The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and the International Code Council (ICC) have announced the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved publication of two revised standards: PHTA-4: American National Standard for Aboveground/Onground Residential Swimming Pools and PHTA-5: American National Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools (PHTA-5).
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.
Changes to PHTA-4 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.
PHTA-4 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.
https://issuu.com/thephta/docs/ansi_phta_icc-4_2025_american_national_standard_fo https://www.phta.org/standards-and-codes/phta-standards/purchase-or-read-phta-standards/phta-4/
The new PHTA-4 standard is available to read here or purchase here. For more information, or visit the PHTA-4 webpage.
The newly revised PHTA-5 standard provides specifications for new construction and remodeling of residential inground swimming pools and includes design, equipment, operation, and installation. It applies to permanently installed pools intended for noncommercial use as a swimming pool by not more than three owner families and their guests, and exceeding 24 inches in water depth.
Changes to PHTA-5 include a new section on non-diving pools, clarifying that certain sections of the PHTA-5 standard only apply to pools designed for diving. This new section will help the industry design safer swimming pools by following clear construction provisions.
Additional content for circulation system pipe material standards and circulation system fittings standards was added, and requirements for barriers around the pool are now included. Other revisions include https://issuu.com/thephta/docs/ansi_phta_icc-5_2025_american_national_standard_fo https://portal.phta.org/Store/Product-Catalog/Product-Details?productid=%7B33C27A4B-C63C-F011-B4CC-6045BD0A7F27%7D https://www.phta.org/standards-and-codes/phta-standards/purchase-or-read-phta-standards/phta-5/
egress requirements in vanishingedge catch basins.
PHTA-5 applies to pool builders, installers, building code officials, local municipalities, and consumers who wish to enjoy this type of pool.
The new PHTA-5 standard is available to read here or purchase here. For more information or visit the PHTA-5 webpage.
Federal, state, local, and international authorities, as well as industry members and consumers, recognize the need for modern, up-todate 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-5 standard explains certain criteria for the design, equipment, installation, and use of residential inground swimming pools.
For more information, email standards@phta.org, or call (703) 838-0083.
mailto:standards%40phta.org?subject=
https://portal.phta.org/Store/Product-Catalog/Product-Details?productid=%7B64C37D25-9A26-F011-8C4E-00224808B4C7%7D
