After an investigation of safety drain test procedures and a North American-wide recall earlier this year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently voted to revoke its 2010 interpretation of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA), which permitted aquatic facilities in the U.S. to comply with the law by installing an unblockable drain cover over small, blockable drain suction outlets.
According to a statement released by the CPSC, the decision to revoke its earlier interpretation came after the group was informed by members of Congress, and families who have lost children in drain entrapment incidents, that the law was intended to require a back-up system or device.
As a result, the CPSC, which continues to implement the VGBA, is now directing facility operators to install an automatic pump shut-off device or safety vacuum release system (SVRS) if a pool/spa uses a single, blockable main drain (smaller than 457 x 584 mm [18 x 23 in.]).
“It is very important for the pool and spa industry to be aware the CPSC is not saying unblockable-sized drain covers should be removed from facilities that installed them on small single main drains,” the CPSC’s communications director, Scott Wolfson said. “Rather, the CPSC is directing pool and spa operators to add a back-up system or device. The commissioners and the staff, in fact, recognize that unblockable-sized drain covers are an advance in pool safety. Yet, layers of protection are an important principal that the VGBA promotes.”
The CPSC has set a May 28, 2012 compliance date to provide time for aquatic facilities that require modifications to bring their pools/spas into compliance.
