Articles
Fiber Replacement Media for Swimming Pool and Spa Filters: Does It Hold Up?
10.31.2018
Aquatics International | Scott Randall | October 17, 2018
NSF International has developed a new reliability and performance test for sand-replacement media. This media is composed of a polymer fiber ball that ranges from 2 to 4 inches in diameter and replaces the sand filtration media in sand filters. These products are often touted as easier to use and less expensive because they are lightweight and composed of plastic polymers. But do they work? …
Overcoming Interferences in Water Tests
10.31.2018
Pool and Spa News | Wayne Ivusich | September 26, 2018
How confident are you in the accuracy of your water tests? An overdose of chlorine or bromine can produce readings that are at times wildly off the charts. Such errors not only foul up sanitation tests, but also make it difficult to gauge levels of pH and total alkalinity — and they affect both the drop-test and color-matching methods. Of course, excessively high sanitation isn’t …
Swimming Pool and Spa Suction Fittings: A Crucial Standard Revised
10.31.2018
Aquatics International | Kevin Schaefer | October 17, 2018
After years of development, a revision has been released of ANSI/APSP 16-2011: American National Standard for Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies (SOFA) for Use in Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs. The update of this crucial standard, meant to aid in suction entrapment prevention, was conducted through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) review process and consensus balloting of the Associ…
Water Conditioning Devices for Swimming Pools and Spas
10.31.2018
Aquatics International | Megan Pattison | October 17, 2014
The Water Conditioning Device Task Group for NSF/ANSI 50 has worked hard over the last year to design, refine and implement a testing protocol to eventually be used for the certification of water conditioning devices. What is a water conditioning device? A water conditioning device (WCD) is any technology or device that, without the use of chemicals, can improve the water quality in a pool o…
What to Know About Cyanuric Acid
04.30.2018
Pool and Spa News | By Nick Rancis | May 2016
Let’s take the confusion out of this water treatment product once and for all. A common household name, cyanuric acid now is in the toolbox of most residential and commercial service professionals who maintain outdoor pools. Since its invention in 1829, CYA has been revered as invaluable and essential to keeping chlorinated pools clean and sanitary. At the same time, scientists and lawm…
Why Swimming Is So Good For You
04.24.2018
Time | Markham Heid | March 2017
Every type of exercise has its selling points. But swimming is unlike any other aerobic workout in a few important ways. First, the fact that you’re submerged in water means your bones and muscles are somewhat unshackled from the constraints of gravity, says Hirofumi Tanaka, a professor of kinesiology and director of the Cardiovascular Aging Research Lab at the University of Texas. This…
A Public Waterpark Inside a Mall? It Could Happen
04.18.2018
Star Tribune | March 2018
As Aquatics International has reported, there is some overlap between waterparks and the great American institution of shopping malls. And it seems the two industries are getting cozier. In the latest possible marriage between shopping and splashing, the owners of the Mall of America are proposing to lease space to the City of Bloomington to own and operate a massive indoor waterpark. The pro…
Expect These Changes in Swimming Pool and Spa Drain Covers
04.18.2018
Pool and Spa News | Steve Barnes | December 2017
Ten years ago this month, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act was signed into federal law. At the time, it plunged the pool, spa and hot tub world into turmoil. Public facilities were hit especially hard, as they had one year to outfit pools with compliant drain covers. Some were forced to close when these products were nowhere to be found. Head’s up! The drain cover stan…
From Pool Schlub to Protected Pro
04.18.2018
Aquatics International | Sandy Kellogg | February 2018
Six years ago, I started out as a pool operator. I took over an outdoor, seasonal community pool, and spent several summers running chemicals around and fighting to keep chlorine in a pool in 100-degree weather. I wore the stains and holes in my clothing with pride. The way I saw it, only real career professionals have chlorine stains, which quickly develop into holes, in all their pants legs.…
Save the Date: The 2018 World's Largest Swimming Lesson
04.18.2018
Aquatics International | Nate Traylor | February 2018
The 9th annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is set for June 21. The event will take place at aquatics facilities in more than 20 countries on five continents over the course of 24 hours. The goal is to expose both kids and adults to life-saving water safety skills and build awareness about drowning prevention. Register now to receive curriculum so that all facilities are teaching the …
