Swimming Pool Main Drain Cover Recall

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with several manufacturers, has announced a voluntary recall of certain pool and in-ground spa drain covers. Some pool and in-ground spa drain covers were determined by the CPSC to have been incorrectly rated by independent third-party laboratories for protection against body entrapment. A replacement or retrofit of these drain covers may be required.

If your pool or spa meet any of the following criteria, they are not the subject of the recall:

If the drain covers in your pool or in-ground spa were installed before December 2008, your pool or spa is not affected by this recall. All of the drain covers affected by this recall were manufactured or sold after December 19, 2008.If the drain in your pool is a "channel drain"–it is in the shape of a long and narrow rectangle, (typically 3 or 4 inches by 30 or 31 inches or longer)-or is 24" x 24" or larger or 9" x 36" or larger-it is not affected by this recall.Hot tubs (often referred to as portable spas) are not affected by the recall, whether they are free standing, placed in the ground or surrounded by a deck
Swimming pools (as opposed to built in wading (kiddie) pools or in-ground spas) that have more than one drain per pump or a gravity drainage system are not affected by this recall.
If you have a kiddie pool or an in-ground spa or swimming pool with a single drain that has drain covers that were installed after December 2008, the drain covers are subject to the recall:
A kiddie or wading pool is generally found at public facilities. It is a permanent built in fixture, with its own separate circulation system and a maximum depth of 18-24 inches
An inground spa is a permanent, non factory built structure, typically with a concrete or vinyl bottom, with several return jets.

To summarize, if your drain covers were installed after December 2008, and:

if you have an in ground spa, or
if you have a wading (kiddie) pool, or
your pool has only one drain, and that drain is not a long channel drain, you may need to participate in this recall and should take further action to ensure your pool or in-ground spa is in compliance.

Pool X Perts is ready to assist you with changing out your recalled covers. We are already authorized for Hayward Products and are waiting on final approval from Aquastar.

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Will Protect Children in Commercial Swimming Pools and Spas

From 1999 to 2007 at least nine people died in swimming pool drains and 63 were injured – this is according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In 2002, Virginia Graeme Baker, age 7, drowned in a spa when she became entrapped by the powerful suction of a drain. Virginia was the granddaughter of former U.S. Secretary of State, James Baker.

The idea behind these new regulations is to save the lives of children.

With swimming pool and spa accidents rising, there are new regulations designed to keep swimmers—especially children—safe. The most notable is a federal act, Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB), which requires that all public swimming pools and spas—such as municipal pools, hotels, country clubs and day camps—install a compliant [ANSI/ASME 112.19.8-2007] drain cover.

Many people are unaware of the injuries and fatalities caused by suction entrapment. Jim Gibson, the owner of Pool X Perts, a South Florida Pool Company, feels a responsibility towards assisting his clients comply with new regulations. He explains, “Our company is dedicated to pool safety. We already have the services and products available to meet the latest safety standards.”

Get expert help to navigate local and federal safety regulations.

The federal safety act (VGB) takes effect December 19, 2008 and it includes potentially hefty fines or even imprisonment for noncompliance. The challenge for commercial pool owners and operators is that in addition to compliance with VGB, they often face an array of new regulations that vary from state to state, and from town to town.

Swimming pool and Spa operators, especially with single suction outlet systems, are looking for an easy, cost-effective and readily available product to achieve compliance. Jim explains, “Most pool owners don’t realize how easy it is to comply with the new safety act. The products we’re distributing easily and safely retrofit to most existing frames and meet or exceed safety standards.”

As per the Florida Department of Health all grate/cover replacement must be done either by a Commercial Pool/Spa Contractor or a Swimming Pool/Spa Servicing Contractor, including submission of a contractor-signed statement to the CHD or regional engineer that they have replaced the existing grate/cover with an ASME/ANSI certified grate/cover that meets Florida’s pool rule, and they have installed it as specified by the manufacturer.

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