From U-T Times in SD.

VISTA — An 8,000-gallon container of chemicals exploded and launched through the roof at a hot-tub factory in south Vista late Thursday night, fire officials said.

No one was injured. A security guard was the only person around at 10:30 p.m. when the container exploded outside the main building of Watkins Manufacturing Corp., Vista Fire Department Capt. Robert Ford said Friday.

Hazardous materials crews from San Diego, the county, and Camp Pendleton were called in about 11 p.m. With company officials they spent the next nearly five hours dealing with the mess, Ford said. He said the cause of the blast was still under investigation.

The company makes Hot Spring and Caldera spas and hot tubs at an industrial park on Park Center Drive, west of Business Park Drive.

The container, 10 feet tall and 8 feet in diameter, held a resin-type of chemical and stood with similar containers on a raised platform behind a wall and beneath a metal roof adjacent to the factory building, Ford said.

The flying container dropped through the factory roof and ruptured the sprinkler system. When water from the sprinklers mixed with the chemical, it created a kind of slurry that did not spread beyond the immediate area or get into any waterways, Ford said.

He said when firefighters got to the factory, they could see light smoke, running water, and debris. There was no fire.

Firefighters called for additional engines and the hazardous materials crews. Ford said further clean-up duties were handed over to company officials early Friday.

I saw this funny (a little sad too) story about a guy who used a hot tub to get warm.  I think he was using it more as warm bath.

Here’s the short article:

Lock Your Hot Tub Covers And Avoid Tresspassers

The past 5 years many hot tub dealers had a tough go of it so when one does well it’s new worthy in my book.

Hot Tub In The Hills

This article is from: Branson Tri Lake News

Posted: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 1:33 pm

By Stephen Herzog |

A down economy doesn’t appear to be hurting Branson Hot  Tubs & Pools.

The business, which opened in 2002, recently expanded its showroom after acquiring 1,500 square feet of the building next door.

The expanded showroom includes 12-16 hot tubs and two additional above ground pools.

“By the grace of God, I guess,” David Foraker said of his business’s ability to thrive in the current economy. “We’ve got a good crew — decent people as honest as can be.”

He said he thinks word of mouth and reliable service has helped them remain strong in an industry that might not normally be considered “recession proof.”

“We have a lot of local customers and we have a lot of people from Arkansas,” he said. “Our reputation has grown and we just work on taking care of customers.”

He said the company has developed relationships with many people in the community through “pool schools” in which he coordinates several experts to provide information at local resorts, camps or hotels about maintenance and efficiency.

He said information includes things like the best use of chemicals, motor maintenance, energy efficiency and current and upcoming regulations.

“We’re not trying to sell them anything,” Foraker said. “We’re just trying to educate them. It’s not a sales pitch.”

The added showroom space takes the business to about 4,500 square feet all together, and Foraker said he believes it’s an investment that should pay for itself.

But he also doesn’t expect this growth to be the start of something new.

“I’d like to stay where I’m at,” he said. “This space was made available because we worked out a good deal with the landlord, but I’m not looking to keep expanding.”

The business will be celebrating its 10th anniversary Saturday with an open house from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The event includes hot dogs and cupcakes, with hourly door prizes and a water care class at 1 p.m.

Branson Hot Tubs & Pools is located at 800 Missouri 248 in Branson.

Our Hats are off to Branson Hot Tubs and Pools.

If you are looking for spa parts, spa filters, or spa covers please visit Hottubworks.com

As any spa owner knows, a cover is essential to maintaining a spa. It keeps the spa protected from small children and pets, and it also keeps insects, dust, and debris from polluting the spa. Unfortunately, they are usually large, unwieldy, and heavy which discourages spa usage because they require so much effort to pull on and off.

Spa cover lift make a perfect accessory to any spa. Not only are they easy to install, but they’re also highly affordable and great time savers. Many spa owners consider them essential because they make it so much easier to enjoy their spa without strenuous effort lifting the cover on and off.

cover valet spa cover lift open

However, the better the quality and weight of the insulated cover, the heavier it will be. In addition, over time, the cover may absorb moisture, thus making it even heavier.

Purchasing a lifter will allow you to enjoy all the benefits of a heavy cover without the manual effort associated with using it. It will increase the pleasure of your spa usage, as well as encourage you to continuously use a cover when the spa is not in use. So, in a way, a spa cover lift can be considered a way to protect your investment.

Since there are many types of covers, a spa owner has many choices when it comes to lifts. Generally, speaking heavier covers average around twenty to thirty pounds. This weight is determined by the quality of the materials used and thickness of the cover.

A Mechanical Lifter Makes the Work Easier

Usually the heavier covers require a mechanical lifter. This is because the cover can get heavier over time as it absorbs moisture. If trying to lift a heavy cover manually, you risk injuring yourself. In addition, even if you are a strong and agile person, you may accidentally break the cover when lifting it on and off. A mechanical lifter makes the work of removing a cover very easy.

A Variety of Spa Cover Lifts

Spa cover lift come in different shapes and in different sizes. The mechanical lifter is ideal for heavy covers. But cheaper models are available as well. These hold the cover for you, making it easier for you to lift manually. The lifts are designed to hold the cover off the ground, thus avoiding damaging them or getting them filled with dirt. Usually, the lifts hold the cover to the spa’s side.

Advice for Buying a Spa Cover Lift

The best way to make an informed purchase is to carefully measure the cover as well as the enclosure’s clearance. It’s advisable to have a minimum of six inches of clearance. And you can even go up to two feet.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Mar 27, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — USA Swimming today announced a partnership with Master Spas, one of the largest portable spas, hot tubs and swim spa manufacturers in the country. Master Spas will become an Official Supplier of USA Swimming.

As part of the partnership, Master Spas will provide a hot tub and a swim spa for swimmers competing in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Swimming, which will take place June 25 to July 2 in Omaha, Nebraska; Master Spas will also be a part of the USA Swimming Aqua Zone fan experience in Omaha, which offers its attendees the ultimate swim-fan experience. Master Spas will hold the “Michael Phelps Swim Spa Challenge,” which will enable fans to see how they measure up against the training speed of Michael Phelps in a Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa by Master Spas.

Every Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa by Master Spas contains proprietary wave propulsion technology that provides a wider, deeper and smoother current for swimmers to train in. Resistance in the swim spa is adjustable through a Swim Number System™ that lets swimmers adjust the flow of the current as they practice.

“The partnership with Master Spas allows us to provide a great service to the athletes competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials, as well as a one-of-a-kind fan experience to gain an appreciation for Michael Phelps’ training in a swim spa,” said Matt Farrell, USA Swimming Chief Marketing Officer. “It also allows the coaches and athletes participating in the U.S. Olympic Trials to use the swim spa system to better prepare for their own performances.”

“Master Spas is honored to be working so closely with USA Swimming to support the hopes and dreams of swimmers,” said Bob Lauter, Master Spas, CEO. “We worked with Michael and his coach, Bob Bowman, to develop a swim spa that would benefit swimmers of all levels and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the swimming community in Omaha and across the country.”

About USA Swimming

As the National Governing Body for competitive swimming in the United States, USA Swimming formulates the rules, implements policies and procedures, conducts national championships, disseminates safety and sports medicine information and selects athletes to represent the United States in international competition. USA Swimming has more than 300,000 members nationwide and sanctions more than 7,000 events each year. For more information, visit www.usaswimming.org .

About Master Spas

Master Spas is one of the largest portable spas, hot tubs, and swim spa manufacturers in the country, operating out of a state-of-the-art 250,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility on 27 acres, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Master Spas’ management team has over 80 years of spa manufacturing success, and one of the strongest track records in the industry. For more information, visit www.masterspas.com .

Hot Tub

Bullfrog Spas unveils new Milton, Ontario warehouse which will help get spas to Canadian hot tub dealers and customers faster.

Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) March 22, 2012

Bullfrog International, manufacturer of portable hot tubs with patented modular technology, announced a new warehouse in Milton, Ontario, Canada today. This warehouse is intended to increase delivery efficiency and to decrease customer wait times for spas purchased from Authorized Bullfrog Spa Dealers in Eastern Canada.

The warehouse is stocked with hot tubs in the most popular models and sizes. Any Authorized Bullfrog Spa Dealer will be able to order from this inventory and get spas to their customers faster.

This is welcomed news to both consumers and to hot tub dealers in Eastern Canada. Kelly Hare, at Premium Pools and Spas, a Bullfrog Dealer in New Brunswick, expressed what this means for their business, “We couldn’t be happier to hear about Bullfrog’s new warehouse. This effectively increases my inventory by 4 or 5 times and lets me get my customer their spa in days instead of weeks.”

Bullfrog Spas is the fastest growing spa manufacturer and continues to expand its presence in Canadian hot tub markets. Danielle Lavallee-Wasson, International Sales Director for Bullfrog Spas expressed her thoughts on what this means for Bullfrog Dealers in Canada: “Opening this warehouse in Milton, Ontario will allow us to better serve our dealership base as well as attract new dealers who will know that this new venture is another move that shows our firm commitment and support of our Canadian clientele.”

For customers looking for a specific custom hot tub model not stocked in the Ontario warehouse they may still order with their Authorized Dealer and have their spa shipped from the factory to their Dealer’s location.

For any questions on Bullfrog’s new Canada warehouse feel free to contact Bullfrog Spas at info@bullfrogspas or by calling 801.565.8111.

Bullfrog executives, including founder and President, David Ludlow, are available for interview.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebnew-warehouse/hot-tubs-canada/prweb9307195.htm

Hottubworks.com carries hot tub covers and supplies for Bullfrog Spas.

The Tampa Home Show Article had this to say:

Sunday was the last day for Florida’s Largest Spring Home Show and the 2012 Tampa Bay Spring RV Show. The home show featured exhibitors that displayed everything from cutlery to water purifying systems to pest control materials to garage doors.

Maggi Honda, a software developer who lives in Land O’ Lakes, rested inside an empty spa.

“Times are getting better,” she said.

She’s in the market for a spa, she said, because she’s planning on building a screened porch. The price tag: $4,300. She said her income allows it. Her job is secure, she said.

“Everybody needs consultants and computer programmers,” she said. “We always are in demand.”

From Iowa:

Afford-A-Spa & Pools of Fort Dodge came with a rippling $3,500 hot tub and a top-of-the-line $10,000 spa. The Sundance Spas Cameo on display has 46 jets, and is adorned with multicolor SunGlow LED lights. It also has a stereo system.

“I wish I could bring a pool in here,” David Folsom, representative, said. “It’s hot enough today.”

According to Folsom, more people buy pools than hot tubs in the summer.

“In the summer, hot tub sales slow down, because nobody likes sitting in the hot water in 100 degrees,” he said. “Unless you’ve got aches and pains. Then the hot water always feels good.”

Hot tubs are mostly purchased for use later in the year, Folsom said.

“Most people start using them in the winter,” he said. “Kick it on, sit outside, snow falling on them. It’s great.”

Afford-A-Spa is often a presence at the Home & Garden Expo.

“It’s been great,” Folsom said. “I’ve enjoyed it. Yesterday, there was some good traffic.”

Denny Staley, Casady Bros. Implement of Webster City, brought with him a line of Gravely products, including zero-turn mowers, lawn edgers, push mower and trimmers.

“We try to bring a variety that would interest people, consumers and gardeners,” Staley said.

Staley said participating in the expo for several years has been lucrative for Casady Bros.

“It’s usually a pretty good show,”he said.

Paradoxically, Staley worried that the good weather would affect attendance.

“This year, I don’t know how the turnout’s going to be with nice weather, if we’re going to see a lot of people or if they’re going to stay home and work on their yard,” he said.

Visitors Saturday were treated to four guest speakers: Rick Lamoureux and Lois McCoy from Fort Dodge Earl May Nursery, on preparing for spring and container gardening; Linda Thomas, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, on how to “get ready for spring’s winged wonders”; Rick Edington of Critter Camp on what they offer and on Dogwatch hidden fence systems; and Katie Kitterman, on Iowa Couponing.

The show continues today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Iowa Central Community College’s Continuing Education building.

This is good news for the Hot tub industry which needs to get back on it’s feet.   Good news is good news.

I believe you have requested a quote once before so hopefully this one will arrive. The information you are requesting on a proposed cover for your Rio Swim Spa at 198” x 90” is enclosed. After reading, if you have any questions or wish to proceed, please give me a ring at 800-770-0292. ….and by the way….if you are shopping price alone, this may not be what you are looking for. If on the other hand, you want the best engineering, function, longevity, quality and warranty in a hot tub cover, I suggest you read on!

There are many levels of spa cover quality and pricing, so before your eyes drop down to the quote below, please note the differences between our product and others you may be considering. As a company that is used to shipping better than 1400 covers a month, we need to be sure our product is the best available today – and it is.

Any dimension which exceeds 96 inches is considered oversized. You should be able to find a few companies able to quote a cover this size, and some may actually have lower quotes than mine. The real key will be the warranty and the ability of the company to build a cover that will last and stand the test of time while providing good insulation and a lower utility cost.

The oversized covers we manufacture are designed mostly as four panel covers, however a cover this size would need to be a six panel cover. We do not fabricate five panel covers because the engineering is not conducive to a well made cover or a cover that can be tapered appropriately.

The overall taper is 4 inches with the center point thickness at 6 inches and the outer edge measurement at 2 inches. This gives the cover a full 4 inch slope which is imperative in climates where covers need good rain drainage and/or snow melt capabilities. This design is supported by a framework composed of 10 galvanized steel braces on each side of all hinges and both sides of where each pair of panels attach with a Velcro flap (2)
One of the best advantages of this type of cover is the ease of use and storage. This cover would fold and stack to 33” wide x 90” long x 24″ thick.

In short:
Based on a Rio Swim Spa at 198” x 90” three piece, six panel cover.

● Center panels 6-5 inch taper, 1# foam.
● Middle panels 5-4 inch taper, 1# foam.
● Outer panels 4-2 inch taper, 1.5# foam.
● Each three panels are attached with a vinyl hinge; however we can have each panel attach to the next with a Velcro flap if preferred. (Total of 5)
● Otherwise, each hinged set of panels will connect to another with a Velcro flap. (Total of 2)
● Total taper is 6 to 2 inches for rain run off.
● Total of 10 “U” channel braces span the spa for extra strength.
● Covered in 30 oz. marine grade vinyl with UV inhibitors built in.
● 12 safety straps (nylon webbing covered in matching vinyl)
● 6 handles.

Five year non pro-rated warranty.
Base price door to door, shipping included: $1649.99

Options available:
Foam upgrade to 1.5# and 2# @ $210.00 (Better strength and insulation; r value ranges to 19)
Foam upgrade to 2# all panels @ $310.00 (Better strength and insulation; r value ranges to 26+)
Continuous center heat seals (2) @ $120.00 (Also better insulation)
Double wrapped foam cores @ $120.00 (Increases thickness of moisture seal from 6 to 12 mil and extends cover life span 2-3 years)
Deck Anchor System @ $120.00 (Better security)
Wind Rated Safety Straps @ $120.00

If need be, I can quote as an oversized four panel cover however the six panel cover will be stronger and easier to remove and replace

The illustrations below show how our multiple panel covers are designed. The first is a four panel cover to show the construction. the second a six panel cover similar to yours.

This is our six panel cover in a four cut corner design. The cover you require would look similar to this.

No matter how you view this process, multiple panel spa covers are expensive. Our approach here has been to develop a cover for large spas that will stand the test of time, present an ease of use and storage and carry the best and longest warranty available. We have found in recent years that the “standard” or typical multiple piece covers being produced are usually flat, and about 3-4″ thick. This kind of construction is usually in the 6 – 8 hundred dollar range and yet has a shorter than average life span. That is primarily due to the flat construction and inability of the cover to handle moisture run off. Most of these covers tend to begin sagging as soon as they pool water or animals start resting or standing on them.

I am including some photos of recently installed four panel covers and three Six Panel Covers.

This is our current Color Selection.

Michael, you will not find a better value for your investment when it comes to our quality, warranty and customer service backup. Should you choose Hot Tub Works, we will work extensively to be sure the cover we manufacture meets all the size specifications as indicated by the information and CAD approvals you will provide prior to construction. Please acknowledge receipt of this mail if possible and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
Best regards,

So if you have a Marquis Reward the drawing below will help you verify exactly that this is your model.

This model was also known as their “Make A Wish” model and I believe one of the most popular models.

Marquis Spas are great hot tubs made in Oregon and have been making spas or hot tubs for about 25 years.

The company is known for great filtration and solid customer service.  The one down side is they have a very limited number of spa dealers.

We find they have most dealer coverage in the North West which makes sense because that’s their backyard.

If you have a Marquis Spa and are looking for a spa cover but a different model, here is a list of all the models: Marquis Spa Covers

If you do not have a Marquis but are looking for a new spa cover or hot tub cover, you can order any shape or model of spa cover here : Spa Covers

Posted by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey on Fri, Mar 2, 2012 at 10:44 AM