Love Pool Care can safely and properly retrofit any commercial pool or spa to conform to the recently enacted Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. We provide FREE inspections, and will assist HOA's or property management companies in determining the best and most feasible corrective measure.

Question: What is the Virginia Graeme Baker Act, and how does it affect our commerical, public, or semi-public pool?

Answer: In December, 2007, President Bush signed into law the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. This new law requires safety improvements at public pools and spas to prevent drowning and entrapment.

Question: When did this law take affect?

Answer: December 19, 2008.

Question: What are the basic requirements of this law?

Answer: The Act requires three basic things for all public pools and spas.

1. The first requirement is that the main drain grate/cover be replaced with one that meets the requirements of the new ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 performance standard, "Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs".

2. The second requirement is that the direct pump suction drainage system entrapment hazard be mitigated by one of six methods, i.e., changes to the recirculation system.

• Safety Vacuum Release System conforming to ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17 or ASTM standard F2387.
• Suction-Limiting Vent System with a tamper-resistant atmospheric opening.
• Automatic Pump Shut-Off System.
• Drain Disablement device or system, or
• Other Systems that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approves.

3. Grates/covers manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States shall conform to the new federal standard.

Question: Who is the responsible organization for enforcement of this federal law?

Answer: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the authorized enforcement agency.

Question: What is ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007?

ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 is the most current standard adopted by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and American National Standards Institute that establishes materials, testing and marking requirements for suction outlet fittings in swimming pools, wading pools, spas, and hot tubs, and other aquatic facilities. Suction outlet fittings include all components including the sump, body, cover, grate, and hardware. Skimmers and vacuum connection covers are excluded from the standard.

Question: Are public pools built before December 19, 2008 required to comply with this Federal law?

Yes. Section 1404(c)(1)(i) – Each public pool and spa in the United States shall be equipped with anti-entrapment devices or systems that comply with the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard or any successor standar. There is no grandfather clause for public pools and spas constructed before December 19, 2008.

Question: How can an ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 compliant cover be identified?

All covers that are ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 compliant must have the following markings: a) the designation ASME A112.19.8 plus the year of the standard, or the ASME A119.19.8 logo followed by the year of the standard; b) the statement For Single or Multiple Drain Use, For Single Drain Use, or For Multiple Drain Use Only c) the less of the maximum flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm) as tested for in the standard; d) the type of the fitting under which it is listed; e) fitting components shall be marked Life: X Years where the manufacturer indicates the appropriate installed life in years. Individual components may be marked with unique life spans; f) installation position - Wall Only, or Floor Only, or Wall and Floor Only if allowed in both positions; g) manufacturer name or registered trademark; and h) model designation.

Question: Will the suction outlet covers that are not ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 have to be replaced in all public pools and spas by December 19, 2008?

Yes. If a public pool or spa is closed and will not reopen until the 2009 swimming season, replacement of the non-ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 suction outlets can be delayed. However, the pool or spa cannot be reopened until the non-compliant covers are replaced.

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