The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) notes: ?EUR??,,????'?????<

For the most part, the new law relies on state action to implement the new guidelines, however, several provisions are now federally mandated. One year after enactment (December 19, 2008), it will be unlawful for residential drain covers to be made or marketed that do not conform with anti-entrapment drain cover standards. Further, all public pools must be retrofitted with appropriate anti-entrapment drain covers. This last provision was included by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota after the tragic evisceration of a six year old child in a public wading pool in Minnesota this past summer.

Facility and waterpark owners and operators need to inspect and replace all drain covers with anti-entrapment covers that have ASME/ANSI A112.19.8.2 and the maximum flow rate stenciled on the cover, demonstrating the cover complies with the standard and the federal law. Single drains directly linked to suction should have hydraulically-balanced dual drains spaced at least three feet apart. Renovating the hydraulic system to remove all direct suction using gravity systems is recommended.

Pools or spas with single main drains need additional protection, which may include one of these options:

• Safety vacuum release system
• Suction-limiting vent system
• Gravity drainage system
• Automatic pump shut off system
• Drain disablement
• Other systems approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

If your facility’s pools and spas were configured to comply with ANSI/APSP-7 “American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins,” you are in compliance with the mandatory requirements.