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 The federal mandates in the Act pertain to two issues:

1. The manufacture, import, and sale of suction outlet fittings (drain fittings and covers) and
2. Entrapment avoidance systems in public pools and spas.

The Act requires the following --

1. On or after 12/20/08, all suction outlet fittings and covers made, imported, or sold in the U.S. must be certified to comply with ASME/ANSI A 112.19.8, 2007 version.
2. As of 12/20/08, all public pools and spas, both new and existing, be equipped with certified covers on every suction outlet.
3. As of 12/20/08, every public pool and spa, new and existing, that has a single outlet, other than an unblockable outlet, must employ one or more of the following additional options:

Safety vacuum release system (SVRS) that complies with ANSI/ASME A112.19.17 or ASTM F2387; or

• Suction limiting vent system; or

• Gravity drainage system; or

• Automatic pump shut-off; or

• Drain disablement; or

• Equivalent system that may be approved by the CPSC.

Yes. Every drain in every public pool and spa must have a compliant cover by the effective date. After 12/20/08 the pool or spa cannot be open for use if the covers and system are not compliant.

What if I cannot find the manufacturer or a compliant replacement cover that fits?

The drain will require permanent disablement, or replacement with a cover and mounting frame that is compliant.

No. The Act addresses only submerged suction outlets.

No. An SVRS is one of several options available to release a high vacuum occurrence in a pool or spa with a single outlet. These options are not required on pools or spas with multiple certified drains or with a single unblockable drain and sump.

The Act defines an unblockable drain as a drain sump of “any size or shape that a human body cannot sufficiently block to create a suction entrapment issue.” The ANSI/APSP-7 2006 standard defines unblockable as “of any size and shape such that a representation of the torso of the 99 percentile adult male cannot sufficiently block it to the extent that it creates a body suction entrapment hazard.” In other words, the outlet must be such that a torso 18” x 23” with corners having a 4-inch radius would not be able to sufficiently block the outlet. The standard also allows for channel drains with a minimum open area 3” wide X 31” long.

The definition in the Act is as follows: “The term ‘safety vacuum release system’ means a vacuum release system capable of providing vacuum release at a suction outlet caused by a high vacuum occurrence due to suction outlet flow blockage.” SVRS devices must be certified to ASME/ANSI A112.19.17 or ASTM 2387-04

Gravity Drainage is a circulation system where the water flowing from the pool/spa does not connect directly to the pump. The water drains into a tank or basin open to atmosphere from which the pump pulls its water for circulation back to the pool.

Suction-Limiting Vent System -- a pipe vented to the atmosphere that connects to the suction pipe between the pool and the pump. When a high vacuum event occurs, air from the vent pipe replaces the water in the suction pipe thereby breaking the suction. The vent opening is protected by a tamper resistant cover.

Automatic Pump shut-off system -- a device or system that shuts off the pump/motor when it senses a high vacuum occurrence that includes but is not limited to some of the safety vacuum release devices (SVRS) and load sensing motors.

1. Fill with concrete, Glue in plug

2. Reverse flow, permanently disconnect from pool pump suction (no valve to switch back)

3. Permanently disconnect suction outlet pipe from all circulation systems

According to the Act, how far apart must multiple or dual drains be?

The Act does not specify. The ANSI/APSP-7 2006 standard requires that multiple drains or suction outlets be at least 3 feet apart, measured from center of sump to center of sump, or that suction outlets be located on different planes.

Yes. Hot Tubs are considered “spas” for purposes of this act.

Yes. As of 12/20/08, it will be against federal law to make, import, or sell a suction outlet fitting and cover that does not comply with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 -2007. Installation of a non-compliant cover in a customer’s pool or spa would be a violation of that provision. The other federal mandates discussed above apply only to public facilities.

The term is defined broadly and includes --

Each of the above provisions is entirely consistent with ANSI/APSP-7. Pools and spas built or retrofitted to comply with this standard will also comply with the Act.

The standard requires ASME approved covers. Non-compliant covers and systems should be addressed. If a cover is broken, damaged, not secure or missing, the standard requires that the pool or spa be immediately closed to bathers.

That has yet to be determined by the CPSC.

How else does this Act affect residential pools and spas?

That is also yet to be determined. The CPSC is charged with creating “minimum state law requirements,” pertaining to entrapment protection and barriers to prevent drowning. Any state that enacts laws that meet or exceed those requirements will be eligible for grant money from the CPSC. The Act provides guidelines and instructions to the CPSC in creating those “minimum state law requirements.” With regard to entrapment, these guidelines and instructions are entirely consistent with ANSI/APSP-7. With regard to barriers, these guidelines and instructions are consistent with the “Layers or Protection” approach endorsed by the APSP and found in their literature.

All residential pools and spas and hot tubs should be built and maintained in accordance with applicable state and local law and ANSI/APSP-7.

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