Pool Drain Law Goes Into Effect Designed To Prevent Drain Suction From Trapping Infants and Children Under Water
On December 19, 2008, The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act became effective. This law requires installation of anti-entrapment drain covers and other systems outlined in the act.
The Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted by Congress and was signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 19, 2007. It is designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas. Under this 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 one single main drain.
“The mission of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is to keep American families safe,” said Nancy Nord, CPSC Acting Chairman. “CPSC will enforce the requirements of the 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.”
For more information about the Pool and Spa Safety Act and how to comply, and which companies have been certified to manufacture drain covers and safety vacuum release systems, please log on to www.cpsc.gov/whatsnew.html#pool.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pool or spa accident, please contact the pool and spa attorneys at the Philadelphia law firm of Reiff and Bily for a free consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.
