The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) announced this April that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved theANSI/PHTA/ICC7 2020 American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance In Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins. This newly approved standard is a revision of the ANSI/APSP/ICC-7 2013 standard.
The ANSI/PHTA/ICC-7 2020 standard outlines design and performance criteria for circulation systems. This includes components, devices and related technology installed to prevent entrapment hazards in residential and public swimming pools, wading pools, in-ground spas, infinity edge basins, infinity edge-type pools and catch pools, and aquatic recreation facilities.
The standard applies to new and existing installations.
The updated standard corrects some problem areas of the 2013 version, which several states struggled to comply with when it was approved. Also, terms and definitions in the ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 American National Standard for Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies (SOFA) for Use in Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs were not included in the entrapment standard and the revised ANSI/PHTA/ICC-7 2020 standard includes updated definitions. In the 2013 version, the term of simplified total dynamic head (TDH) calculation was removed and not allowed, but the new version corrects this issue.
Additionally, the new standard includes a revision regarding the secured method of determining “maximum flow.” In the 2013 version, the secured method was meant to apply only to commercial pools, but this was not clearly stated.
In the revised standard, “design flow rate” is defined and indicates this flow rate will be used to determine the correct pipe size. The “maximum flow rate” determines the correct suction outlet cover. This new version also mandates that these flow rates are verified when the project is completed by using a vacuum and pressure gauge or a flow meter that is installed per the manufacturer’s instructions. The 2020 version also clarifies confusion regarding “field-built sumps” by addressing who will approve them and how they should be designed.
Finally, the language regarding suction outlets and the way they are required as to number and orientations has been modified.
This change was made to approve certain methods that should be allowed. New diagrams have been added to the 2020 version to clarify the content of the standard.
According to Kris Bridges, International Code Council Board Member and Chair of the PHTA Standards Consensus Committee (SCC), the updated standard is referenced in the 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code, which further enhances aquatic safety for jurisdictions around the world.”
Purchase a copy of the ANSI/PHTA/ ICC-7 2020American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins at https:// portal.phta.org/mx/store/productdetails/ productid/20-315-pdf-2020.
For more information, contact the Standards Department at standards@phta.org or call 703-838-0083.
