool to a swim spa.  Spas and Swim Spas are designed to be used with an ASTM-F1346 cover and not with a fence as a primary barrier, like aboveground and inground pools. Masterspas LLC. 6927 Lincoln Parkway Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Phone (260) 436-9100 Fax (260) 407-2605 In addition to these definitions supported by the ICC, and APSP ANSI approved standards, U.L. also recognizes this product as different than field Engineered product. U.L. 1563 is the “Standard for Safety for Electric Spas, equipment assemblies, and Associated Equipment”. Approved spas to U.L. 1563 can be verified by the marking plate permanently attached to the spa or swim spa. It should also be noted that the industry and organizations such as the ICC, and certification bodies classify a Factory Manufactured Exercise Spa (Swim Spa) as a spa. This product is a variant of a spa, and should NEVER be classified as a pool. This can be confirmed in the field by the reviewing the listing plate located on the exercise spa which indicates that the exercise spa is listed to U.L. 1563, which is a spa standard. Masterspas does not manufacture pools. We manufacture Factory Built Spas and Swim Spas. The product is engineered to comply with U.L. 1563, ICC ISPSC, ANSI/APSP-6, ANSI/APSP- 14, and other sub standards of these main standards. Our product is carefully Engineered to not be confused with an above ground pool as the demographic that is interested in a swim spa would not be willing to compromise the cosmetic effect of that of an above ground pool. The fact that you can swim in a swim spa is not reason to define a Swim Spa as a Pool. There are many bodies of water that can be used to swim in that are not swimming pools and should not be rationale for classifying a swim spa as a pool. In fact, many pools are too small to swim in. Without the aesthetic detail the demographic buyer of a swim spa demands in the backyard space, the product simply would not sell in the marketplace, as opposed to an above ground pool which generally is sold to a lower demographic looking for a body of water in their backyard, willing to compromise aesthetics. Should any questions arise that contradicts anything described in this letter, please contact our Customer Service Department at (800)860-7727. Thank you, Nathan Coelho VP of Engineering Masterspas LLC PHTA Position Statement on the Classification of Exercise Spas INTRODUCTION This document summarizes why exercise spas, also known as swim spas, should be classified as spas and not swimming pools by pool and spa industry professionals and compliance organizations. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is an exercise spa? The 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) defines an exercise spa as: EXERCISE SPA (Also known as a Swim Spa). Variants of a spa in which the design and construction includes specific features and equipment to produce a water flow intended to allow recreational physical activity including, but not limited to, swimming in place. Exercise spas can include peripheral jetted seats intended for water therapy, heater, circulation and filtration system, or can be a separate distinct portion of a combination spa/exercise spa and can have separate controls. These spas are of a design and size such that they have an unobstructed volume of water large enough to allow the 99th Percentile Man as specified in APSP 16 to swim or exercise in place. Does the ISPSC create different requirements for swimming pools and spas/exercise spas? Chapters 5 and 10 of the ISPSC focus on spas, explicitly including exercise spas. These chapters include sections on certification, installation, safety, water quality, and other items that have spa-specific requirements versus other chapters of the ISPSC that create requirements for public and residential pools. The ISPSC references standards for spas and exercise spas including UL 1563 - Electric Spas, Equipment Assemblies, and Associated Equipment. These standards are specific to spas and exercise spas, not relevant to swimming pools. Since an exercise spa can be used for swimming, why isn’t it a swimming pool? As highlighted above, building code and standards requirements on construction, safety, design, and manufacturing for an exercise spa meet those of a spa or hot tub. The ISPSC places exercise spas in the same category as spas, not swimming pools. An exercise spa is large enough to swim in due to its size, just as a lake or pond is large enough to swim in; lakes and ponds would not be considered swimming pools nor should an exercise spa. EXAMPLES OF SWIM SPAS CONCLUSION Based upon this information and despite the potential for swimming usage, it is clear exercise spas (swim spas) should be classified as spas under the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and related building standards. The following definitions appear in the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, PHTA Standards, or the 2005 Master Glossary created by the PHTA’s previous organization (APSP). They have been vetted by pool and spa experts, code officials, safety experts, government officials, and other interested parties. ABOVEGROUND/ONGROUND RESIDENTIAL (TYPE-O) NON-DIVING SWIMMING POOLS. Pools with a shallow area water depth of 36 in. (914 mm) minimum at the wall and a water depth of 48 in. maximum (1219 mm) at the wall. This includes portable pools with flexible/non-rigid or rigid side walls which achieve their structural integrity by means of uniform shape, support frame or a combination thereof, and can be disassembled for storage or relocation. EXERCISE SPA (Also known as a swim spa). Variants of a spa in which the design and construction includes specific features and equipment to produce a water flow intended to allow recreational physical activity including, but not limited to, swimming in place. Exercise spas can include peripheral jetted seats intended for water therapy, heater, circulation and filtration system, or can be a separate distinct portion of a combination spa/exercise spa and can have separate controls. These spas are of a design and size such that they have an unobstructed volume of water large enough to allow the 99th Percentile Man as specified in APSP 16 to swim or exercise in place. ONGROUND STORABLE POOL. A pool that can be disassembled for storage or transport. This includes portable pools with flexible or nonrigid walls that achieve their structural integrity by means of uniform shape, a support frame or a combination thereof, and that can be disassembled for storage or relocation. INGROUND SPA. Non-portable, non-self-contained spa. . RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOL (Residential Pool). A pool intended for use that is accessory to a residential setting and available only to the household and its guests. Other pools shall be considered to be public pools for purposes of this code. Type O. A nondiving residential pool. Types I–V. Residential pools suitable for the installation of diving equipment by type. RESIDENTIAL ABOVEGROUND SWIMMING POOL – TYPE O. A pool of any shape that has a minimum water depth of thirty-six inches (36") (0.91 meters) and a maximum water depth of forty-eight inches (48") (1.22 meters) at the wall. The wall is located on the surrounding ground and is capable of being disassembled or stored and reassembled to its original integrity. RESIDENTIAL ONGROUND SWIMMING POOL – TYPE O. A pool package whose walls rest fully on the surrounding ground and has an excavated area below the ground level where diving and the use of a water slide are prohibited. SPA. A product intended for the immersion of persons in temperature-controlled water circulated in a closed system, and not intended to be drained and filled with each use. A spa usually includes a filter, an electric, solar or gas heater, a pump or pumps, and a control, and can include other equipment, such as lights, blowers, and water- sanitizing equipment. Nonself-contained spa. A factory-built spa in which the water heating and circulating equipment is not an integral part of the product. Nonself-contained spas may employ separate components such as an individual filter, pump, heater and controls, or they can employ assembled combinations of various components. Permanent residential spa. A spa, intended for use that is accessory to a residential setting and available to the household and its guests and where the water heating and water-circulating equipment is not an integral part of the product. The spa is intended as a permanent plumbing fixture and not intended to be moved. Portable residential spa. A spa intended for use that is accessory to a residential setting and available to the household and its guests and where it is either selfcontained or nonself-contained. Public spa. A spa other than a permanent residential spa or portable residential spa that is intended to be used for bathing and is operated by an owner, licensee or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for use. Self-contained spa. A factory-built spa in which all control, water heating and water-circulating equipment is an integral part of the product. Self-contained spas may be permanently wired or cord connected.