FAQs

Member companies of the PHTCC abide by the organization’s Code of Ethics. In addition, Members are required to carry general liability insurance coverage and operate with a valid clearance certificate issued by the Provincial Workers’ Compensation Agency. 

For more information, it is possible to download the brochure, “Why Hire A Member of the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada” from the “PUBLICATIONS“ section of this website.

Members represent reliability, good service and high quality.

To find a reputable company in your area, use the “Locate a Member” feature on this website. Simply enter your postal code, a reasonable distance from your home, and identify the products/services that you are interested in. The sorting mechanism will provide with a list of PHTCC Member Companies that meet the criteria.

It is possible to find lots of information on water safety on this website as well as at www.safepools.org.  The following organizations also provide information on water safety:

• Lifesaving Society – Canada (http://www.lifesaving.ca/),
• St. John Ambulance (http://www.sja.ca)
• Canadian Red Cross  (http://www.redcross.ca/)
• Parachute Canada (https://parachute.ca/en/injury-topic/drowning/)

In the event of a dispute between a consumer and a Member company, the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada will investigate the problem and attempt to mediate a solution.  

The PHTCC has no authority or recourse in a dispute between a consumer and a non-member company.

Information on the event can be found on the website: www.poolandspaexpo.ca.

• PHTCC Members receive reduced rates on publications.
• PHTCC Members pay lower registration fees to events. 
• PHTCC Members may participate in Chapter networking activities.
• PHTCC Members receive preferred rates on products and services offered through recognized affinity partners.
• PHTCC Members are able to publicize their connection with the association (i.e., logos on websites, stickers, and literature).
• PHTCC Members are listed in the annual directory issued by Kenilworth Media Group.  The magazine, “Pools, Spas & Patios”, is sold to approximately 40 000 consumers across the country.
• PHTCC Builder and Service Company Members may participate in the Design & Construction Awards Competition. 

More information on membership can be found on this website in the “Become a Member” area. 

Provincial building codes cover the building and servicing of public and commercial hot tubs, spas and swimming pools.  Rules address such matters as the number of entrances and exits from the water, the colour of vinyl liners, the maximum water temperature to be maintained, the safety equipment available, bather load, signage requirements, the frequency of water testing, among other specifications. Water purification standards are set by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada. 

The building and servicing of residential swimming pools and hot tubs/spas are less rigorously regulated.  In the absence of building codes for these products in some provinces, the standards generally applied are those issued by the American National Standards Institute is collaboration with the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals at: http://apsp.org/standards/ansi-apsp-standards.aspx

Under municipal jurisdiction for residential installations are such matters as swimming pool and hot tub/spa enclosures (i.e., barriers such as fences), water discharge requirements, lot setbacks, soft landscaping limits, etc.

Members of the PHTCC are encouraged to follow guidelines established by the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada, as posted under ‘Resources’ on this website.

Note: The Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada is a voluntary, not-for-profit association representing the interests of the pool and hot tub industry.  As such it is not considered a harmonized organization, and therefore does not qualify as an accredited national standards-writing body.