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Florida Update
New Pool Bonding Rule Imminent, APSP-7 Suction Entrapment Standard to Take Effect in 2008

On August 21, the Florida Building Commission (FBC) adopted the equipotential bonding rule into its 2007 Building Code, which was consistent with the legislative bill that allows for a single wire alternative to the bonding grid. The new building code also adopts the ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance.

In June, the FBC voted to approve the same code modifications that had been approved by its Plumbing Technical Advisory Committee in March. The entire code was adopted by the FBC at the August meeting and will become effective October 1, 2008.

According to Jennifer Hatfield, Director of Government and Public Affairs of the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA), prior to the 2008 effective date, FSPA will send out reminders about the upcoming changes. These changes can be reviewed in past editions of Florida Pool Pro. The most important change is the adoption of ANSI/APSP 7, American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins.

FSPA is developing a continuing education class on this standard, and is also working with building officials to educate their departments–and consumers–in advance of the new code taking effect.

The pool bonding rule, which echoes National Electrical Code language finalized in July, was also adopted at the August meeting. This rule can be found on the floridapoolpro.com website. It provides for a single wire alternative to the bonding grid and includes a new section dealing with the bonding of pool water. Subsection (c) provides that an intentional bond of a minimum conductive surface area of 5,806 square mm (9 square inches) shall be installed in contact with the pool water. This bond shall be permitted to consist of parts that are required to be bonded in section (2) of the rule. The rule is expected to be filed in October and will become effective 21 days after filing.

Both of these rule adoptions were the culmination of tremendous hard work by many people in the industry. The changes will provide safe methods of constructing pools for consumers, something the industry can be proud to have accomplished.