Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

Title XIV Pool and Spa Safety Act
Article - Pool and Spa Safety Act Enacted into Law
Pool Safety Prevails as ICC adopts ANSI-7

Order your Virginia Graeme Baker Bundle to have the information you need to comply!

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.

Florida's requirements are more limiting with 64E-9. Gravity drainage system installation is required.

ANSI-7 summary available:
FSPA Members, log in and in the downloads under government relations you will find an ANSI-7 Summary - Basic Compliance Requirements and Suggested Verification Methods.

Suction Entrapment Prevention brochures are available from FSPA. These consumer brochures are great for companies to give out. Call the office (866) 930-FSPA or download the order form.

CPSC Documents:

• CPSC response to inquiry regarding vacuum line covers and VGB (Oct, 2009)
• CPSC information about the VGB ACT including: new frequently asked questions (FAQs), an updated list of certified manufacturers of drain covers and SVRSs, and other important information for stakeholders.
• 2/2/09 VGB Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
  
• 12/15/08 E-mail Message:
  CPSC has an obligation to carry out the will of the Congress and to enforce the Pool & Spa Safety Act as written.  This message today seeks to clarify our enforcement priorities....  (clickto read entire message)
• 12/15/08 press release: http://cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09065.html
• CPSC staff interpretation - please note change to unblockable drain as listed at top of this page.
• CPSC list of manufacturers with federally compliant drain covers and SVRS
• How to mark compliant covers
• Letter from CPSC’s General Counsel to the Florida Department of Health

FL DOH Documents:

• Technical Protocol
• Cover Replacement Acknowledgement Form
• Fact Sheet
• DOH list of approved drain covers
• DOH Public Swimming Pool & Bathing Places Web site
  

Other Documents:

APSP Suction Entrapment Article - in laymen's terms

Compliance with federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGB Act)
By Jennifer Hatfield, FSPA Director of Government & Public Affairs

The information provided in this article is offered for general informational and educational purposes only; it is not offered as and does not constitute legal advice.

To summarize:
The federal VGB Act requires that by December 19, 2008 ALL public pools and spas must have installed a drain cover compliant with the 2007 ASME A112.19.8 standard.  The VGB Act also requires that by December 19, 2008 all public pools and spas with a direct suction single drain install an additional device (SVRS, vent line, gravity feed, automatic shut-off, or drain disablement).  Approved covers and other devices can be found on the CPSC website or via the FSPA website.

However, public pools and spas in Florida must also meet the DOH requirements found in 64E-9, F.A.C.  Specifically, these 2007 ASME A112.19.8 approved covers must also meet the Florida maximum flow rate of 1.5 fps.  Until recently there were very few covers available that met both the federal and state regulations, but there are now a few products out there, with more forthcoming.  For a list of drain covers that meet both the federal and state requirements see the links above.

In Florida, most public pools/spas are gravity drainage; therefore, they meet the second requirement under the VGB Act.  However, there are approximately 7,000 remaining pools/spas that are single drain direct suction.  The DOH will be requiring all direct suction public pools/spas to be retro-fitted to gravity drainage within the next four years.  These pools/spas can either retro-fit to gravity drainage now to meet the VGB Act or use one of the other options found in the VGB Act.  Using one of the other options will serve as a temporary solution until the pool/spa must comply with the gravity drainage requirement per the revisions to 64E-9, F.A.C.  

If you are a contractor whose customers include public pool owners, help get the word out by notifying them of the federal and state requirements.  Continue to watch for compliant drain covers coming into the marketplace and make an order as soon as possible.  If your order becomes backlogged consider keeping this information on file and providing written documentation to the public pool owner that a compliant drain cover is forthcoming.  The CPSC recognizes that there may be difficulties in complying with the VGB Act prior to the December 19, 2008 deadline.  Making a good faith effort to comply is an important step in the right direction.  Continue to watch for further updates from the CPSC and FL DOH, all of which can be found at www.floridapoolpro.com, http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/water/swim/, or www.cpsc.gov

If you have additional questions on compliance with the VGB Act contact Jennifer Hatfield at:  Jennifer@floridapoolpro.com