The National Pool Industry Research Center

The National Pool Industry Research Center became a reality in 2004.  The facility is located on the campus of the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California and was constructed with overwhelming support from pool and spa industry members, with over $850,000 in donations of materials and cash.

The research conducted at the center is under the direction of the University's research team, funded by the National Plasterers Council Research Foundation.

Research Center Facts

√  Cal Poly was chosen as our research institute because it is one of the best universities in the country in material engineering and research of this kind.

√  NPC secured donations and constructed the center at Cal Poly.

√  NPC nor the NPC Research Foundation does not own the center, it's Cal Poly's.

√  The decision of what is being researched is being decided by a committee comprised of manufacturers, distributors, plasterers, builders and service companies.  Representatives from all major trade associations are also represented and have a vote.

√  The research is being funded by the NPC Research Foundation, which is in-turn funded by donations from the pool industry.

√  The conclusions are strictly the Cal Poly Researcher conclusions.  The NPC Research Foundation and the NPC have no input into their conclusions.

The Process of Research Protocols

√   A topic to research is determined by committee.

√   A protocol is written.

√   A budget is presented by the researchers.

√   Once approved the University generates a contract.

√   The NPC requests funding from the NPC Research Foundation.

√   The NPC Research Foundation board approves the funding.

√   Plaster day is held at Cal Poly to start the protocol.

√   Inspection meetings are scheduled to review the progress.

√  Cal Poly researchers write conclusions and new research recommendations.

Department of Cal Poly

Researchers at the center applied to the University for the center to become an official department of Cal Poly.  The University overwhelmingly welcomed the new department in the Spring of 2005. 

Cal Poly's President stated that "this partnership is a model of how industry and academia should work together to gain knowledge and better society as a whole."

The Cal Poly Advisory Board

The following individuals serve on the Cal Poly Advisory Board for the Research Facility:

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