The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008 - (Page 11)

POOL & SPA SAFETY | by Steven B. Getzoff charged with applying and enforcing the federal mandates, confirmed that the act refers to the 2007 edition of this standard. This new edition includes enhanced resistance to UV rays, enhanced fastening requirements, resistance to hair entanglement and a new body block test that requires each drain to prevent body entrapment even when installed as a single, blockable drain. Second, every drain on every public pool or spa must be protected by a cover that complies with this new ASME standard. The CPSC confirmed in its interpretation and in a letter to the Florida Department of Health that this provision applies to every drain, regardless of size or backup system. The CPSC has also advised that pools that are operational as of December 20, 2008, must be in compliance at that time. Seasonal facilities must be in compliance as of the date they open in 2009. This provision presents the greatest challenge to the industry, given that compliant covers are only now being tested and certified and the likely reluctance of many local facilities to incur the expense and replace every single outlet cover. Fortunately, there are several model covers that have now been approved by recognized laboratories. A link to a listing of these models can be found on the APSP website at www.theapsp.org. Finally, as of this date, every public pool that has a single drain, other than an unblockable drain, must have one or more of the forms of additional protection specified in the act. The options include: SVRS (Safety Vacuum Release System); Vent System; Gravity Drainage System; automatic pump shut off; drain disablement. Each of these federal provisions is consistent with ANSI/APSP-7. In its interpretations, the CPSC has confirmed that pools with properly spaced multiple drains connected to the same pump are exempt from this requirement. Multiple drains each connected to a separate pump, or outlets that are within three feet measuring from center point to center point, however, are considered to be single main drains and require one of the enumerated options. While the act also allows for such other devices or methods that the CPSC may find equally effective, no such alternatives have been identified to date. Each of these three provisions is consistent with The ANSI/APSP-7 American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs and Catch Basins. This standard is written to prevent all known forms of entrapment injury and does so by: Allowing pools to be built without drains or for drain disablement or reversal. Fluid Dynamics shows that water flow is strongly dominated by inlet jets, not outlets 2. Requiring ASME compliant covers on all outlets 3. Requiring no outlets, multiple outlets or unblockable outlets on all new construction 4. Reducing flow rate 5. Requiring one or more of the enumerated options for existing single drain pools So what does all this mean for a pool builder or service professional? First, as of December 20, it will be against federal law to sell to a homeowner (or for that matter, install) a cover that is not listed as complying with the 2007 ASME 19.8 standard. Second, every professional that services or builds public facilities should contact their clients immediately and alert them to the new public pool requirements and review the options. One simple solution in most states is to disable or reverse the flow of any drains, thus eliminating the entrapment hazard and the need for any further protection. In all other installations, new covers will be required. Let them know that you are a messenger of this news and that you are merely trying to keep them from being cited for violation of federal law. The CPSC has made it clear that while it will work with facilities that make a sincere effort to comply, it will have no tolerance for those that don’t. 1. The Pool and Spa Safety Act represents an important step forward in raising awareness and improving pool and spa safety. It also presents an important opportunity for builders, dealers and service professionals to reach out to private and commercial customers and help them. THE EDGE 11 http://www.theapsp.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008

The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008 Contents The President’s Message New Pool/Spa Federal Safety Act Worried About the 2009 Market? Treating Hot Water? Project Focus The 411 on UV Disinfection for Pools and Spas The Advantages of Seeding Aggregate Surfaces Pool and Spa Industry Wins Gold Choosing a Retirement Plan To Get Best Coverage at Lowest Cost - Shop Now Index of Advertisers

The Edge - Quarter 4, 2008

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