Pool operators get held to standards they didn't write. At the federal level: EPA, OSHA, CDC, CPSC, DOJ. At the industry level: the ANSI/APSP/ICC suite and NSF-50. At the public-health level: the CDC's Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). Your local code is a remix of all of them.
This pillar is the operator's guide to which rules apply to you and where to find the current version. No lawyer talk — just the structure so you know what to check before a construction project, a new service agreement, or a health-department visit.
The layers of pool regulation
| Layer | Who | What |
|---|---|---|
| Federal law | Congress | VGB Act (drain covers), ADA (accessibility) |
| Federal agencies | EPA, OSHA, CPSC, DOJ | Chemical registration, worker safety, drain enforcement, ADA enforcement |
| Public health | CDC | Model Aquatic Health Code (voluntary), RWI surveillance |
| Industry standards | ANSI/APSP/ICC, NSF, UL | Design, construction, equipment certification |
| State | FL DOH, state agencies | Licensing, public-pool permits, state pool code |
| Local | County health, city code | Building permits, occupational licenses, enforcement |