The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGB) (effective December 20, 2007), 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. The VGB is being administered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act Details [1]
- Change in definition of "unblockable drains [2]November 2011
- Drain cover recall notice [3]May 2011
- Frequently asked questions [4]about the recall from the CPSC
November 2011 Update
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to revoke the Commission's original rule on the interpretation of an "unblockable drain" as described in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. Previously, an unblockable drain was defined to include the drain cover, meaning that a small suction fitting (drain) with an unblockable cover which fit into a smaller, blockable sump would be classified as unblockable. With the decision to revoke that original interpretation, the definition will include the sump, but not the suction fitting or the drain cover. Therefore, a large unblockable drain cover over a smaller blockable drain cannot be used to create an unblockable drain. More details. [5]
August 2011 Update
The Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC) has voted unanimously to approve ANSI/APSP-16 2011 as the successor standard to the ANSI/ASME A112.19.8 drain cover standard mandated by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool &Spa Safety Act. The Commission determined the new standard, ANSI/APSP-16 2011, was in the public interest, and incorporated this standard into its regulations. This means that, effective September 6, 2011, drain covers manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States must conform to the requirements of ANSI/APSP-16 2011. Please note that these changes apply to the manufacture and installation of the drain cover. The new standards relate to:
- Ultaviolet light exposure tests, and self-contained spa fittings
- Details [6]of the new successor standard August 2011 (Federal Register)
- Background information about the CPSC decision to update the standard, including a description of the change in terms that are more easily understandable [7]than the version found in the Federal Register above.
Resources
- Learn more about Virginia Graeme Baker [8] at PoolSafely.gov
- Tools & Resources from PoolSafely.gov [9]
- Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) information on the Pool & Spa Safety Act [10]
- Pool and Spa Safety Resources [11] from the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals