Aquatic Design Group Principal Dennis Berkshire was recently featured alongside other industry experts in Life Floor’s article, Why NSF-50 and ASTM Certification Matter in Aquatic Facilities. The article highlights the importance of third-party product certification in public pools, aquatic centers, natatoriums, splash pads, and other commercial aquatic environments where safety, durability, and long-term performance are essential.
With decades of aquatic design experience, Dennis brings valuable insight to the discussion of NSF-50 and ASTM standards for aquatic facilities. As a voting member and former chairman of the technical committee of the NSF-50 Joint Committee, Dennis has helped advance industry conversations around product testing, aquatic safety, material performance, and risk reduction in public swimming pool design. Dennis has been named twice as part of the “Power 25” by Aquatics International Magazine for his work as a technical committee chairperson for the Model Aquatic Health Code.
The article explains why certified aquatic products matter when selecting materials and systems that must perform under demanding conditions, including constant water exposure, pool chemistry, heavy foot traffic, cleaning protocols, humidity, and long-term facility use. Products that meet NSF-50 and ASTM certification standards help establish a trusted standard of care for facility owners, architects, engineers, aquatic designers, contractors, and operators.
Dennis emphasizes that product certification is not just a technical requirement. It is a critical part of designing safer, more resilient aquatic facilities. Certified products can help protect swimmers and staff while also supporting better decision-making, improved facility performance, and reduced liability throughout the life of an aquatic project.
Read the full article here to learn more about why certification matters in the planning, design, and operation of safe, durable aquatic facilities. Thank you to Life Floor for including Dennis and Aquatic Design Group in this important industry conversation and for helping bring attention to the role certification plays in safer aquatic facility design.