The New Addition To NSF/ANSI/CAN 50: Float Tanks

By Kristina Laszlo, Senior Manager of Commercial Water for the NSF

Float tanks were recently added to NSF/ANSI/CAN 50: Equipment and Chemicals for Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Other Recreational Water Facilities, to create standardized criteria for these devices, including sanitary requirements. This update offers manufacturers a way to credibly state their product has been tested to industry criteria to help with sanitation claims. Third-party certification of float tanks to NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 demonstrates that a float tank meets these requirements. In turn, manufacturers of these systems should be knowledgeable of what some of the main components of the standard update encompass including the components and types of float tanks added.

NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 Float Tank Scope

The scope of the NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 standard includes several types of float tanks and sensory deprivation systems. Float tanks — including self-contained (float tanks that are factory-built and incorporate all control, water heating, and water-circulating as important parts), non-self-contained (factory-built spas where water heating and circulation equipment is not an essential component), portable, and nonportable systems — are all included in the update to the standard.

Critical components that affect performance and sanitation have also been included in the standard revision to NSF/ANSI/CAN 50. Float tanks that are being tested for certification are evaluated based on the manufacturer’s recommended components as a circulation system for compliance. This includes pumps, filters, flow meters, surface skimming devices, disinfection systems, suction inlets, return fittings, and any other components used for the circulation system.

NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 addresses materials, design and construction, markings, installation, operations and use, circulation, filtration, valve and manifold use, sanitation, and treatment. For example, circulation requirements ensure proper water flow and are required to include two or more suction outlet fittings. Certified systems will have achieved 70% turbidity reduction from a tested challenged solution at a maximum turnover time of 30 minutes.   

Certification

The standard update was initiated to help fill a gap in the pool and spa equipment certification industry. Developed through a public process with input from industry representatives, public health and regulatory officials, certification bodies, testing labs, and users, its purpose is to create standardized regulation for these systems. Certification helps ensure the tanks are compliant with health and safety regulations, thus the large focus on water circulation. As an industry, we can all agree that it is essential that float tanks on the market have an effective water turnover rate in addition to high salination levels for sanitary purposes.

Obtaining third-party certification provides manufacturers with a tool to help show their consumers that their float tank meets product quality and compliance with health and safety regulations of this industry standard. This can help provide a competitive edge for businesses looking to increase their market share. A tip for manufacturers who are looking to earn certification to NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 is to utilize product components that are already certified. This will cut down time and expenses during the certification process. This is not only helpful with the supply chain disruptions that we are still seeing causing delays in product/component delivery but also because of the testing process that components must undergo to achieve certification. This will speed up the go to market time for these companies looking to earn certification.

Health And Wellness

Over the last few years, there has been an increased focus on the importance of good mental health, leading many to create self-care routines to relax and meditate. As we hear about the benefits float tank users are finding, it is noticeable that more people are incorporating them into their self-care routines. While float tanks are generally regarded as safe due to the salination levels in the water, the way the tanks are used differently regarding having minimal user spit, and the water turnover rate, many users still wonder about how sanitary the tanks are. This has led us as an industry to find how we can provide reassurance that these devices are safe — the update to the standard helps us do this.

Whether we like it or not, the past few years have really opened our eyes and increased our awareness of things that are sanitary and not. With this increased awareness of our consumers who partake in recreational water activities too, it is our responsibility as an industry to help educate the public about everyday practices that are ok and others that may be a little more unsanitary. Third-party certification is an additional way companies can help reassure consumers that these tanks are in line with their self-care practices to help improve their mental and physical health.

For more information on NSF/ANSI/CAN 50, you can contact info@nsf.org.