Public & Semi-public Swimming Pool Information

• What is the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act?
• What does the Act require for pools and spas?
• How will the City of Garland enforce this Act?
• Do my current drain covers meet this Act?
• Should I go ahead and replace my current drain covers with ones that meet the new standard?
• Where can I buy these approved drain covers and how do I know if a cover is approved?

What is the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act?
The 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. Effective December 19, 2008, the Act is being administered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

What does the Act require for pools and spas?
The Act requires each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States to conform to the American National Standard ASME A112.19.8-2007 Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Each swimming pool and spa, both new and existing, shall be equipped with drain covers conforming to the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Standard.

How will the City of Garland enforce this Act?
Because the Act is a Federal Standard and not a State or Local law, the City of Garland has limited enforcement capability for the Act. Therefore, the City of Garland Health Department will not keep your pool closed this 2009 pool season, nor issue any citations, for failure to have the required drain cover (as listed above). However, this law will likely soon be incorporated into State of Texas law as well as the Garland Code of Ordinances. So, even though it will not be enforced locally during the 2009 pool season, we do expect it to be a requirement prior to the 2010 pool season.

Do my current drain covers meet this Act?
If you have the same drain covers that you had on your pool or spa from the 2008 pool season, the answer most likely is no. The ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 standard is a new standard that most previously sold drain covers do not meet. As of the date of this letter, however, any drain cover that you purchase from pool suppliers will have to meet this new standard. You can always contact the Garland Health Department for help in determining if your drain covers meet the new drain cover standard.

Should I go ahead and replace my current drain covers with ones that meet the new standard?
Though the City of Garland Health Department is not yet enforcing this law it is certainly in your best interest to replace non-compliant drain covers. As stated previously, the Act will likely become a local ordinance requiring replacement of all non-compliant drain covers. Replacing them now puts your pool and/or spa in compliance with the federal standard for pool safety, which is added protection for your pool and/or spa from potential entrapment incidences.

Where can I buy these approved drain covers and how do I know if a cover is approved?
Local pool suppliers should be able to provide approved drain covers. It is very important that you verify that the cover complies with the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Standard. This Standard requires that the following items be stamped on the cover:

• Designation ASME A112.19.8 or the logo followed by the year of the standard
• Statement "For Single or Multiple Drain Use", “For Single Drain Use” or “For Multiple Drain Use”
• The maximum flow rate in gallons per minute
• Type of Fitting (Venturi, Field Fabricated, Swim Jet or Submerged)
• Appropriate installed life in years indicated by manufacturer (indicates time the suction outlet is compliant from the date of installation not date of manufacture)
• Installation Position – “Wall Only”, “Floor Only”, or “Wall or Floor” if allowed in both positions
• Manufacturer's name or registered trademark
• Model designation