CPSC
Consumer Product Safety Commission [CPSC Web site]
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and their Pool Safely campaign teach pool safety. The CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
CPSC changes unblockable ruling (click to read their full statement) - 9/28/11 - The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to reverse the definition of an unblockable drain previously given in an interpretive rule. They decided to change the definition of an unblockable drain to require that the sump (not just the drain cover) measure more than 18 by 23 inches, along with other testing criteria. If the sump is not unblockable, the drain is not. Under the VGB Pool & Spa Safety Act, public pools with a single drain that is not unblockable must install one or more additional devices. The change in definition is retroactive and the deadline for compliance of existing pools is May 28, 2012 unless this is edited after a 60-day public-comment period.
-- CPSC FAQ's for the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act
Barrier Law
At the time of signing a contract for a new swimming pool /spa, a pool contractor (home builder or home developer) is required to provide the customer with a copy of the law - Chapter 515 (Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act) and the approved drowning prevention publication (Consumer Product Safety Commission Publication #362).
Florida Department of Health regulations for
distribution of safety material:
CHAPTER 64E-21 RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS
64E-21.001 Drowning Prevention Education/Public Information Publication.
(1) The educational program required in Section 515.31, F.S., shall be the 1995 American Red Cross Community Water Safety Course which is incorporated by reference and available at a cost from the American Red Cross Chapter located within any Florida County.
(2) Information on drowning prevention and responsibilities of pool ownership is contained in the 1994 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission publication Number 362 (see link above), Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools which is incorporated by reference and available at no charge from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207.
(3) In accordance with Section 515.33, F.S., the document containing the requirements of this chapter shall be Sections 515.21 through 515.37, F.S., 2000, which are incorporated by reference and available at a cost from the Law Book Services Office, Room 612, 111 West Madison Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1400.
Specific Authority 515.31, 515.35 FS. Law Implemented 515.31, 515.33 FS. History-New 7-1-01.
