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The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act ("the Act") promotes the safe use of pools, spas, and hot tubs by imposing mandatory federal requirements for suction entrapment avoidance and by establishing a voluntary grant program for states with laws that meet certain minimum requirements as outlined in the Act.
By December 19, 2008, the Act requires:
1. Safety Drain Covers: Each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States shall conform to the American National Standard ASME A112.19.8 – 2007 Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Compliance with this standard will be enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
2. Public Pool Drain Covers: Every public pool and spa, both new and existing, shall be equipped with drain covers conforming to the ASME/ANSI A112-19.8 – 2007 standard described above.
3. Public Pool Drain Systems: Each public pool and spa with a single main drain, other than an unblockable drain, shall be equipped with one or more additional devices or systems designed to prevent suction entrapment that meet the requirements of any applicable ASME/ANSI standard or applicable consumer product safety rule. In addition to a compliant drain cover, such additional devices or systems include a safety vacuum release system (SVRS), or suction limiting vent system, or gravity drainage system, or automatic pump shutoff system, or drain disablement, or other system determined by the CPSC to be equally effective in preventing suction entrapment.
4. Dual or Multiple Drains: Dual or multiple main drains must be at least 3 feet apart.
Pools and spas not open on December 19, 2008, are not required to be in compliance until the day the pool or spa is re-opened.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that to eliminate and not just mitigate the drain entrapment hazard in pools and spas, pool owners should disable old drains or build new pools without any drains and use gutters, overflows and/or skimmers to provide water to the pump.
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