Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety ActAnd Safety Vacuum Release SystemsI have read that president Bush signed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act into effect with affects new products and public pools post-actively. The effective date has been said to be December 19,2008 but most public pools will probably not be in compliance by that date and the date may be pushed back later so manufacturers,suppliers,and the public can come into compliance. This act is a mandatory federal requirement for suction entrapment avoidance and also will make available 2 million in grants to states that meet safety guidelines to train enforcement personnel and to educate about the dangers of entrapment and drowning and the standards of the safety act. Public pools will need approved drains and pumping systems that comply with anti-entrapment standards...the fines can be exceptionally high- up to 1.825 million PER body of water! However,even if you have a private pool,you may want to consider one or more of these devices on your pool for your children or grandchildren - many of these devices have additional benefits besides safety such as preventing the pump from running dry and saving money on repairs. UPDATE: as of 11/20/08 the Los Angeles Department of Health,Swimming Pool Division has said that public pool main drains must be split or unblockable such as a channel drain. If the drain is split into two separate drains both must have approved covers as well as a compliant sump (as shown below). A channel drain is the easier and less expensive solution and it appears the pump shut off devices have no bearing in Los Angeles County at the time of this writing.
Graphic showing height of sump must be 1.5 times pipe diameter
UPDATE December 21,2008: Ventura County is offering a few different ways to compliance: 1)Split main drains at least 3 feet apart with approved covers and sumps 2)A single unblockable main drain with approved cover/sump 3)A single main drain with approved cover/sump AND a device or system to prevent entrapment such as the devices below
This device shuts off pump in case of entrapment
The device above will replace existing timer and also has additional features such as fireman switch for heater (discussed in timers section link below),power back up,auxiliary input for pump control,and will prevent pump from running dry! return from virginia graeme baker safety act to pool pump timers
This SVRS (safety vacuum release system) compliant pump is good in a situation where the pump or motor may be due to be replaced so you can kill two birds with one stone-additionally,this pump saves electrical costs and you may get a nice rebate from your utility company to boot! More on these pumps in the "multi speed pumps section" in the link below: information on multi speed pumps
The SVRS device above is good in a situation where the the plumbing to the main drain can be accessed individually. Below are two main drain covers compliant with new codes
More Photos of Compliant Safety Devices Coming Soon!this owner built site built using SBI |
