483:
ANSI/PSPS/ICC-7-2013 “Manufactured Safety Vacuum
Release Systems (SVRS) for Residential and Commercial Swimming Pool, Spa, Hot Tub, and Wading Pool Suction Systems” or ASTM F2387 “Standard Specification for Manufactured Safety Vacuum Release Systems (SVRS) for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.” These standards establish requirements for manufactured SVRS devices: the dimensions and tolerances, materials, installation instructions, testing requirements, and markings and identification. An SVRS can be installed as an independent system or Can be incorporated as part of the pool pump.
446:
A pool contractor should verify that the pool and/or spa is in compliance with the federally mandated
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act which takes effect December 19, 2008. If the pool is not in compliance, the necessary steps should be taken to comply with the Act, which, in essence,
331:
does not employ an unblockable drain, it must include, at a minimum, one of the following safety systems: a safety vacuum-release system (SVRS) as defined in "definitions;" a suction-limiting vent system with a tamper-resistant atmospheric opening; a gravity drainage system that utilizes a collector
74:
Virginia Graeme Baker was a seven-year-old girl who drowned when she was trapped underwater by the powerful suction of a hot tub drain. She was simply called "Graeme" and was the second youngest of five daughters including a twin. She was a proficient swimmer for her age and had been able to swim on
482:
These are used in conjunction with an approved main drain cover and skimmer. SVRS are a type of device that are tested to respond to a full vacuum, stopping and releasing a vacuum within 4.5 seconds after a drain is fully blocked. These systems must be tested and certified to be in conformance with
322:
A drain is defined as a plumbing fitting installed on the suction side of a pump in a pool, spa or hot tub. Drains are now required to be "unblockable." This term has previously been defined in the "definitions" section. Four main ways of keeping a drain from being blockable are outlined as: large
506:
Any person who knowingly manufactures, sells, distributes or imports a device of noncompliance shall face penalties up to the maximum of $ 1.825 million. Congress is considering raising this amount to $ 10 million per offense. Imprisonment is also allowed for this offense, however sentencing term
437:
All pool/spa drain covers manufactured, distributed or entered into commerce on or after
December 19, 2008, must meet ASME/ANSI A112.19.8– 2007. All public pools and spas must be retrofitted with covers that meet the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8– 2007 standard. All public pools and spas that have a single
196:
suction entrapment incidents in the 1970s. Such incidents included entrapment of hair, body, limb, evisceration or disembowelment and mechanical entrapment of jewelry or bathing suits. From 1999 to 2007 for all age categories records were examined. In 2007, for all age categories, there were 74
502:
As of
December 19, 2008, it became unlawful to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce or import into the United States any pool/spa product that is not within conformity to the new pool/spa safety rule, 15 U.S.C. § 2068(a), or the new drain standards, ASME/ANSI A112.19.8.
87:
due to a faulty drain cover". Following Graeme's death in June 2002, her mother, Nancy Baker, began work to advocate pool and spa safety. She began lobbying
Congress to pass legislation to require anti-entrapment drain covers as well as other pool and spa safety devices. EISA was introduced to
313:
in 2010. An additional 180 children under the age of 15 were injured. The NSC is further calling for increased vigilance by parents and pool/spa owners. They suggest precautions such as four-sided fences for pool/spa areas, alarms on all doors accessing pool/spa areas, heavy duty pool covers,
455:
In addition, all public pools and spas with a single main drain - other than an un-blockable drain - shall also employ one or more of the following devices: separated drain system per ANSI/APSP 7, safety vacuum release system (SVRS) that complies with ANSI/ASME A112.19.17 or ASTM F2387;
82:
In June 2002, Graeme was stuck to a hot tub drain by suction. Efforts by her mother to free her were unsuccessful and when two men eventually were able to free her (postmortem), the drain broke from the force. Although Graeme drowned, her official cause of death was
293:
records. 51 of those were hair entanglement, 79 body or limb entrapments (including three eviscerations), four mechanical (jewelry, etc) and 13 unknown. Of the 147 incidents, 36 resulted in deaths. While the first documented case is unclear, lawyer
386:— The term 'swimming pool' or 'spa' means any outdoor or indoor structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing, including in-ground and above-ground structures, and includes hot tubs, spas, portable spas, and non-portable wading pools.
375:(5) Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) - 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.
359:(1) ASME/ANSI — The term 'ASME/ANSI' as applied to a safety standard means such a standard that is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
945:
507:
guidelines are not outlined. Criminal and civil penalties could also ensue if any person knowingly does not report the practice of another manufacturing, selling, distributing or importing a noncompliance product.
470:
The VGBA requires all drain covers to either be manufactured products or to be field fabricated outlets", in each case meeting the specific technical requirements of the act and having the necessary certification.
709:
362:(2) Barrier — The term 'barrier' includes a natural or constructed topographical feature that prevents unpermitted access by children to a swimming pool, and, with respect to a hot tub, a lockable cover.
75:
her own since the age of three. Additionally, she was a member of her community swim and dive team. Her parents are Nancy and James Baker IV. James Baker is the son of former
Secretary of State
1052:
474:
The PSSA requires a safe and secure connection between the cover and sump. A new, compliant cover that fits securely into a pre-existing sump is accepted under certain conditions.
389:(7) Unblockable Drain — The term 'unblockable drain' means a drain of any size and shape that a human body cannot sufficiently block to create a suction entrapment hazard.
953:
1062:
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The definition of un-blockable drain in the Act is a "drain sump of any size or shape that a human body cannot sufficiently block to create a suction entrapment issue."
930:
722:
372:(4) Main Drain — The term 'main drain' means a submerged suction outlet typically located at the bottom of a pool or spa to conduct water to a recirculating pump.
431:
There is a federal requirement for public pools that preempts the state or local law, as of
December 19, 2008, and further regulations are in addition to it:
353:
346:
332:
tank; an automatic pump shut-off system; a device or system that disables the drain or any other system certified by the consumer product safety commission.
47:
323:
aspect covers; long channels; large outlet grates; and circulation designs that do not include fully submerged suction outlets. In the United States, if a
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Pool & Hot Tub
Alliance, editor. “Facility Safety.” Pool & Spa Operator Handbook, 2nd ed., Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, 2017, pp. 186–187.
366:
302:
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suction-limiting vent system; gravity drainage system; automatic pump shutoff; drain disablement; equivalent system determined by the CPSC.
62:
The goals of the VGBA were to enhance the safety of public and private pools and spas, to reduce child drownings, to reduce the number of
1010:
510:
Pools and spas that are not in operation on
December 19, 2008, do not need to meet the new safety standards until they intend to reopen.
165:
involving
Valerie Lakey. The pool drains in question in both the Taylor and the Lakey cases were manufactured by Sta-Rite, a division of
1004:
854:
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All public pools and spas, both new and existing, shall be equipped with drain covers compliant with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 2007 standard.
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290:
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incidents, injuries and deaths; and to educate the public on the importance of constant supervision of children in and around water.
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604:
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reports of circulation entrapments. Individuals in the 5- to 9-year-old category had the highest frequency of entrapment reports.
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583:"Written Submission of Nancy Baker for the Commissions Public Hearing on July 27, 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona on suction entrapment"
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686:
538:
CPSC Staff Draft Technical Guidance on Section 1406 on Minimum State Requirements for Grant Program* Public Comment Period
46:
in June 2002, when the suction from a spa drain entrapped her under the water. It is incorporated as Title 14 of the U.S.
658:
631:
717:
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CPSC Staff Interpretation of Section 1404 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, June 18, 2008 (pdf)
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Between January 1985 and March 2002, there were 147 confirmed, recorded suction-entrapment incidents, according to
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Mechanical devices which let air into pump to ease the vacuum when entrapment or blockage is sensed by device.
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June 18, 2008 Staff Interpretation of Section 1404: "Federal Swimming Pool and Spa Drain Cover Standard"
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155:
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154:, all of which were damaged in the accident. She was unable to eat or drink, and she required total
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107:, whose accidental injury and eventual death led to federal legislation to improve the safety of
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Presentation on Drowning Prevention, Entrapment Prevention & Pool and Spa Safety Act (pdf)
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Pumps or motors with built-in software that shuts off pump when blockage/entrapment is sensed.
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134:. Taylor lost 6.5 meters (21 feet) of her small intestine in the accident, leaving her with
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173:. Lakey received a $ 25 million settlement with the help of lawyer (and later Senator)
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158:. Taylor died nine months after the accident because of a transplant-related cancer.
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Congress on January 12, 2007, and signed into law on December 19, 2007, by President
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drain other than an unblockable drain must employ one or more additional options.
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Electro-mechanical devices that shut off pump when blockage/entrapment is sensed.
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Reported Pool/Spa-Related Related Circulation/Suction Entrapments, CPCS, 2007
605:"US President Bush Signs Energy Independence and Security Act into Law 2007"
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166:
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were sucked into the aperture. The suction dislodged a large section of her
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anti-entrapment drains and close supervision of children near pools/spas.
305:(NSC), 172 children under the age of 15 drowned in pools or spas between
151:
130:, which was forcefully drawn out through the anus, a phenomenon known as
54:, Pub.L. 110-140). This act became enforceable law on December 19, 2008.
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170:
123:
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ANSI/APSP-7 field checklist for identifying suction entrapment hazards
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42:
law named after Virginia Graeme Baker, who died after sustaining a
147:
122:. Taylor accidentally fell on the open drain of the pool and her
740:"Family Reaches Settlement that Guarantees $ 25 Million Payment"
532:
CPSC Staff's Guide to Complying with the Law, October 2008 (pdf)
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Sec. 1404: Top Priority for Public Pool And Spa Owners/Operators
114:
On June 29, 2007, six-year-old Taylor’s parents took her to the
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Poolsafety.gov A staff interpretation of new drain standards.
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383:
328:
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632:"Newer pools minimize risk of drain accidents, officials say"
607:. Interlinked Climate & Energy Challenges. Archived from
562:"'She Died in My Arms': A Mother's Mission for Safe Pools"
764:"Girl disembowled by pool drain will get $ 30.9 million"
520:
989:- Web page with more information on compliant devices
659:"July 11: Senators introduce pool safety legislation"
352:
The following definitions are directly quoted out of
138:. Taylor was hospitalized and received a rare triple
462:Link to the Act: Title XIV—Pool and Spa Safety Act
199:
1028:information on alternative bottom drain technology
365:(3) Commission — The term 'Commission' means the
345:There are 7 definitions given under title XIV of
422:, D-Minn., signed on as an original co-sponsor.
188:staff began investigating reported incidents of
1053:United States federal child welfare legislation
855:"Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act"
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651:
161:The incident was similar to a 1993 incident in
905:"Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007"
201:74 reports of circulation entrapments in 2007
32:Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
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950:The Need for Federal Pool Safety Legislation
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48:Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
929:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
848:
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687:"Wading Pool Drain Sucks Out Girl's Organ"
693:. Minneapolis. 2007-07-05. Archived from
1063:Consumer protection in the United States
1058:Acts of the 110th United States Congress
946:"5th Annual National Drowning Symposium"
553:
922:
821:"CPSC releases child drowning figures"
748:. Raleigh, North Carolina. 1997-01-14.
1017:Equipment Specifications and Pictures
7:
519:CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (
718:Minnesota Fourth Judicial District
589:Consumer Product Safety Commission
367:Consumer Product Safety Commission
291:Consumer Product Safety Commission
186:Consumer Product Safety Commission
25:
992:Full text version of EISA 2007:
1015:Pool & Spa safe equipment.
1009:Virginia Graeme Baker's Story.
1:
1005:poolsafety.gov Interpretation
987:Swimming-Pool-Information.com
640:. Minneapolis. Archived from
708:Taylor, Scott (2007-11-13).
671:. 2007-07-13. Archived from
630:Lerner, Maura (2007-07-06).
285:Pool/spa accident statistics
952:. house.gov. Archived from
581:Baker, Nancy (2004-07-27).
1079:
298:points to a case in 1974.
1021:Pool/Spa operation FAQs.
819:National Safety Council.
762:Gamel, Kim (1997-01-15).
526:CPSC Enforcement Position
120:St. Louis Park, Minnesota
44:pool suction-drain injury
903:H.R. 6--110th Congress.
400:Debbie Wasserman Schultz
1048:Consumer protection law
710:"Plaintiff's complaint"
303:National Safety Council
96:Death of Abigail Taylor
18:Death of Abigail Taylor
864:. CPSC. Archived from
541:ANSI/APSP-7 Fact Sheet
466:Compliant drain covers
406:Senate: introduced by
132:transanal evisceration
103:was a young girl from
27:2007 United States law
1011:Virginia Graeme Baker
341:Definitions from EISA
116:Minneapolis Golf Club
70:Virginia Graeme Baker
521:http://WWW.CPSC.GOV/
427:Federal requirements
393:Sponsors of the bill
156:parenteral nutrition
136:short bowel syndrome
871:on October 15, 2011
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101:Abigail Rose Taylor
611:on August 13, 2011
442:State requirements
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85:suction entrapment
64:suction entrapment
944:Schultz, Debbie.
798:Pool and Spa News
794:"Troubled Waters"
301:According to the
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958:. Retrieved
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866:the original
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829:. Retrieved
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691:WSB Atlanta
412:Ted Stevens
228:Residential
1037:Categories
549:References
498:Compliance
418:, D-Conn.
416:Chris Dodd
410:, D-Ark.,
408:Mark Pryor
181:Entrapment
994:EISA 2007
960:March 23,
915:March 24,
909:EISA 2007
875:April 17,
831:March 23,
615:March 23,
354:EISA 2007
347:EISA 2007
311:Labor Day
212:Injuries
167:Minnesota
925:cite web
567:ABC News
206:Pool/Spa
152:pancreas
124:buttocks
745:WRAL-TV
514:Sources
398:House:
239:Unknown
171:Pentair
169:-based
38:) is a
827:. CPSC
272:Female
251:Gender
217:Public
209:Deaths
150:, and
869:(PDF)
858:(PDF)
726:(PDF)
713:(PDF)
603:BBC.
587:U.S.
148:liver
58:Goals
1023:FAQs
962:2011
931:link
917:2011
877:2011
833:2011
617:2011
378:(6)
325:pool
309:and
261:Male
36:VGBA
30:The
384:Spa
329:spa
327:or
278:35
267:28
245:10
234:33
223:20
194:spa
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