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The heat is on!

No. I don’t mean summer! I mean that the heat is on our industry! Legal heat! Did you know that you could get sued for not saying something. That’s right. In the eyes of the law and everyone else

(except your competitors), you are the polished professional, the excellent expert, the grand guru of all things related to the pools that your business serves. If you don’t tell them about the latest and greatest pool safety gadgets then you are negligent and possibly at risk of being held responsible for mishaps.

Enough to make you cry? There is more. Other folks are stealing profits that should rightfully be yours. You can make a positive impact on your bank account

by selling safety. That’s why you cannot afford to miss this next meeting. It’s next week so clear the calendar. Don’t eat (we’ll feed

you) and head for the Doubletree next Tuesday.

Phil Grider, NSPI San Diego President

San Diego Chapter www.spa.and pool.org

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July 2001

JULY 10 SAN DIEGO NSPI GENERAL MEETING Doubletree

Jul 26-28 Board of Directors Sun Valley Lodge,Sun Valley, ID Jul 28, Retailers Council Sun Valley, ID Aug 21-24 Industry Leadership Conference San Diego, CA Aug 22 NSPI Hot Tub Council San Diego, CA Aug 24 Deadline for Submission of San Diego NSPI Pool Award Entries Aug 27 Judging of San Diego NSPI Pool Award Entries

Aug 31 Deadline for National Awards of Excellence Entries Sep 14-15 Technical Committee Napa Valley, CA Sep 27-29 Judging National Awards of Excellence Sep 28 San Diego NSPI Pool Awards and Golf Tournament Double Tree - Rancho Penasquitos Oct 9-10 Chemical Treatment & Processing Committee St. Augustine, FL Oct 26 Board Background Papers Due at NSPI Nov 27 Board of Directors Meeting - Phoenix, AZ

Nov 28-30 NSPI International Expo Phoenix, AZ Dec 9-10 NSPI Canada Toronto, Ontario

Calendar of Events

Presidents Letter

Name Company Address (Snail Mail) Address (E-Mail)

Phone Fax

Pager/Mobile

PRESIDENT Phil Grider The Pool Dentist 1340 Bulrush Court Carlsbad, CA 92009 [email protected]

800-215-7665 760-918-0987 619-994-2475

VICE PRESIDENT

Rick Church Quality Pool & Spa Company

15476 Markar Road Poway, CA 92064-2313 [email protected]

858-549-8797 858-679-9042 858-679-8900 619-247-7377

SECRETARY

Mike Ramey

Blake Sales Associates

4229 Cielo Avenue Oceanside, CA 92056 [email protected]

760-941-3812 760-941-3782 619-831-2615

TREASURER

Tom Casebier

Fletcher Hills Financial

7837 La Mesa Blvd. La Mesa, CA 91941 [email protected]

619-668-0770 619-668-0344

PAST PRESIDENT

Kenny Judd Mission Pools

755 W. Grand Avenue. Escondido, CA 92025-2594

760-743-2605x2606 760-743-0384 760-801-4393

Mike Galloway Wateridge Insurance Service

10525 Vista Sorrento Pkwy. Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92121 [email protected]

858-452-2200x193 858-452-6004

Lisa Adams Fiberkote 206 Walsh Street Oceanside, CA 92054 [email protected]

760-754-4552 760-754-4552 760-535-4015

Kim “Red” Barrett SCP, Inc 566 North Tulip Escondido, CA 92025 [email protected]

760-737-7655 760-737-7663 760-458-8033

Matthew Gardner Caldera Spas 9952 Kika Court Suite 5223 San Diego, CA 92129 [email protected]

858-831-0955 858-831-0955 619-889-7727

A. J. Wilson

Like New Pool Service

10224 Baroness Avenue San Diego, CA 92126-1153 [email protected]

619-695-3461 619-695-3461(?51)

619-417-1709

Rob West Trendwest Pools P.O. Box 20624 El Cajon, CA 92021

619-442-6889 619-447-1815

Berwick Drury AqA 2185 Faraday Avenue - Suite 130 Carlsbad, CA 92008 [email protected]

760-427-6792 760-431-5757

Region XI Executive

Laura Wiemer c/o AqA 2185 Faraday Avenue - Suite 130 Carlsbad, CA 92008 [email protected]

760-427-6792 760-431-5757

NEWSLETTER WEBMASTER

Rick English English Pool Consulting

1445 Twenty Eighth Street San Diego, CA 92102 [email protected]

619-338-9197 619-338-9167 619-331-8389 619-818-3052

San Diego NSPI Board of Directors

The National Recreation and Park Association's Aquatic Section has released The Encyclopedia of Aquatic Codes & Standards, edited and primarily authored by Kevin Johnston, aquatic director at Washington State University in Pullman.

The encyclopedia provides aquatic professionals and health departments with "a comprehensive summary of existing state codes and standards for design and operation of aquatic facilities." With 10 chapters covering topics ranging from planning and design to safety and administration, the book is

intended as the first in a series of similar texts devoted to the field of aquatics. The authors culled material from nationwide water recreation facility codes and information supplied by NSPI.

The Encyclopedia of Aquatic Codes & Standards is $22.95 per copy, including shipping and handling. Contact NRPA Aquatic Section, 650 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195, (847) 843-7529. fax (847) 843-3058.

Bob Blake, president of BSA sales, passed away on June 20 at 10:50a.m. in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Bob’s background in the San Diego pool industry goes way back.

The family and the people at BSA are so very thankful for the outpouring of love, concern, and thoughtfulness that so many of you have expressed over the last few days.

Because of the many lives that Bob has touched over the years and with modern day technology, it only took a matter of a few short hours before people from all across the country to Australia were calling to offer their condolences and support.

The folks at BSA will miss him dearly. All of us will. Fortunately he put together a solid organization that is designed to continue to run effectively and efficiently even in his absence.

Bob was cremated in Oklahoma. There will be a

Memorial Service Sat., Aug. 4th, 2:30-5:30p.m. at the Hyatt Islandia Hotel on Misson Bay.

In the meantime, if you would like to express your sentiments through sending something, you may do so by using the Blake Sales address at 4250 Pacific Highway #126, San Diego, CA. 92110 or to: Carolyn Blake, 3311 Ingelow St., San Diego, CA. 92106.

In Memoriam: Bob Blake, Industry Leader

English Consulting Richard J. English

Swimming Pool Consultant 1445 Twenty Eighth Street

San Diego, CA 92102

Pool Inspections • Close of escrow • Forensics Pool Design Pool Sales Training

1-800-864-7946 [email protected]

www.Rick.English.net

NRPA releases Aquatic Codes & Standards Guide

ARTISAN PAK

In 1681, on the outskirts of London, in a small coffeehouse known as Lloyd’s, several men put up their capital to ensure the safe voyage of the vessels at sea. A promise to ensure was drafted, and the men signed their names under this promise.

That is the history of the first generation of underwriters.

We are HDR Insurance Services, underwriters for the NSPI Pool Pak program, and here is our promise to you. HDR Insurance Services, in cooperation with INSCORP and our agents around the state, is committed to offering our insureds the highest quality insurance program available. Customer focus will be our first priority as we continually strive to satisfy our policyholder’s insurance-related needs. NSPI, we are your HDR Insurance Services underwriters, We thank you and your agent for placing your coverage and trust with us.

For further information, please contact Mike Galloway at Wateridge Agency 1-800-223-6756.

Kyocera Solar Inc. (KSI) announced the availability of a line of standardized, rooftop-mounted solar energy systems, called the Kyocera Solar MyGen(TM). These units convert sunlight into AC power which can be used by a residence or business, or sold back to the utility.

During daylight the units generate DC electricity, which is converted to AC and fed back into the utility grid. The home or business owner thus legally ``turns the utility meter backward.'' The user remains connected to the utility grid for a supply of electricity regardless of sunlight conditions.

The Kyocera solar electric module is UL-listed and carries a 25-year warranty. There are 12 systems, from 400-watts to 8-kilowatts available. The 2.3kW AC system is

designed to offset about 60% to 75% of the electrical consumption of a single-family, California home.

The firm estimates a typical electrical demand of approximately 500 kilowatt hours (KWH) per month among single-family California residences. Individual demand may be higher or lower depending on the number of people living in the home, the appliances used and whether the home has a swimming pool and/or air conditioning.

Up to 50% of the total purchase price is eligible for reimbursement through the California Energy Commission's Emerging Renewable Buydown Program. For more information, contact Kyocera Solar Inc.'s Commercial Products Group at 800/544-6466, ext. 7728.

Solar Electric Systems 0n Sale

A birthday bash for one of Tommy Lee's sons turned tragic, when a four-year-old guest drowned in the rocker's backyard swimming pool.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department identified the victim as Daniel Karven Veres, son of television producer James Veres and actress Ursula Karven. The child was found floating face down in the shallow end of the pool at the former Mötley Crüe drummer's Malibu estate.

"He'd been in the pool a few minutes before they discovered him, and it just took those few minutes for the little guy to succumb," one of Lee's neighbors told local affiliate CBS

Authorities say Veres was apparently swimming alone in the pool when he became submerged and fell unconscious. Two partygoers pulled his limp body out of the water minutes later and tried administering CPR while Lee called an ambulance, but it was unfortunately too late.

Veres was pronounced dead after being taken to a nearby hospital

The preliminary cause of death was ruled an accident by asphyxia, or accidental drowning. The official coroner's report will be released in about a week, a spokesperson says.

"This is a tragic accident. Tommy Lee is devastated and has no comment," says Beth Katz, the rocker's spokeswoman.

Let’s not Forget. It does Happen

One of the reasons that this month's meeting topic, layers of protection, is so important is that the pressure from the political and legal environment to mandate layers is simply not going to go away.

In 1996 we fought a long and expensive battle to prevent the adoption of the barrier code. We thought that it would kill business. We lost. Business has been great. Meanwhile, who is reaping the profits from the fences, alarms, etc that have been sold as a result of that action? For the most part, we lost again. And who will still get sued if problems occur? We lose again.

SPEC, our awesome representatives in Sacramento, have been keeping us abreast by fax and email about the latest in the campaign.

Dennis Cardoza, 26th Assembly District and Assembly Rules Chairman, has been trying to push through a bill that would more or less mandate that a Vac-Alert (check out www.vac-alert.com) be installed on every pool. SPEC says that Vac-Alert has contributed to the campaign of Dennis Cardoza.

I am not going to say much about the product. It has been written up in all the major industry publications.

According to SPEC the press is all over this one now. Associated Press interviewed Don Burns. The Modesto See (Cardoza's main district paper) is also writing a major story on the bill. Other reporters are asking questions and doing interviews but haven't called SPEC as yet. But Cardoza is pulling out every stop to get it passed.

He tried to amend the new language to AS 859 while the bill was on the Inactive File. This is a complete violation of the rules (he is Rules Committee Chairman!). Of course if he got away with this maneuver, it would all be a secret. The press, the public, even the legislators would not know a thing until the bill appeared in print.

The Republicans have said they will let the bill out if he amends it to make it apply to all pools - public and residential - and make it retroactive. Gee, thanks, guys! SPEC actually agreed to the amendments. If these amendments are taken, the whole world will come down in opposition to the bill. This is just the Republican way of making sure it dies. Putting dual main drains as an alternative in the bill might make it acceptable to enough legislators to pass it, So the strategy is to kill it by making it apply to all pools and REALLY save kids!

For the exact text go to http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0351-0400/ab_359_bill_20010629_amended_asm.html. You can also just go to www.ca.gov and in the search box type "AB 359" and

click search. Another company, Stingl Products has contacted Cardoza at the request of Vac-Alert.

These two companies and a few others are trying to mandate that we install and retrofit devices that we could make or sell ourselves. How many of us have distribution agreements with these firms? Would those agreements be easier to get before or after the law goes through? Would these companies even be trying to legislate if we were in agreement that a potential problem exists and that solutions will be implemented?

A 1997 report from the National Swimming Pool Foundation concluded that entrapment, evisceration and entailment accidents can be prevented if pools and spas incorporate three design elements:

•Dual main drain, •Antivortex plate or grate drain covers •A maximum pump suction velocity of 6 feet per second. So here is the challenge for us. Assume that some sort of legislation will pass. The press,

Cardoza and these manufacturers will keep hammering. One picture of a disemboweled kid will do more than all the logic and lobbying that we can afford.

This is not the first time that we said a law would not pass, only to see it go through. Some of our customers and us managed to survive.

Certainly we should still continue to fight. But, in the meantime, shouldn't we take the initiative and start promoting, selling and profiting from anti-entrapment systems and other layers of protection. It may or may not please Cardoza, his contributors and the press, but it should please your customers and your accountant.

Legislative Alert: Layers of Protection Mandate

The boy's parents were reportedly not at the party. But signaling possible legal action against the Methods of Mayhem frontman, a grief-stricken James Veres told the Associated Press Sunday that the tragedy might have been averted.

"It was a birthday party like a million other birthday parties and obviously there wasn't enough help at the pool," Veres said. "It's inexcusable and just amazing to me."

The younger Veres was a playmate of Brandon and Dylan Lee, the sons of Tommy Lee and his ex, Pamela

Tommy Lee - continued

On Friday, June 22, 2001 Rene Sanchez wrote an article in the Washington Post that addressed the issue of energy prices.

She starts with a quote from Mike Dunn, vice president of sales at Watkins Manufacturing, "Business has slowed.There's just a new dynamic out there among consumers worried about this situation."

Roy Jacuzzi in Berkeley invented the spa in 1968. California is the biggest market for the industry. The slowdown began after blackouts hit.

In May, residents and businesses cut power use by 11%, a decline that exceeded the state's goal and that could help reduce the threat of blackouts this summer.

Nearly 10,000 businesses have applied to California's Public Utilities Commission with reasons they should be exempted from rolling blackouts.

Sanchez says that hardware stores are reporting record sales of energy-efficient light bulbs, offices are scaling back air conditioning use during late afternoon hours when the state's power grid is most strained, and large retailers and shopping malls are turning off outdoor lights.

Californians already use less energy per resident than almost any other state. Despite that fact, the state is spending $800 million this year to promote conservation. It is offering rebates on monthly utility bills to residents who reduce power consumption this summer by 20 percent or more. Otherwise, they will soon face rate increases of at least 45 percent.

Sales of spas have increased about 30 percent over the last three years. The drop off in sales appears to be confined mostly to California and some states that share the beleaguered Western power grid.

The dot-com crash and the national decline in overall consumer spending also contributed to reduced spa sales. California dealers say that conserving power is the primary culprit

This spring, city council members in Tacoma, Wash. proposed fining residents for using spas and other nonessential appliances. The council backed off amid an outcry from residents and the spa industry.

Fortunately this had not come up in California. Air conditioning, which drains the power supply much more than backyard spas seems to be the focus..

About 350,000 electrically heated, above ground spas are sold in the U. S. each year, about 25% of them in

California. Many question whether Californians will keep

conserving if and when the power crisis subsides. Last summer, San Diego was the first area to get electric rate hikes. Now that rates are back down many residents have returned to their old electric habits.

When all else fails, the law of supply and demand still works. When rates go down, consumption goes up. When rates go up, the suppliers are motivated to add to the supply. If the state spends $800 million per year on conservation promotion, then how many years before they have spent more than the cost of a power plant? (The answer is 1)

The spa industry claims that a spa can run 3 times a week, at a temperature exceeding 100 degrees, and still pay only about $18 for it on a monthly utility bill. Let’s see about that: at $.20 per KWH that translates to 90 Kilowatts. If a spa draws 20 amps at 240 volts then that translates to 18.75 hours that the spa can operate per month. That means 37.5 minutes per day. Is that how all the time clocks are set?

California Spas: Energy Causes Falling Sales

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has long been interested in the swimming pool and spa industry. There is a lot of information at their website: www.cpsc.gov.

Just log on and click search. Then type in the words swimming pool and see what comes up.There is more that 25 years worth of information.

Meanwhile, on June 26 companies unveiled new product safety innovations at the CPSC’s "Product Safety Circle Expo." The conference has attracted over 250 individuals and 100 companies. More than 20 companies presented exhibits relating to product safety.

In addition to industry leaders there was a panel of Washington experts chaired by Robert Barnett, a partner at Williams & Connelly and a panel of media personalities.

CPSC Chairman Ann Brown said: "Safety is good business. It can help improve a company's corporate image and their bottom line..."

One product exhibited was from Savior One. That firm has developed a new swimming pool alarm to sense when a child approaches the pool and set off a warning alarm. The alarm is designed to sound and automatically dial for help to neighbors and to the fire department if a child actually falls into the pool.

A list of exhibitors is posted on the CPSC web site.

CPSC says safety is good for business and profitable too.

When: Tuesday, July 10, 2001

Where: Doubletree Golf Resort 14455 Penasquitos Dr., San Diego, California 92129-1603

Topic: Layers Of Protection

Speakers: Panel of Industry Experts

Cost: Free to Members with a Reservation

LAYERS OF PROTECTION If your vehicle crashes, then your first layer of protection is the seat belt & shoulder harness. The next layer is the air-bag, followed by a padded dash-board, collapsible bumpers and steering column, etc.

LAYERS OF POOL PROTECTION • Supervision - the primary layer (69% of drownings

occur when supervision failed) • High locks on access doors to the pool area • Alarms on access doors • A pool safety barrier separating the pool from the

home • Pool safety covers • Pool alarms • Water survival training for children . • CPR and knowledge of rescue techniques

San Diego Chapter NSPI

1445 28th Street

San Diego, CA 92102

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