standards and codes
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC)
Developed with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) is the only comprehensive swimming pool code coordinated with the I-Codes and PHTA Standards. The ISPSC contains minimum regulations for public and residential pools, spas, and hot tubs using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.
Benefits of the ISPSC:
- Meets or exceeds Virginia Graeme Baker Act requirements.
- Contains APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance.
- Includes provisions for water parks, diving, barriers, general design, and water quality safety.
- Covers fencing, decks, lighting, heaters, circulation systems, pumps, accessibility, diving, sanitizing equipment, filters, and suction fittings.
2027 ISPSC/ICC Code Development Calendar
- February 26, 2024 – ICC releases a series of monographs that collect all proposed changes for the Group A I-Codes. The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) is in Group A.
- April 7-16, 2024 – Group A proposals received by ICC will be discussed at a series of Committee Action Hearings (CAH #1), held in Orlando.
- June 2024 – Group A Public Comments based on decisions made at CAH #1 will be due to be submitted to ICC through cdpACCESS.
- September 5, 2024 – ICC posts comment agenda for actions taken at CAH #1.
- October 23–31, 2024 – 2024 Committee Action Hearing #2 will be held in Long Beach, CA.
2027 ISPSC/ICC/PHTA Monograph of Proposals (updated 3/22/24)
| Proposal # | Section | Section Title | Proponent | Summary/Description | PHTA CAC Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G10-24 Part II | 202 | Definitions | Jennifer Goupil, Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE, American Society of Civil Engineers (jgoupil@asce.org) | Change in definition of handrail to align with 2022 edition of ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE/SEI 7-22). |
Oppose |
| SP1-24 | 202, 202 (New) | Definitions | Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org) | Change in definitions of pools and spas, PHTA CAC proposal with PMGCAC. |
Support with floor mod |
| SP2-24 | 202 | Definitions | Ronald Clements, Chesterfield County, VA (clementsro@chesterfield.gov) | Removal of language from definition of Swimout: "Where located at the deep end, swimouts are permitted to be used as the deep-end means of entry or exit to the pool." Statement is a code requirement, not a definition. |
Support as submitted |
| G1-24 Part V | 301.1, 301.1.1, 401.1, 401.2, 401.3, 501.1, 501.2, 601.1, 601.2, 601.3, 701.1, 701.1.1, 701.2, 801.1, 801.2, 901.1, 901.2, 1001.1, 1001.2 | General Sections | Steven Orlowski, Sundowne Building Code Consultants, LLC (sorlowski@sbcc.codes); Robert Marshall, FCAC, FCAC (fcac@iccsafe.org); Jeff Grove, Chair, Building Code Action Committee (BCAC) (bcac@iccsafe.org); Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org) |
Scope statements throughout ISPSC edited to clarify. |
Support as submitted |
| SP3-24 | 202, 202 (New), 303, 303.1, 303.1.2 (New), TABLE 303.1.2 (New), 303.1.3 (New), 303.1.1, 303.1.2, 303.1.3, 303.2, 303.3, DOE (New) |
Energy | Maureen Guttman, Senior Fellow, Energy Solutions, California Investor-Owned Utilities | Addition of California Energy Code requirements to ISPSC. |
Oppose |
| SP4-24 | 303.1.2 | Time Switches | Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com); Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org) |
Alignment of IECC, IRC, and ISPSC re: on-site renewable energy re: exception for time switch requirements. |
Support as submitted |
| SP5-24 | 305.1, 305.4 | Barrier Requirements | Dan Lenz, All Seasons Dist., Inc., Midwest Chapter of the PHTA (dan@aspools.com) | Removal of powered safety covers as a barrier option. |
Neutral |
| SP6-24 | 305.1.2 (New) | Retractable Pool Enclosures | Daniel Stonkus, Pool & Spa Enclosures, LLC (dan@sunrooms-enclosures.com) | Addition of manual lockable retractable enclosures as an option to fulfill primary barrier requirements. |
Neutral |
| SP7-24 | 305.2.1 | Barrier Height and Clearances | Peter Zvingilas, State of Connecticut, SECTBO | The barrier shall be a minimum of 3 feet (914mm) from the property line. Driven by code enforcement issue related to two fences on property line. |
Oppose |
| SP8-24 | 305.3, 305.3.1 (New), 305.3.1, 305.3.2, 305.3.3, 305.3.4, 305.4, 305.3.2.1 (New), 305.3.2.2 (New), 305.3.2.3 (New) | Doors and Gates | Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org) | Reorganizes Sections 305.3 and 305.4 into one section encompassing all openings in barriers. And it reorganizes the section dealing with openings in a structural used as a barrier (previously 305.4). |
Support as submitted |
| SP9-24 | 305.4, ASTM Chapter 11 (New) | Structure Wall as a Barrier | Alan Korn, CamerEye (alankorn@msn.com) | Addition of "A pool alarm that is listed and labeled in accordance with ASTM F2208 Section Classification Type A 4.1.1, Type B 4.1.2 or Type C 4.1.3" as a secondary form of protection for a structure wall with window or door. |
Neutral |
| SP10-24 | 305.4, ASTM Chapter 11 (New) | Structure Wall as a Barrier | Ed Trevisani, Idc Services, Manager (edtrev3@gmail.com) | Rewrite of option 1 relating to alarm systems for operable windows and doors and addition of "A swimming pool alarm that, when placed in a pool, sounds an alarm upon detection of an accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. Such pool alarm shall be listed and labeled to ASTM F2208, which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared alarms. For purposes of this item, the term swimming pool alarm shall not include any swimming protection alarm device designed for individual use, such as an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water." |
Neutral |
| SP11-24 | 305.4 | Structure Wall as a Barrier | David Renn, PE, SE, City and County of Denver, Colorado Chapter Code Development Committee (david.renn@denvergov.org) |
Reorganization of 305.4 requirements. |
Oppose |
| SP12-24 | 307.1.2, 307.1.2.1, ASTM Chapter 11 (New) | Colors and Finishes | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Interior finish, Munsell grey scale and Luminous Reflectance Value addition. |
Support as submitted |
| SP13-24 | 202, 307.2.1.1 | Aquatic Recreation Facility and Sand Bottom Pools | Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com); Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org) | Alignment of definitions for Aquatic Recreation Facility and Sand bottom pools. |
Support as submitted |
| SP14-24 | 307.2.2 | Materials and Structural Design | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Removal of the 2,500 minimum psi compressive strength exception in 307.2.2 in favor of strength calculated by following American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318. |
Support as submitted |
| SP15-24 | 307.2.2, 307.2.2.1 (New), TABLE 307.2.2, 307.2.2.2 (New), 307.2.2.2.1 (New) | Materials and Structural Design | Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org) | Angle of repose, trenching and excavation, and alignment of structural requirements with IBC and IRC. |
Support as submitted |
| SP16-24 | TABLE 312.4, TABLE 312.4.1 | Circulation System Pipe Material Standard, Circulation System Fittings | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Removal of ABS plastic from circulation system. |
Proposal to be withdrawn |
| SP17-24 | 202 (New), 202, 316.4.1 | Freeboard Surge Capacity | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Changes in calculation of surge capacity, addition of freeboard definition -- modification discussed with TAC and Water Technology Inc. |
Support as submitted |
| SP18-24 | 317.2, TABLE 317.2(1), TABLE 317.2(2), CSA Chapter 11 (New) | Pool and Spa Heaters | Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org) | Change in name from "water heater" to "pool and spa heaters." To prevent confusion with IPC. |
Support as submitted |
| M54-24 Part III | TABLE 317.2(1) | TABLE 317.2(1) Water Heaters | Jonathan Roberts, UL Solutions (jonathan.roberts@ul.com) | Updates the standards used for various pool heaters. |
Support as submitted |
| P19-24 Part III | 202 (New), 321 (New), 321.1 (New), 321.2 (New), 321.2.1 (New), 321.2.1.1 (New), 321.2.1.2 (New), 321.3 (New), 321.3.1 (New), 321.4 (New), 321.4.1 (New), 321.4.2 (New), 321.5 (New), 321,6 (New), 321.7 (New), 321.8 (New), 321.9 (New), 410, 410.1, 608, 608.1, TABLE 608.1, 608.2, 609, 609.1, 609.2, 609.2.1, 609.2.2, 609.3, 609.3.1, 609.3.2, 609.3.3, 609.4, 609.4.1, 609.4.2, 609.5, 609.6, 609.7, 609.8, 609.9 |
Dressing and Sanitary Facilities | Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org); Jeff Grove, Chair, Building Code Action Committee (BCAC) (bcac@iccsafe.org) | Fixture proposal. Addition of shower type definitions. Occupant load calculations and normalization of those calculations so duplicate counting of occupants does not occur. |
Support as submitted |
| SP19-24 | 202, 202 (New), 325, 325.1, 325.2, 325.7.2, 325.3 (New), 325.3, 325.5 (New), 325.4, 325.5, 325.6, 325.7, 325.9.1, 325.7.1, 325.7.2.1, 325.9.2.1 (New), 325.8.2.2 (New), 326 (New), 326.1 (New), 325.8, 326.2.1 (New), 326.2.2 (New), 325.8.1, 326.3.1 (New), 326.3.2 (New), 325.8.1.1, 325.8.2, 326.4.1 (New), 325.8.2.1, 325.8.2.2, 325.8.2.3, 325.10, 325.11, 326.8.1 (New), 326.8.2 (New), 325.12, 327 (New), 327.1 (New), 325.9, 327.2.1 (New), 327.2.2 (New), 327.2.3 (New), 325.9.2 | Equipment Rooms, Chemical Storage Space | Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org) | Update of requirements for equipment rooms and chemical storage spaces, citation to existing and new standards for those requirements, clear separation of requirements for equipment rooms and requirements for chemical storage spaces. |
Support as submitted |
| SP20-24 | 325.5, ACCA (New) | Ventilation | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Addition of ACCA SPS 10 to Section 325.5 to add requirements for the ventilation requirements for equipment rooms. |
Support as submitted |
| SP21-24 | 326 | Indoor Air Quality | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Change in 326 title to "INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND MECHANICAL VENTILATION" |
Support as submitted |
| SP22-24 | 326, 326.1, ACCA (New) | Indoor Air Quality | David Crawford Bixby, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), ACCA (david.bixby@acca.org) | Addition of ACCA SPS 10 to section 326.1 to add requirements for the ventilation requirements for indoor aquatic facilities. |
Support as submitted |
| SP23-24 | 327 (New), 327.1 (New), PHTA Chapter 11 (New) | Operations and Maintenance | Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org) | Addition of reference to PHTA-2 for operations and maintenance requirements. |
Support as submitted |
| SP24-24 | 409.4, 409.4.1 (New), 409.4.1, 409.4.2, 409.4.3 | Lifesaving Equipment | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Addition of rope and float requirement and changes in description of other lifesaving equipment for public pools, removed in 2024 ISPSC. |
Support as submitted |
| SP25-24 | 411.1, 411.1.2, 411.1.2.1 (New), 411.1.3 | Entry and Exit | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Change in entry and exit requirements for shallow-only pools. |
Support as submitted |
| SP26-24 | 504.2 | Timer | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Change in public spa timer requirements -- 10 minutes up to 15 minutes. |
Support as submitted |
| SP27-24 | 604.2, TABLE 604.2 | Turnover | Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com); Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org) | Change in turnover times for lazy rivers, wave pools, and waterslide catch pools. Increase to 3 hours for most of them, per Florida code. |
Support as submitted |
| SP28-24 | TABLE 604.2 | Turnover Time | Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com); Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org) | Change in turnover times for interactive play features (splash pads) to match MAHC and Florida code. |
Support as submitted |
| SP29-24 | 604.2.2, APSP Chapter 11 (New) | Reduced Circulation Rate | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Change from "circulation rate" to "flow rate" and update of language for clarification and to align with the MAHC and PHTA-11. |
Support as submitted |
| SP30-24 | 202, 202 (New), TABLE 604.2, 613 (New), 613.1 (New), 613.1.1 (New), 613.1.2 (New), ASTM Chapter 11 (New) |
Stationary Wave Systems. Surf Basin. Surf Venue. | Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com); Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org) |
Addition of new Surf Basin section and reference to ASTM standards to provide requirements. |
Support as submitted |
| SP31-24 | 701, 701.1, 701.1.1, 701.2, 701.3, 701.3.1, 701.3.2, 701.3.3, 701.3.4, 702, 702.1, 702.2, FIGURE 702.2, 702.2.1, 702.2.2, 702.2.3, 702.2.4, 702.2.5, 702.2.6, 702.2.7, 702.3, FIGURE 702.3, 702.3.1, 702.3.2, 702.3.3, 702.3.4, 702.3.5, 702.3.6, 702.4, FIGURE 702.4, 702.4.1, 702.4.2, 702.4.3, 702.4.4, 702.4.5, 702.4.6, 702.4.7, 702.5, FIGURE 702.5, 702.5.1, 702.5.2, 702.5.3, 702.5.4, 702.5.5, 702.5.6, 702.5.7, 702.6, 702.6.1, 702.6.2, 702.6.3, 702.6.4, 702.6.5, 702.6.6, 702.6.7, 705, 705.1, 705.2, 705.2.1, 705.2.1.1, 705.2.1.2, 705.2.1.3, 705.2.1.4, 705.2.1.4.1, 705.2.2, 705.2.3, 705.2.3.1, 705.2.3.2, 801, 801.1, 801.2, 802, 802.1, 802.3 (New), TABLE 803.1, 805.1, 809.2, 809.2.1 (New), 809.10 (New) |
Onground Storable Residential Swimming Pools, Permanent Inground Residential Swimming Pools | Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com); Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org) |
Change in organization of Chapters 7 and 8 to cover previously overlooked permanent aboveground or semi-aboveground residential swimming pools and provide requirements for them in line with requirements for permanent inground residential swimming pools. Also clarification of rules by devoting Chapter 7 only to storable and Chapter 8 only to permanent. |
Support as submitted |
| SP32-24 | 811.1 | Rope and Float | Gregory Andrew Ceton, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (gceton@phta.org); Jennifer Hatfield, J. Hatfield & Associates, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (jen@jhatfieldandassociates.com) | Removal of requirement for rope and float from residential pools, requirement to identify slope change. |
Support as submitted |
| SP33-24 | 901.2 | General | Andrew Bevis, Chair, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code Action Committee (pmgcac@iccsafe.org) | Removal of time requirement for residential spas. |
Support as submitted |
