Question #1: What do the mandatory provisions of the Federal Pool and
Spa Safety Act cover?
Answer: 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.
Question #2: What do these provisions require?
Answer: 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.
Question #3: Does the suction outlet cover requirement in the Act apply
to pools and spas with dual or multiple drains?
Answer: 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.
Question #4: Will such covers be available in time to install before the
effective date?
Answer: Some manufacturers have assured the APSP that compliant
covers will be available in sufficient time to purchase and install. However,
the APSP cannot speak to every cover installed, especially covers of
unusual sizes and shape.
Question #5: How will I know which covers comply?
Answer: They will have the following embossed or permanently marked
in a location that is visible when installed:
Or, ”ASME A112.19. 8 2007” and, a flow rating “X GPM”, and “Life: X
Years”, and Manufacturer and Model.
Question #6: What if I cannot find the manufacturer or a compliant
replacement cover that fits?
Answer: The drain will require permanent disablement, or replacement
with a cover and mounting frame that is compliant.
Question #7: Is a skimmer considered a suction outlet?
Answer: No. The Act addresses only submerged suction outlets.
Question #8: Does the Act require SVRS devices on all public pools?
Answer: 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.
Question #9: What is an unblockable drain?
Answer: 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.
Question #10: What is a safety vacuum release system (SVRS)?
Answer: 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 a suction outlet flow blockage.” SVRS devices must be certified to
ASME/ANSI A112.19.17 or ASTM 2387-04
Question #11: What is a gravity drainage system?
Answer: 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.
Question #12: What is a suction limiting vent system?
Answer: 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.
Question #13: What is an automatic pump shut-off?
Answer: 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.
Question #14: What is drain disablement?
Answer:
Existing Construction-
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
New Construction-
1. Not applicable -- the rest of the codes and standards do not
permit single blockable drain configurations.
Question #15: According to the Act, how far apart must multiple or dual
drains be?
Answer: 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.
Question #16: Does the Act apply to hot tubs?
Answer: Yes. Hot Tubs are considered “spas” for purposes of this act.
Question #17: Does the Act apply to residential pools and spas?
Answer: 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.
Question #18: How does the Act define a “Public” pool or spa?
Answer: The term is defined broadly and includes --
1. any facility open to the public whether free or for a fee
2. multiple family residential facilities
3. hotels or other public accommodations
4. facilities operated by the federal government for the military,
their dependents, or for any federal agency or department
Question #19: How do these Federal provisions or mandates compare with
ANSI/APSP-7?
Answer: 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.
Question #20: Does ANSI/APSP-7 require a pool to be closed to swimmers
if the cover is not ASME compliant?
Answer: 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.
Question #21: What is the penalty for not complying with these
provisions?
Answer: That has yet to be determined by the CPSC.
Question #22: How else does this Act affect residential pools and spas?
Answer: 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 our literature.
Question #23: What else should I do about entrapment protection in
residential pools?
Answer: 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.
Question #24: What should I do about barriers in public and residential
pools and spas?
Answer: All pools and spas and hot tubs should be protected in
accordance with applicable state and local law and the ANSI/APSP-8
Model Barrier Code.
SOURCE: APSP (The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals) http://www.apsp.org
