Recently, many modifications related to standards have taken place in the recreational and aquatics industries. Although these changes are ongoing, below is a current overview of NSF/ANSI Standard 50 related product types, initiatives, codes, and laws that have been revised or updated and could impact your business. NSF/ANSI Standard 50 is the primary standard to which most pool and spa products are evaluated, tested, audited, and certified. Being up to date on the NSF/ANSI Standard 50 changes can help both you and your business!
The following is a summary of recent changes to NSF/ANSI Standard 50, ongoing ballot items, open task group activities, and related issues.
The 2010 version of NSF/ANSI Standard 50 had the following revisions:
1Addition of UV cryptosporidium inactivation evaluation, testing, and certification requirements.
2Annex I was updated relative to to give relative guidance on chlorinator sizing.
3Residual disinfectant level in pools and spas was revised to refer to local public health codes.
The 2011 version of NSF/ANSI Standard 50 was issued with the following revisions:
1Addition of pump energy efficiency testing requirements (i.e. CEC 400-2009).
2Vacuum service filter marking updated to specify collapse negative pressure.
3Update to data plate marking to allow use of Web address for contact to obtain instructions.
4Skimmer language updated to defer to local codes to determine if an equalize line is required or not.
5Added reference to IAPMO SPS-4 vacuum port fittings evaluation and testing requirements.
6Revised mechanical chemical feeder requirements to allow certification of a fixed rate chemical feeder provided it is installed for use with an NSF 50 listed automatic controller.
7Filtration media section was reorganized and marking and labeling requirements were added.
The 2012 version of NSF/ANSI Standard 50 (due later in 2012) will contain the following revisions:
1Annex H disinfection efficacy testing requirements were revised to specify water quality details, tank sizes, flow rates, and sampling points for bacterial disinfection efficacy testing as well as clarification of the need to test with at least 2 bacterial organisms.
2Batch chlorinator testing conditions of temperture and humidity were harmonized.
3Automatic controller installation instructions shall require interlock with the pump.
4Removable Multi port valve handles shall be designed so they cannot be incorrectly installed.
5D’Arcy Permeability and filter cake density testing is required annually for pre coat filter media.
64 readings (not 3) shall be taken during each ORP test of automatic controllers.
7Barriers standards for evaluation and testing of pool/spa fences have been added.
8UV equipment life testing temperature was raised and thewidened temperature range was widened.
9Copper/Silver ion generators harmonized, no longer must supply test kit with generator.
10Update to require electrical products to be installed in accordance with National Electric Code (NEC ) NFPA70 or other national or local electrical code requirements.
11Updated data plate marking to allow use of Web address for all product marking sections.
12Revised suction fitting standard reference from ASME A112.19.8 to APSP-16-2011.
13Created a new section for pump strainers and marking requirements (currently under review).
14Single rate flow through feeders may now be NSF 50 Certified provided they are used with NSF 50 automatic controllers (currently under review).
Current NSF/ANSI Standard 50 Balloting and Task Group work:
1Fittings: NSF 50 is being revised with a section to address different types of specialty and plumbing fittings such as deck drains, skimmer gutters and overflows, & water returns.
2Valves: update to the valve section to address additional types of valves for pool/spa use.
3Heaters: heat exchangers, heat pumps, and coolers requirements are being added for natural gas fired, electrical, passive and solar radiant collectors as well as cooling systems.
4Swim current generators: spas and swim/exercise spas have finalized criteria for testing and certification of the entire system for filtration, skimming, disinfection, structural integrity, suction entrapment, and other requirements.
5The water quality testing device section of NSF 50 will be updated with additional evaluation criteria to test and certify water test devices for: total alkalinity, hardness, TDS, NaCl-salinity, etc.
6Ultra violet light system requirements are being updated to require performance testing after life testing as well as other revisions.
7Turbidity, filter media, & pre-coat filter requirements are being evaluated for changes that will better corroborate superior passing requirements into more quantifiable results.
8Salt water requirements are being developed that will go beyond the current corrosion resistance requirements and potentially introduce separate tests of products for salt water use.
9Skimmer requirements are being revised to address skimmer designs that don’t have the strainer basket accessed through a hole in the pool/spa deck. Such skimmers tend to be smaller and used on smaller pools and spas such as those for exercise, therapy etc.
10Ozone system testing and evaluation requirements for cryptosporidium destruction are being balloted into NSF 50.
11Pool and spa chemical evaluation and testing requirements are being developed by this task group.
12Chemical feeder requirements are being re-evaluated for different applications such as when the feeder is used with or without an automatic controller.
13Pump requirements are being modified to address 2-speed, multi-speed, and variable speed pumps as well as systems that infer flow rate and other data to ensure that the readings are accurate and not misleading.
14The materials task group is evaluating additional requirements for flexible pool and spa hose such as crush resistance testing, pull load strength and updates to the dimensional criteria.
15Green requirements are being developed for various products such as pumps, filters, skimmers, and other devices. The premise is a performance comparison to systems with and without the “green” product to yield a calculation of energy, chemicals, time, and cost savings.
