Graeme Baker Act
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
On December 19, 2007, the President signed into law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool
and Spa Safety Act, named after the daughter of Nancy Baker and the granddaughter of
former Secretary of State James Baker. Graeme Baker died in a tragic incident in June
2002 after the suction from a spa drain entrapped her under the water. The deadline to comply with this law is December 19,2008.
Public Pools not complying by the December 2008 deadline risk fines up to
1.8 million dollars or face possible shut down
With the December 2008 deadline for public pool owners to comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) guideline for public pool safety quickly approaching, public pool owners must take action to add a third layer of protection to their pools and spas before it is too late. What do you need to know to be compliant with the Consumer Product Safety Guidelines (Sec. 1404)?
By December 2008, each public pool and spa in the U.S. must be equipped with anti-entrapment devices or systems that comply with the ASME/ANSI performance
standard. Additionally, each pool or spa with a single main drain – other than an unblockable drain – must be equipped with at least one or more of the following layers of protection to prevent entrapment by pool or spa drains:
What option is right for your pool?
All of the options listed above are effective layers of protection against suction entrapment. However, the SVRS remains the most economical option to bring existing public pools and spas up to code. This is because the SVRS is easily installed into the existing suction line from the main drain at the pool pump or the electrical line at the pool pump – both typically in as little as 30 minutes.
What is the definition of a “public” pool or spa?
Under the new legislation, a public pool or spa means that it is either generally open to the public, whether for a fee or free of charge, or is open exclusively to:
• Members of an organization and their guests.
• Residents of a multi-unit apartment building, apartment complex, residential real
estate development or other multi-family residential area (other than a municipality,
township or other local government jurisdiction).
• Patrons of a hotel or other public accommodations
The Act specifies that on or after December 19, 2008, public swimming pools, wading pools, spas and hot tubs must meet requirements for installation of the new compliant drain covers. In certain cases additional devices or systems designed to prevent suction entrapment may be required in addition to the new covers. New drain covers which meet the current standard are now beginning to make their way into the marketplace. If you own or operate a public pool you will at minimum need to have all your covers replaced with the new approved covers.
and Spa Safety Act, named after the daughter of Nancy Baker and the granddaughter of
former Secretary of State James Baker. Graeme Baker died in a tragic incident in June
2002 after the suction from a spa drain entrapped her under the water. The deadline to comply with this law is December 19,2008.
Public Pools not complying by the December 2008 deadline risk fines up to
1.8 million dollars or face possible shut down
With the December 2008 deadline for public pool owners to comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) guideline for public pool safety quickly approaching, public pool owners must take action to add a third layer of protection to their pools and spas before it is too late. What do you need to know to be compliant with the Consumer Product Safety Guidelines (Sec. 1404)?
By December 2008, each public pool and spa in the U.S. must be equipped with anti-entrapment devices or systems that comply with the ASME/ANSI performance
standard. Additionally, each pool or spa with a single main drain – other than an unblockable drain – must be equipped with at least one or more of the following layers of protection to prevent entrapment by pool or spa drains:
- Safety vacuum release system (SVRS)
- Suction-limiting vent system
- Gravity drainage system
- Automatic pump shut-off system
- Drain disablement
- Other systems
What option is right for your pool?
All of the options listed above are effective layers of protection against suction entrapment. However, the SVRS remains the most economical option to bring existing public pools and spas up to code. This is because the SVRS is easily installed into the existing suction line from the main drain at the pool pump or the electrical line at the pool pump – both typically in as little as 30 minutes.
What is the definition of a “public” pool or spa?
Under the new legislation, a public pool or spa means that it is either generally open to the public, whether for a fee or free of charge, or is open exclusively to:
• Members of an organization and their guests.
• Residents of a multi-unit apartment building, apartment complex, residential real
estate development or other multi-family residential area (other than a municipality,
township or other local government jurisdiction).
• Patrons of a hotel or other public accommodations
The Act specifies that on or after December 19, 2008, public swimming pools, wading pools, spas and hot tubs must meet requirements for installation of the new compliant drain covers. In certain cases additional devices or systems designed to prevent suction entrapment may be required in addition to the new covers. New drain covers which meet the current standard are now beginning to make their way into the marketplace. If you own or operate a public pool you will at minimum need to have all your covers replaced with the new approved covers.
Troubleshooting and Repair Specialists
(760) 537-0289
Copyright . Pool Technicians, Inc.. All rights reserved.
