Pool And Spa Safety Law Takes Effect This Week

New law designed to better protect swimmers

Swimming Pools • CPSC Warns of In-Home Drowning Dangers • New Study Highlights Dangers in the Water • Pool And Spa Safety Law Takes Effect This Week • Drowning Season Opens; Pools a Major Menace to Children • Backyard Pools Pose Danger to Kids • Legal liability • Feds target pools

December 16, 2008
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which applies to public pool and spa owners and operators nationwide, becomes effective on December 19, 2008.

This law requires installation of anti-entrapment drain covers and other systems.

The Pool and Spa Safety Act, enacted by Congress and signed by President Bush on December 19, 2007, is designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas.

Under the law, all public pools and spas must have ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 compliant drain covers installed and a second anti-entrapment system installed, when there is only a single main drain. Congress gave all affected pool and spa operators one year to comply with this law.

Public pools and spas that operate year-round are expected to be in compliance by December 19, 2008. Seasonal public pools and spas that are currently closed must be in compliance with the law on the day that they reopen in 2009.

"Our mission at the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) is to keep American families safe," said Nancy Nord, CPSC Acting Chairman. "CPSC will enforce the requirements of this pool and spa safety law with a focus on where the greatest risk of drain entrapment to children exists, such as wading pools, pools designed specifically for toddlers and young children, and in-ground spas, particularly where these types of pools and spas have flat drain grates and single main drain systems."

Pool and spa operators are encouraged to continue working as diligently as possible to come into compliance, as the agency and state Attorneys General are empowered to close down any pool or spa that fails to meet the Act's requirements, Nord said.

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