The question of how the virginia graeme baker act will affect residential pools has finally been answered. Cdph title 24 info bulletin 1601 pdf local environmental health departments. How to determine if your pool drain cover is vgb compliant. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act vgba is a united states law named after graeme baker, who died in an accident in june 2002, when the. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act as amended title xivpool and spa safety sec. Since november 12, 2008, newly made drain covers should have the vgb 2008.
All public pools and spas, both new and existing, shall be equipped with drain covers compliant with asmeansi a112. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act vgb act was signed into federal law on december 19, 2007, with the support of the. Paul street, suite 1, baltimore, maryland 212021608. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act nh des. Public pools and spas that are not in compliance as of december 19, 2008, may not open for use until compliant. Consumer product safety commission cpsc letter may 6, 2008 pdf, 566kb.
The vgb acts purpose is to prevent drain entrapment and child drowning in swimming pools and spas. This title may be cited as the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act. This side by side comparison of the ab 1020, chapter 267, statutes of 2009 and the federal virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act is for informational purposes only. For example, circulation system, hydrojet, or water feature pump. Remember the 2008 vgb pool and spa safety act made it mandatory for all drain covers and single main drain public pools to be equipped and retrofitted with proper entrapment prevention systems. In addition, every suction drain on a pool must have. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa act vgba, or act requires that drain covers must comply with entrapment protection requirements specified by the joint american society of mechanical engineers asme and american national standards institute ansi asmeansi a112. Explain the interim measures in place that will protect the public health and safety.
Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act compliance guide. Vgb swimming pool and spa safety act compliant drain covers. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act requirements for. Federal swimming pool and spa drain cover standard on december 19, 2007, the president signed into law the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act, named after the daughter of nancy baker and the granddaughter of.
On december 17, 2007, the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act vgb act was signed into law. The consumer product safety commission incorporates sections of. According to the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act a public pool or spa means a swimming pool or spa that is. The new law requires that all public pools be retrofitted with approved drain covers manufactured after december 19, 2008. Aqua with questions concerning your current covers. The consumer product safety commission has finalized three aspects of vgb that were still up in the air. As of december 19, 2008, all operating public pools and spas must have drain covers that meet the. In accordance with the vgb act, drain covers must meet the asmeansi as112. Cb20 may 09 certification for the replacement of main drain covers in poolspa guidance in ensuring compliance with the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act vgbpssa. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa act vgba, or act requires that drain. Pools and spas with single main drains that are unblockable are. The federal virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act promotes the safe use of pools, spas and hot tubs by imposing mandatory federal requirements for suction entrapment avoidance. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act vgb act was signed into federal law on december 19, 2007, and enforcement begin on december 19, 2008. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act compliance.
The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act, p. Bush on december 19, 2007 and goes into effect on december 19, 2008. This can occur if hair is pulled into a drain that is not compliant with the act, or if the drain cover is too small. What do the mandatory provisions of the federal pool and spa safety act cover. The act specifies that on or after december 19, 2008, swimming pool and spa drain covers available for purchase in the united states must meet. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act pool safely. For residential pools, cpsc staff still recommends replacing old drain covers with new compliant covers, even though it is not required under the law.
Virginia graeme baker federal pool and spa safety act. After september 10, 2009, by division of hayward industries, inc. Effective 1 year after december 19, 2007, each swimming pool or spa drain. What does the vgb act virginia graeme baker pool and spa. If your pool pumping system draws from a single drain that has. The act is intended to increase the safety of swimming pools and spas by motivating states to pass laws that incorporate layers of protection in order to help prevent drowning, drain entrapment and hair entanglements. All of our swimming pool drain covers meet the guidelines to prevent suction entrapment set forth in the title xiv pool and spa safety act also known as the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act.
Cb20 certification for replacement of main drain covers. After september 10, 2009, by a division of hayward industries, inc. Maryland department of health and mental hygiene dhmh division of community services. The 2007 legislation requires several antientrapment safety measures in swimming pools and spas, including compliant drain covers and, in some cases, secondary antientrapment systems. The manufacture, import, and sale of suction outlet fittings drain fittings and covers and 2. C, rules governing public swimming pools require that pumping systems that have a single main drain, other than an unblockable drain, must have a secondary method of preventing bather entrapment pdf, 40 kb. This title may be cited as the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act sec. Compliance checks and recalls that are associated with products are responsibilities of the cpsc. Vgb compliant drain covers, suction entrapment detection and vacuum release equipment for design, specification and use in swimming pools. The consumer product safety commission cpsc has been charged with administering and enforcing the law. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act public pool. Cpsc is the lead when it comes to implementation and enforcement responsibility.
This law was inspired by the 2002 accidental drowning death of 7year old virginia graeme baker who died as a result of becoming stuck to faulty drain cover. Subject to the availability of appropriations authorized by subsection e, the commission shall establish a grant program to provide assistance to eligible states. Ab 1020 ab 1020 chaptered federal law vgb pool and. The consumer product safety commission has voted unanimously july 2011 to approve ansiapsp16 2011 as the successor standard to the ansiasme a112.
The federal mandates in the act pertain to two issues. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act requirements. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act public law. Virginia graeme baker vgb pool spa safety act compliant. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act june 18, 2008 staff interpretation of section 1404. This can occur if hair is pulled into a drain that is not compliant with the act, or if the drain cover is too small for the pump.
Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act information. Make sure you check with your local board of health for specific requirements regarding compliance. Mandatory federal requirements for entrapment avoidance. Cb20 may 09 certification for the replacement of main drain covers in pool spa guidance in ensuring compliance with the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act vgbpssa. The vgb act contains three federally enforced mandates. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act vgba became effective. Both the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act and the amended n. Identify the components of the virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act vgb act identify the use of multiple safety steps. Consumer product safety commission cpsc is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the vgb act. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa act briefing and ballot. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act, 15 u. Noncompliant pools and spas were required to close as of july 1, 2010 until necessary retrofits were made. Title xivpool and spa safety virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act. As of december 19, 2008, all operating public pools and spas must have drain covers that meet the ansiasme a112.
The federal virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act promotes the safe use of pools, spas and. The vgb pool safety act required all covers to meet the latest asmeansi a112. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act pool and hot tub. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act is named for the granddaughter of former secretary of state james a. Designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas, the law became effective on december 19, 2008. Vgb final interpretative rule on unblockable drain.
Will cpsc be actively looking to penalize pool operators who dont comply. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa act briefing and. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act deals with suction entrapment, which is by definition an accident that traps a swimmer underneath the water. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act of 2007 not virginia graham baker promotes the safe use of pools, spas and hot tubs by imposing mandatory federal requirements for suction entrapment avoidance and by establishing a voluntary grant program for states with laws that meet certain minimum requirements as outlined in the act. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act focuses on the following objectives, while the online format allows students to learn at their own pace. The virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act act promotes the safe use of pools, spas, and hot tubs by imposing the following mandatory federal requirements forsuction entrapment avoidance. Virginia graeme baker compliance vgb act mike the poolman. Virginia graeme baker pool and spa safety act wikipedia. The federal act requires all pool drain covers manufactured or sold in the united states.
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