APSP Quarterly - Winter 2008 - (Page 22)

While it will take time for the APSP Technical Committee to get more details from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other sources, we know from research that it is extremely unlikely these entrapments would have happened if the suction outlet covers had been properly installed. Early reports suggest the original manufacturer’s screws were not installed, allowing the covers to be removed. This exposed the two hazards for which there is no backup. 2006 American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins (ANSI/APSP-7), requires the pool to be closed to bathers until all suction outlet piping is protected by proper covers. The principal safety message is clear: Do not use the pool or spa if the cover for the suction outlet is missing, broken or not securely fastened. Suction, like electricity, is important for proper filtration; without it pumps can’t cir- tools to identify and fi x suction entrapment hazards in existing pools and spas, where there is a greater risk of incidence. ANSI/APSP-7 is based on a scientific foundation, starting with a thorough understanding of all suction entrapment hazards, not just the hazard of body suction entrapment. Following a page-by-page analysis of reported entrapment cases from the CPSC going back to the early 1980s, members of the APSP Technical Committee identified five unique hazards: hair ANSI/APSP-7 also provides detailed tools to identify and fix suction entrapment hazards in existing pools and spas, where there is a greater risk of incidence. Saying there is no backup for missing and broken covers is a strong statement, but it is accurate and based on the fact that limb entrapment can happen in open pipe, even without active suction. Evisceration may happen at the speed of flowing water, long before atmospheric vacuum breakers and pump shut-off devices can react. Because of this, ANSI/APSP-7 culate water. Like electricity, swimmers must be protected from it. This is the purpose of ANSI/APSP-7. For the fi rst time an approved American National Standard Institute standard is focused exclusively on a systems approach to prevent suction entrapment. Unlike model building codes, which address only new construction, ANSI/APSP-7 also provides detailed Pump/System: entanglement, limb entrapment, body entrapment, mechanical entrapment and evisceration These entrapment injuries were caused by flowing water, suction and mechanical binding in open pipes and fittings. Suction is the force you feel as atmospheric pressure attempts to replace the water being removed by the pump. (Technically, pumps don’t DATE: Must End on FINISH 1 Start Here Are there Outlets? Fully Submerged Suction Outlet(s) located in the Floor, on the Wall or any Skimmer Equalizer Fittings/Lines. 11 NO YES What is the Maximum System GPM of the Single Pump System? ( ) GPM See: Instructions on back page. 2 ONE How Many Pumps Does the Outlet(s) Serve 12 MULTIPLE What is the Maximum Combined GPM in the Multi-Pump System? ( )+( )+( )=( ) GPM NOTE: Include ALL Pumps. See: Instructions on back page. 13 VACUUM FITTING 19 Is there a dedicated Vacuum Cleaner Fitting? 23 NO YES Is there a Fitting Lid (cover) Tested & Listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in accordance with IAPMO - SPS 4? 24 YES NO Are Outlets 24" X 24" or Larger? 3 YES Install or Replace with Fitting Lid Tested to: IAPMO - SPS 4 Outside the scope of this Standard. Consult a Licensed Professional Engineer 14 25 FINISH 26 NO Are all Outlets Listed to ASME/ANSI A112.19.8? 4 NO WARNING! Suction Entrapment Hazard Choose at Least One Option WARNING! Suction Entrapment Hazard 27 YES Does each Outlet have a Cover with a Flow Rating Equal to, or Greater than the Maximum System GPM? NOTICE: See Section 4.6 YES NO 15 Install additional ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 Outlet with the center to center distance between the suction pipes at least 36-inches, or on a separate plane. See Sections 4.5 & 4.6. 28 5 Is each Cover Undamaged and without Surface Crazing, Environmental / UV Degradation? YES 6 Replace with Cover(s) NO Listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in accordance with Complete GO TO VACUUM FITTING 20 ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. (See Section 4.5) YES 7 Convert Suction Outlet to Return Inlet by Changing the piping, provided the system piping and skimmer(s) shall be capable of handling the full system flow. 29 YES Any Flat & Flush Mount Covers Smaller than 12" X 12"? NO NOTICE: Do not use Flat Flush-Mount Cover/Grates Each Replacement Cover must have a Flow Rating Equal to or Greater than the Maximum System GPM (See Section 4.6), or The Maximum System GPM may be Permanently Reduced below the Cover Flow Rating by replacing pump or permanently restricting the pump discharge flow, provided the maximum turnover time is not exceeded. 16 Is the center to center distance between the suction pipes at Least 36-inches, or are the Outlets on Separate Planes? NO Convert to a Gravity Flow System in accordance with Section 5.8 30 Cover Properly Secured per the Manufacturer? YES NO 21 8 Engineered Vent Systems in accordance with Section 7.2 31 NO Secure Covers Mounting Rings & Hardware. May Require Replacement To Properly Secure Cover(s). Is the Single Outlet: A) An Equalizer Line piped through the second port of a skimmer? 9 YES YES Install & Test. Manufactured Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS) Tested & Listed for the purpose by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in accordance with Section 7.1. Permanently Disable the Single Outlet, provided the system piping and skimmer(s) shall be capable of handling the full system flow and minimum turnover rates are achieved. Complete GO TO VACUUM FITTING 34 32 Is the Cover(s) mounted on a manufactured Sump or Fitting. If not is the clearance between the Cover(s) and the Pipe according to the Cover manufacturer’s instructions, or at least 1.5 X the ID of the pipe? NO Are there Two or More Outlets per Pump(s)? 17 NO B) a Venturi Debris Removal System, C) a Channel Outlet at Least 3" Wide by 31" Long? 22 33 10 Replace with appropriate Cover and/or create compliant sump. 18 YES © 2006 The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. All rights reserved. 2 2 | AQ A P S P Q UA R T E R LY

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of APSP Quarterly - Winter 2008

APSP Quarterly - Winter 2008 Contents President's Message Guest Editorial APSP Annual Report Hot Tub Council Initiative to Speak with One Voice Suction Safety Challenging the Process Industry Update Keeping Pace: Staying on the Cutting Edge With Lifelong Learning APSP News & Resources Advertisers' Index

APSP Quarterly - Winter 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.