Federal Pool and Spa Safety Act Seeks to End Entrapment Deaths. Concern over a rise in serious injuries and drowning deaths by being entrapped by the suction of swimming pool drains and spas has resulted in the enactment of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. Tragically, the Act is named after the seven year-old granddaughter of former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III, who died when she became entrapped by a spa drain’s mighty suction.

The Act, designed to prevent life-threatening injuries and drownings by drain entrapment, specifies that every commercial pool and spa in the U.S. must be fitted with new compliant anti-entrapment safety drain cover by December, 19, 2008 or the pool and spa will be closed until the correction is made. Also, by this day, all safety drain covers and entrapment avoidance systems marketed must meet the new ASME/ANSI A 112.19.8 standards.

The Act also states that any commercial, city, or club pool or spa with only a single main drain must install an additional entrapment prevention device system as outlined by the law. http://www.cpsc.gov/pssa.pdf

Those found not in compliance with the Act could possibly be subject to fines of up to $1.8 million, and criminal penalties could ensue to those parties found willfully negligent.

Manufactures of the compliant pool drain covers are feeling the pressure of meeting the anticipated demand for their products. Industry professionals believe the demand for the anti-entrapment drain covers will be greater than the manufacturers’ ability to produce by the December 19, 2008 deadline. Manufacturers just recently received final approval for new drain covers meeting the new standards.

Newly designed and affordable compliant anti-entrapment drain covers are easily retrofitted to existing drains and are instrumental in the effort to prevent future devastating injuries and drowning deaths.

If you would like to read more regarding frequently asked questions about the law please visit: http://www.theapsp.org