Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act • Steven J. Parent, P.E. M.P. • May 20th, 2009
Within the past two decades there have been numerous documented incidents and deaths caused by entrapment in swimming pools and spas. In reaction to this, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted by Congress and signed by President Bush on December 19, 2007. This law, which became effective on December 19, 2008, requires all public pools and spas to have ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 compliant drain covers installed. If only a single main drain is present, a second anti-entrapment system must be installed. Pool owners and operators have one year to bring their systems into compliance.
What This Means for Your Pool and Spa
- By December 20, 2009, your pool or spa, whether it has a single or multiple main drains, needs new anti-entrapment covers that must comply with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standards.
- Your pool or spa that has a single drain must have at least one additional level of entrapment protection such as:
- Safety Vacuum Release - a system capable or providing vacuum release at a suction outlet caused by a high vacuum occurrence due to a suction being blocked.
- Suction Limiting Vent system - a system vented to the atmosphere that will break a high suction when it occurs.
- Gravity Drainage - a gravity drainage system that utilizes a collector tank.
- Automatic Pump Shut-off System - a system that shuts off the pump motor when it senses a high vacuum occurrence.
- No pool or spal is grandfathered or exempt. All public pools and spas must comply with this Act.
What Should You Do to Become Compliant
- Contact your pool service company or a licensed engineer to have your pool or spa inspected.
- In Wisconsin, have plans prepared for the necessary modifications and submit them to the Department of Commerce for review. Plans must be prepared by a licensed engineer.
- Make the necessary modifications as soon as possible but no later than December 20, 2009.
- If you will not be making the modifications until later this season, ask for a notice of intent letter from your designer. This will provide proof to the regulating authorities that you making an effort to bring your pool or spa into compliance.
More Information
Because this is a complicated and wide sweeping rule, you may have questions regarding your particular situation. Feel free to contact me at sparent@baudhuin.com if you have any questions.
Contact Author
- Steven J. Parent, P.E. M.P.