Anti-Entrapment Covers Part of Pool & Spa Safety Act
Three years after its introduction by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) Florida, countless testimonials, and much activism, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was approved by Congress. It was incorporated into the omnibus energy bill approved by Congress on December 19, 2007 and signed by President George W. Bush.
So what does this mean? What kind of pool and spa safety are we talking about? By establishing a federal safety grant program, the bill hopefully will increase public awareness of preventing suction entrapment and employing "layers of protection" barrier requirements around pools and spas. The act was named after Virginia Graeme Baker, who drowned as a result of becoming entrapped in a hot tub drain.
Suction entrapment can occur when a swimmer gets pulled down by the suction of a pool or hot tub drain. If this happens, the victim can get their hair (and head), limbs, or other body parts trapped and pulled toward the drain. Disembowelment can occur. A terrifying way to go, both for the victims and their survivors.
Several manufacturers have come up with anti-entrapment drain covers that will fit over most horizontally positioned drains. The new law mandates that all public pools and spas must be equipped with the proper anti-entrapment covers by December 2008.
So where does that leave all those private pools and hot tubs? One year after enactment -- in late 2008 -- it will be unlawful for residential drain covers to be made or marketed that do not comply with anti-entrapment standards. There won't be any door-to-door searches conducted to ensure all pool and hot tub owners have retrofitted their drain covers. That leaves it up to the consumers -- the ones who love to entertain in their private swimming pools -- to follow through responsibly. Other people's lives will be depending on it.
Photo courtesy of Triodyne Safety Systems
Comments
There should be one of these fitted to every pool. Such a great simple idea which helps avoid bad accidents.
Does anyone know where the new ones can be found? I hear they have to be installed by December 1, 2008.
where do we purchase these covers? This question was asked in Aug, it should be included in the article so it doesn’t have to be repeated.
Mary Sue and Laurie:
I’ve researched your questions, but haven’t found satisfactory information for consumers regarding anti-entrapment drain covers. I have contacted the Consumer Products Safety Commission to help address some of your questions and other consumer-related issues regarding the safety act and drain covers. Check back…I’ll have your answers soon!
Hi, I found http://www.horizonpoolsupply.com sells this anti entrapment cover.
I looked at your comments and there is is no cover that has been approved by the Commission that has the ASTM/ASNI stamp on them in the market today. There is much more information you should know and ask about before purchasing something that says it meets the law and/or ASTM/ANSI design. The Commission is very uninformed on how to enforce it and they were assuming that the states or governing body would help enforce it. Lacking in people for enforcement may not go into effect until a year or so due to money even but you still have abide by it. The way the act is written it’s not only the grates that may have to be changed or adding a SVRS system but the drain interior may have to be changed. Be cautious on what you purchase and do your homework.
I work for a large pool corporation in Lancaster PA, we did the research, and found the new covers will NOT be completed and ready to distribute until Jan 2009. We are all confused about the rules, as to we have to have them available for the public to purchase, but they will not be out until a month after the deadline. The markings for the “new” anti-entrapment drain covers, must read ASTM/ANSI-2007. That much we know.
The case of this little girl only shows the extent of lack of parental supervision. Why was the girl even in the hot tub by herself anyway? Where was the mother or the homeowner? If girls want to wear their hair long they need a damn bathing cap.
What about a HOT TUB drain cover? We haven’t found one yet. Any ideas?
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.