NATIONAL LAW PASSED THAT AFFECTS ALL PUBLIC POOLS AND SPAS
CHECK YOUR DRAINS COVERS TODAY!
December 2014 marked five years since the Pool and Spa Safety Act (https://www.poolsafely.gov/pool-spa-safety-act/read/) required all commercial pools and spas to have certified covers. Part of the law also required the manufacturer to provide a life span for each cover and a fair majority were between 5-7 years. Here are manufacturers life expectancies. Remember to replace with only ANSI/ASME A112.19.8 (2007) standard or any successor standard on every suction outlet (On July 27, 2011, the Commission unanimously approved ANSI/APSP 16-2011 as the successor suction outlet cover standard which pool operators need to follow to comply with the P&SS Act) and use new accompanying screws.
AquaStar Pool Products, Inc. (877) 768-2717, info@aquastarpoolproducts.com
Manufacturer says all VGB 2008 Compliant drains have a five (5) year life expectancy.
Lawson Aquatics – 800-832-8002, aquatopia@neptunebenson.com
Manufacturer says drains have a 10 year warranty and no expiration date and needs to be inspected after 10 years.
Hayward – Hayward Technical Services, 908-355-7995, techsupport@haywardpools.com
Manufacturer says drains have a seven (7) year life expectancy.
DrainSafe 360, 800-513-4372, info@drainsafe.com
Manufacturer says replace every three (3) years.
World Wide Star 100, (970) 510-0836, admin@worldwidesportsllc.com
Manufacturer says replace every three (3) years.
To read this law in its entirety, click here:
For more FAQ’s, click here.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOUR POOL AND SPA
(NO ONE is grandfathered on these regulations)
- By December 20, 2008, your pool, whether it has single or multiple drains, needs new anti-entrapment drain covers that must comply with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard, which are availlable here
- Your public pool or spa that has a single drain must have at least one additional level of entrapment protection which could be:
- Safety Vacuum Release – a vacuum release system capable of providing vacuum release at a suction outlet caused by a high vacuum occurrence due to a suction outlet flow blockage. (i.e., Stingl Switch, Vac-Alert, Etc.)
- Suction-Limiting Vent System* – a suction limiting vent system that utilizes a collector tank.
- Gravity Drainage* – a gravity drainage system that utilizes a collector tank.
- Automatic Pump Shut Off System – An automatic pump shut off system.
- Drain Disablement- A device or system that disables the drain.
*This would have been installed during pool construction. It cannot be added to an already existing pool, only new construction.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO TO BECOME COMPLIANT
- On all drains, install a NEW ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard anti-entrapment cover
- On all pools or spas that have single drains that are not unblockable OR two main drains measuring less than 36” apart (three-feet from center to center ) per pump must have at least one additional level of entrapment protection (See above)
- RESIDENTIAL POOLS – As of December 20, 2008 – it will be AGAINST federal law to make or sell a drain cover in the United States that does not comply with ASME/ANSI 19.8. Thus, all new residential construction as of December 20, 2008, must comply with the federal law, as well as, liner replacements or resurfacings on residential pools after this date.
ADA REGULATIONS FOR POOL LIFTS
As of January 31, 2013 (extension date), the following sites were required to comply with the ADA regulations
- Title II (Public Industry) – All public entities at the local and state levels, e.g., Parks and Recreation Pools, Universities and Colleges, Town Pools, etc.
- Title III (Private Industry) – Any place of public accommodation (commercial facilities), e.g., Hotels, Motels, Health Clubs, Schools, and Community Centers.
- Apartments* and condominiums* are not affected, unless they:
* Sell memberships to those not living at the facility
* The condominium rents out its units, like those of a motel
* The pool is rented for parties, swim lessons or other activities to those not living in the community
ADA advocates have begun class action lawsuits against non-compliant facilities. Ensure your facility is not one of those targeted.
(NO ONE is grandfathered on these regulations)
See ADA requirements here: https://www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm
ADA requirements for Existing pools: https://www.ada.gov/qa_existingpools_titleIII.htm
Check out a Sample Implementation Plan Here – This plan is for information only. Utilizing this plan and creating one does not mean you will not be in compliance with ADA regulations. POM takes no responsibility for what you may decide to do with this information.
POOL AND SPA SAFETY ACT COMPLIANCE VIDEOS
| Consumer Product Safety Commission ‘Guidance to Compliance’ video series links: |
| Introduction (5:52) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeelmTFpgqc&list=PLNod1nEchwloV_2iurWoiuwx3 |
| Module 1: Five Forms of Entrapment (4:19) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BGkeoT1600 |
| Module 2: Suction Outlets (9:14) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cPehGvj304 |
| Module 3: Understanding Flow Rate and TDH (10:47) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFbTy2u6Qf4 |
| Module 4: Compliance I – Assessing the System (4:40) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHyMzAJnrdY |
| Module 5: Selecting Proper Suction Fittings (6:27) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC0NUt-VvUs |
| Module 6: Backing Up Single Outlets (6:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrtfFUZBvD8 |
| Module 7: Vacuum Fittings, Sidewall Ports, and Equalizers (3:19) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFTFTkW9cnk |
| See also https://www.poolsafely.gov/educational-materials-catalog/?sresult=524 |
TERMS
UNBLOCKABLE DRAIN – The Act defines unblockable drain as a drain of “any size or shape that a human body cannot sufficiently block to create a suction entrapment issues”. The ANSI/APSP-7 2006 standard requires that to be considered unblockable, a drain must be at least 31” in one dimension and at least 3” in the other dimension or must be larger than 18” in one dimension and larger than 23” in the other dimension with 4 in. radius corners.
SAFETY VACUUM RELEASE SYSTEM – The term ‘safety vacuum release system’ means a vacuum release system capable of providing a vacuum release at a suction outlet caused by a high vacuum occurrence due to a suction outlet flow blockage.
GRAVITY DRAINAGE SYSTEM – A gravity drainage system utilizes a collector tank meaning that the water flowing from the pool/spa to the circulation system does not connect directly to the pump. The water collects in a collection tank or basin open to the atmosphere and the pump pulls the water from it for circulation back into the pool.
SUCTION LIMITING VENT SYTSEM – A suction-limiting vent system has a “tamper resistant atmospheric opening”, which is a pipe vented to the atmosphere that connects to a suction pipe between the pool and the pump. When an entrapment of vacuum occurs, air from the vent pipes replaces the water in the suction pipe by breaking the vacuum.
AUTOMATIC PUMP SHUT-OFF – An automatic pump shut-off system is a device that shuts off the pump/motor in a vacuum or entrapment occurrence.
DRAIN DISABLEMENT – Drain disablement cannot been done on new construction, as single blockable drains are not permitted by code. To disable the main drain, it needs to be plugged and filled with concrete. It then needs to be permanently disconnected from pool pump suction and circulation systems and to reverse the flow of the water.
