Pool and Spa Safety Law Changes of 200709

1
Pool and Spa Safety Law Changes of 2007-09

• Jim Hayes, R.S.
• Pools, Tattoos, and State Institutions Branch
• Division of Environmental Health
• NC DENR

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How can a Suction Hazard Affect Bathers?

• Body/Torso Entrapment
• Hair Entanglement
• Evisceration
• Mechanical Entrapment

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What is a Suction Hazard?

• Whenever a pump is installed at a public swimming
  pool there is a potential for a suction hazard.
• If there is only one outlet to a given pump,
  objects covering that opening will be held there
  until the vacuum is broken.

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Anatomy of a Suction Hazard
Equipment Room
Pump
Pool
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Suction -Main Drains -Skimmers -Vacuum Port
S
V
M
Discharge -Returns (aka
Inlets)
Image courtesy of HowStuffWorks.com
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Where do you find Suction Hazards in Public Pools?

• Pools constructed before 1991
• Spas that use two pumps (one for circulation and
  one for hydrotherapy)
• Any pool with a single (1) main drain that
  balances flow through a skimmer

7
Single-outlet Drains Prohibited in Public Wading
Pools

• Effective July 1994 No single drain, single
  suction outlet public swimming pool less than 18
  inches deep shall be allowed to operate. G.S.
  130A-282

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Dual Main Drains
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Layers of Protection

• Any single prevention method for a suction hazard
  is capable of failing
• The goal is to add multiple layers of protection,
  reducing the potential for a situation where
  someone would be injured from the suction of a
  pump

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Layers of Protection(cont)

• On pools that are recently constructed, we have
  requirements that will reduce the potential for
  suction hazards
• Intact drain covers
• Two main drains connected by a T pipe
• What about pools that werent built with two
  drains?

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NC Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools

• Effective April 1, 2006 all public swimming pools
  with suction outlets consisting of a single drain
  and a skimmer(s) shall be protected from
  potential bather entrapment by keeping the
  skimmer valve open and
• Installing a safety vacuum release system on the
  drain piping and
• single drains smaller than 12 inches in diameter
  shall be protected by an anti-entrapment drain
  cover meeting ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M

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Skimmer
Main Drain
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Step 3- Make sure the skimmer valve is
immobilized in the open position to prevent a
single outlet situation
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N. C. Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools

• Effective April 2006 No public swimming pool
  shall operate with a single outlet to any pump.
• Suction hazards can occur through any outlet to
  the pump including skimmers, equalizer openings,
  or vacuum lines

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Circulation Pump
Hydrotherapy Pump
Drain
Drain
Pump
3Feet
Pump
Drain
Drain
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Current NC Drain Safety Requirements

• Effective April 1, 2006 all public swimming pools
  with a single main drain shall be protected from
  potential bather entrapment by
• a safety vacuum release system installed on the
  drain piping and
• single drains smaller than 12 inches in diameter
  shall be protected by an anti-entrapment drain
  cover meeting ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M

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What is a Safety Vacuum Release Systems (SVRS)?

• Safety Vacuum Release Systems are systems or
  devices capable of providing vacuum release at a
  suction outlet caused by a high vacuum occurrence
  due to a suction outlet blockage. SVRS devices
  must allow for the vacuum release with or without
  the suction outlet cover(s) in place, and shall
  operate in such a way as to not defeat or
  disengage other layers of protection installed to
  protect against suction entrapment.

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SVRS Manufacturers

• Safety Vacuum Release Systems that meet the
  ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17
• Vac-Alert VA-2000
• Stingl Switch SR-500
• Hayward Stratum VRS
• Vacless

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Stingl Switch SR-500
SR-500
G-Series
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Vac-Alert Safety Vacuum Release System
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Hayward Stratum VRS
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What Injuries Will a SVRS Prevent?

• Body Entrapment
• Limb Entrapment
• Not effective against
• Evisceration
• Hair Entanglement
• Mechanical Entrapment
• Drain Cover is the best layer of protection for
  the other types of entrapment not prevented with
  an SVRS

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Main Drain Covers Missing Broken Cracked Damaged
or Loose
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ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M-2007 Drain Covers
Hayward
Aquastar
Aquastar
Hayward
New Water Solutions
Aquastar
Hayward
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High Risk Pools

• Pools with a single drain (especially wading
  pools)
• Pools with no drain and only one skimmer
• Spas with two pumps
• Pool with water feature pumps (water slides,
  fountains, etc)

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Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
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Virginia Graeme Baker Pool Safety Act of 2007

• Requires all public pools and spas to install
  anti-entrapment drain covers meeting ASME/ANSI
  A112.19.8-2007 by December 19, 2008
• Requires public pools and spas with single drain,
  other than unblockable drain, to install at least
  one other layer of protection from pool drain
  entrapment

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Unblockable Drain

• No suction force when blocked by 18x23 torso
• Channel drain 31 long x 3 wide, or
• Rectangle 29 measured diagonally
• Requires engineer certification

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Other Layers of Protection under Baker Act

• Safety vacuum release system
• Suction-limiting vent system
• Gravity drainage system
• Automatic pump shutoff system
• Drain disablement
• Other system approved by U.S. Consumer Product
  Safety Commission

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Approved Drain Cover
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE Contains WG1048E
Description 8 Round Suction Outlet
Cover Ratings Floor 125 GPM_ Wall_72 GPM__
Open Area 8.1 sqin____ Certified to Comply with
Section 1404 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act
(VGB) Pool Spa Safety Act Test Results can be
obtained fromwww.Haywardnet.com and/or
http//www.nsf.org/Certified/Pools/ Manufactured
Between October 2008 and December 2008, by
Hayward Pool Products in Jiangsu Province, China
and Clemmons, NC Divisions of Hayward Industries,
Inc. 620 Division Street, Elizabeth, NJ
07207, Phone [phone] Date of Mfr The Lot
Number shown on the product label contains the
Year Month of manufacture. The first number
represents the year (ex 8 2008) and the second
character the month (AJan, BFeb, HAug, I is
skipped, JSep, etc) Tested to ANSI/ASME
112.19.82007 (addendum 8a2008) per Section 1404
of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGB) Pool Spa
Safety Act. Certified by NSF International, 789
N. Dixboro, Road, Ann Arbor, MI. 48105
1(800)NSFMARK. Date of Installation______________
__________ ISWG1048COC
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ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M-2007 Drain Covers
Hayward
Aquastar
Aquastar
Hayward
New Water Solutions
Aquastar
Hayward
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ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007Instructions

• Suction outlets not to be located on seats or
  backrests
• Multiple outlets must be separated by at least 3
  feet or on separate planes
• Suction outlets must safely handle full flow of
  pump with one drain blocked

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ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Sumps

• Submerged suction outlet covers must have either
  the manufacturers recommended sump below or
  behind the outlet cover/grate, or a field-built
  sump of the design specified by the manufacturer
  to control flow through the open area of the
  cover/grate

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ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Approval

• Manufacturers specifications must show
  cover/grate and approved sump are rated for a
  flow exceeding the maximum flow for the pump with
  one drain blocked, or
• A registered design professional must certify
  that outlets meet ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007

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Approved Sumps
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Sumpless Drain

• Paramount SDX
• Cover mated with sump plate less than 2 inches
  tall
• Safety rated for 200 Gallons per Minute
• Reduces need to tear out small drain sumps

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Sumpless Drain cont.

• Bee Safe
• Fits over any size drain up to 36 inches or
  sumpless drains up to 8-inch diameter pipe
• Safety rated to 792 GPM

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Sumpless Drains cont.

• Neptune-Benson Aegis
• Fits any size drain up to 24 inches
• Safety rated to 1432 GPM
• 15-year life

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Determining Maximum Pump Flow

• Maximum flow indicated on pump performance curve,
  or
• System flow based on head loss calculations by a
  registered design professional, or
• System flow based on field measurement of total
  dynamic head

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Determining Maximum Pump Flow
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Approved Drain Cover
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE Contains WG1048E
Description 8 Round Suction Outlet
Cover Ratings Floor 125 GPM_ Wall_72 GPM______
Open Area_8.1 sqin____ Certified to Comply with
Section 1404 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act
(VGB) Pool Spa Safety Act Test Results can be
obtained fromwww.Haywardnet.com and/or
http//www.nsf.org/Certified/Pools/ Manufactured
Between October 2008 and December 2008, by
Hayward Pool Products in Jiangsu Province, China
and Clemmons, NC Divisions of Hayward Industries,
Inc. 620 Division Street, Elizabeth, NJ
07207, Phone [phone] Date of Mfr The Lot
Number shown on the product label contains the
Year Month of manufacture. The first number
represents the year (ex 8 2008) and the second
character the month (AJan, BFeb, HAug, I
is skipped, JSep, etc) Tested to ANSI/ASME
112.19.82007 (addendum 8a2008) per Section 1404
of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGB) Pool Spa
Safety Act. Certified by NSF International, 789
N. Dixboro, Road, Ann Arbor, MI. 48105
1(800)NSFMARK. Date of Installation______________
__________ ISWG1048COC
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Proof of Compliance

• Manufacturers certification of drain cover/grate
  compliance, and
• Specifications for sump matching cover/grate
  manufacturers specifications, and
• Pump performance curve showing pump cannot exceed
  the safe flow listed for the cover

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Alternative Proof of Compliance

• Sealed statement from a Registered Engineer or
  Architect verifying compliance with ASME/ANSI
  A112.19.8-2007 for field-fabricated drain systems

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Virginia Graeme Baker Pool Safety Act (cont.)

• Prohibits sale of drains that do not meet
  anti-entrapment standards
• Establishes pool safety grant program for states
  meeting minimum state law requirements
• Lacks enforcement provisions

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Proposed Amendments to North Carolina Rules

• Currently being drafted for enforcement in 2010

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Proposed Amendments

• Allow circulation systems with drains on a
  separate, smaller pump to reduce drain size
• Allow drain disablement or reversal of flow where
  plans from a registered design professional
  provide for water to be introduced at the bottom
  of the pool and removed through surface overflow

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Proposed Amendments (cont.)

• Enforce ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Suction Fittings
  for use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas,
  and Hot Tubs on all public swimming pools
• Allow all of the secondary protection methods
  suggested in the VGB Pool and Spa Safety Act for
  single-drain pools

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Proposed Amendments (cont.)

• Require a pool drain safety inspection for all
  public swimming pools
• ??? Who can do the drain safety inspection???
• Registered Design Professional? Yes
• Licensed Pool Contractor? Maybe
• Pool Operator?
• Pool Owner?

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Pool Drain Safety Inspection

• Evidence needed to show compliance

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Drain Safety Inspection

• Determine maximum pump flow
• Match a drain cover/grate to the flow
• Assure drain sump is sufficient for cover
• Document compliance with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8
• Conduct on all public pools with submerged
  suction outlets

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Determine Maximum Pump Flow

• Three Methods
• Use pump performance curve to find maximum
  possible flow for the pump
• Adjust for total dynamic head calculated by a
  registered design professional
• Adjust for total dynamic head based on field
  measurement of TDH

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Maximum Flow Based on Pump Performance Curve
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Calculating Total Dynamic Head

• Determine diameter and minimum lengths of pipes
  to and from pool
• Look up head losses for pipe, valves, filter and
  heater
• Add head losses to estimate TDH
• Check flow on pump performance curve for the
  calculated TDH

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Measuring Total Dynamic Head

• Open all valves and fittings
• Clean skimmers and filter
• Install vacuum gauge on pump strainer housing
• Install pressure gauge on pump outlet
• Multiply pressure PSI x 2.31 feet of water
• Multiply Vacuum Hg x 1.13 feet of water
• Add the two to give TDH

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Select Drain Cover/Grate

• Safety rating must handle the maximum flow with
  one drain blocked
• Pair with a sump meeting the cover/grate
  manufacturers specifications
• Follow manufacturers installation instructions
  to the letter

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Installation Instructions

• Single drain or multiple drains only
• Do not locate on seat or backrest
• Separate two or more drains by 3 feet or locate
  on different planes
• Drains must handle maximum flow with one drain
  blocked
• Do not exceed maximum flow rating

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Installation Instructions (cont.)

• Acceptable connecting pipe sizes
• Mounting positions
• Model numbers or specifications for acceptable
  sumps
• Life to replacement date
• Service and winterizing instructions

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Certification

• Only a Registered Design Professional can certify
  compliance with ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007. The
  health department can accept evidence of
  compliance for permitting decisions, but does not
  make certifications.

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Contact Information

• Jim Hayes
• [phone]
• Jim.hayes_at_ncmail.net

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Example 1

• 2 Hayward SP1048 Sumps
• Hayward WG1048 cover/grates VGB compliant at 125
  GPM (floor) and 72 GPM (wall)
• Hayward SP3007 Pump

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Determining Maximum Pump Flow
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Example 2

• 2 Hayward SP1048 Sumps
• Hayward WG1048 cover/grates VGB compliant at 125
  GPM (floor) and 72 GPM (wall)
• Hayward SP3007 Pump
• One drain wall-mounted

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Determining Maximum Pump Flow
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Example 3

• Unidentified sump, good condition, meets
  dimensional requirements
• Hayward WG 1048 cover and screws fit properly
• Hayward SP3020 pump

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Determining Maximum Pump Flow
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Example 4

• Unidentified sump, good condition, meets
  dimensional requirements
• Hayward WG 1048 cover and screws fit properly
• Hayward SP3020 pump
• 60 feet total dynamic head (measured)

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Determining Maximum Pump Flow
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Example 5

• Compliant drain covers visible
• Invoice indicates compliant sumps were purchased
• New plaster indicates recent work on drains
• New drain covers sized properly to meet maximum
  flow with one drain blocked

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Example 6

• Aquastar frame and grates VGB-compliant at 775
  GPM
• Frame and grates meet pump flow
• Frame and grate mounted on pipe without sump