Pool & Spa Safety Act
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding public pool and spa owners and operators nationwide that the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA) took effect December 19, 2008. This law requires installation of anti-entrapment drain covers and other systems as outlined in the act.
The Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted by congress and signed by President Bush on December 19, 2007, and 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.
Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) shares in the responsibility to ensure this law is properly enforced. Pool and spa operators are encouraged to continue working as diligently as possible to come into compliance.
Helpful Information for Pool & Spa Operators
The facility owners and managers should mail compliance forms to OPH. The office will review each form for compliance and report the information to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, who has the regulatory authority to close facilities and enforce penalties as necessary.
Additional Information