Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and International Code Council Publish ANSI/PHTA/ICC-4 2025 American National Standard for Aboveground/Onground Residential Swimming Pools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2025

Media Contacts:
Amy Willer
Director, Content and Communications
703-838-0083, ext. 121 | awiller@phta.org

Donna Campbell
Vice President, Communications
734-660-6518 | dcampbell@iccsafe.org

POOL & HOT TUB ALLIANCE AND INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL PUBLISH ANSI/PHTA/ICC-4 2025 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD FOR ABOVEGROUND/ONGROUND RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS

(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and the International Code Council (ICC) are pleased to announce the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval and publication of ANSI/PHTA/ICC-4 2025 American National Standard for Aboveground/Onground Residential Swimming Pools (PHTA-4).

The newly revised PHTA-4 standard provides recommended minimum guidelines for the design, equipment, operation, and installation of aboveground/onground residential swimming pools. This is an essential document for the pool and hot tub industry, and especially for manufacturers and producers of aboveground/onground residential swimming pools. Consumers who own or are considering installing a pool of this type will find vital safety requirements within.

“PHTA is proud to have spearheaded the revision of this key standard for the pool industry,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “We are grateful to have the ICC as a partner as we continue to improve the design, operation, and safety of aboveground and onground residential pools. We could not have accomplished this without the incredible efforts of our volunteers who served on the PHTA-4 Standard Writing Committee and the subject matter experts who provided their insights.”

The changes to the standard include several new requirements which were added with safety features in mind. Pools with a reinforcing strap or belt around the outside must not be designed in a way that it could be used as a foothold for a child to climb into the pool. Detailed content about barriers around the swimming pool was also added to correspond with requirements in the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Another new safety-related requirement restricts openings and gaps at a certain level below the water surface to avoid underwater entrapment.

“As building codes evolve to incorporate the latest in building science and technology, the standards they reference must also be regularly updated,” says Lisa Reiheld, ICC PMG Technical Resources. “These updates to PHTA-4 are critical to ensuring that the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code remains effective in providing the highest level of protection for communities.”

Federal, state, local, and international authorities, as well as industry members and consumers, recognize the need for modern, up-to-date standards governing the design, construction, alteration, repair, and maintenance of swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, aquatic facilities, and other water-containment vessels. Part of the ANSI/PHTA standards development process includes regular review of existing standards to ensure this need is met. The newly revised PHTA-4 standard explains certain criteria for the design, manufacturing, testing, care, and use of aboveground/onground residential (Type O) non-diving swimming pools and their components.

This standard applies to pool builders, manufacturers, producers, pool service companies, certifying bodies, pool designers, public health and building code officials, local municipalities, and pool and spa operators, as well as consumers who wish to enjoy this type of pool.

The new PHTA-4 standard is available to read here or purchase here. For more information, please visit the PHTA-4 webpage, email standards@phta.org, or call (703) 838-0083.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance:
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members' professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

About the International Code Council:
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.