Two New Laws for Residential and Commercial Pools, Effective March 2012

Having a pool in your backyard to beat the summer heat is almost a necessity, but are your summer monthly electric bills draining your bank account?  The answer is yes if you are not using an energy-efficient pool pump, which is why Florida lawmakers passed legislation to require pool owners to dump old power-wasting models for newer ones.  The statewide law, which goes into effect March 2012 states that when the old pump needs to be replaced the pool owner will have to upgrade to a new energy-efficient model.  This law applies to both residential pools and in-ground spas using pumps or motors of one horsepower or greater.

The new law that applies to commercial swimming pools and spas is a new regulation from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.  Providing equal opportunity to people with disabilities is the fundamental principal of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The requirements for newly constructed and existing pools and spas are that all commercial and municipal pools and spas have a means of entry and exit for people with disabilities.  Depending on the size of the pool some pools may require two accessible means of entry, smaller pools are only required to have one.  There are a limited number of exceptions to the requirements.  The date of compliance is March 15, 2012.  Tax credits and deductions may be available to those entities that need to comply. 

For more information you may contact Cox Pools at 850-235-0095 or e-mail rmedieros@coxpools.com.  Information is also available at www.ADA.gov and www.irs.gov