(Previously Published On 06/25/18)
Pool and spa drains are an important part of the circulation system, but they also require special attention when it comes to swimmer safety. Modern pool and spa drain covers are designed to reduce the risk of suction entrapment and must meet federal safety requirements established under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
If you own an older swimming pool or spa, however, you should not automatically assume that the drain covers currently installed meet today's requirements. Older drain covers, damaged covers, improperly installed covers, and certain recalled drain covers should be evaluated and replaced when necessary.
Why Are Pool and Spa Drains a Safety Concern?
Pool and spa circulation systems pull water through suction outlets before sending it through the pump, filter, heater, and other equipment.
Because considerable suction can exist at an outlet, an improperly protected drain can create an entrapment hazard. Hair, clothing, limbs, or a swimmer's body can potentially become trapped against or in an improperly protected suction outlet.
Modern drain covers are specifically designed and tested to reduce these risks when they are properly selected, installed, and maintained.
What Is the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act?
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, commonly called the VGB Act or VGBA, established federal requirements intended to reduce pool and spa suction-entrapment hazards.
The law took effect on December 19, 2008. Among its requirements, pool and spa drain covers must comply with applicable federal entrapment-protection standards.
Today's pool and spa drain covers offered for legal sale in the United States are required to meet the applicable federal drain-cover standard. However, that does not necessarily mean that every drain cover currently installed in an older pool or spa meets today's requirements.
Have an Older Pool? Pay Special Attention to the Drain Covers
If your pool or spa was built many years ago and still has older-style drain covers, it is a good idea to have the suction outlets inspected by a qualified pool professional.
Drain covers installed before modern VGB requirements may not provide the same anti-entrapment protection as current compliant covers. Even a cover that was compliant when originally installed can eventually require replacement because of age, deterioration, damage, changes to the circulation system, or the manufacturer's specified service life.
Drain Covers Have Flow Ratings
A replacement drain cover cannot be selected solely because it fits over the existing opening.
Drain covers are designed and rated for specific applications and maximum flow rates. The appropriate cover must be compatible with the suction outlet and capable of safely handling the flow produced by the circulation system.
This is one reason drain-cover replacement should not be treated as simply finding another cover with the same approximate dimensions.
Does Every Pool Only Need a New Drain Cover?
Not necessarily.
The correct anti-entrapment protection depends on the pool or spa's plumbing and suction-outlet configuration. Certain configurations, particularly systems involving a single blockable suction outlet, may require additional anti-entrapment protection in addition to an approved drain cover.
Depending on the installation, this can involve multiple properly spaced drains or an approved secondary anti-entrapment system.
A qualified pool professional should evaluate the complete suction system rather than simply replacing a cover without considering how the system is plumbed.
Never Swim Near or Play With a Pool Drain
Even when a pool has modern compliant drain covers, children and other swimmers should be taught not to sit on, play with, block, or deliberately swim against pool and spa suction outlets.
Children should always be actively supervised whenever they are in or around a swimming pool, spa, or other body of water.
Inspect Drain Covers Regularly
Drain covers should be included in routine pool inspections. Look for:
- Cracks or broken sections
- Missing or damaged screws or fasteners
- A cover that appears loose
- Missing drain covers
- Warping or deterioration
- Unusual movement of the cover
- Missing or unreadable identifying markings
- Older covers whose age or compliance is unknown
If a drain cover appears damaged or questionable, stop using the pool or spa until it can be evaluated.
A missing drain cover can create a serious entrapment hazard. Keep swimmers out of the water until the proper drain cover has been installed and the system has been inspected.
What About the Major Pool Drain Cover Recall?
In May 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), working with several manufacturers, announced a large voluntary recall involving approximately one million pool and in-ground spa drain covers.
The issue was not simply that the covers were old. Certain covers had been incorrectly rated during testing for the amount of water flow they could safely accommodate, potentially creating an entrapment hazard.
Manufacturers involved in the original recall included:
- A&A Manufacturing
- AquaStar Pool Products
- Color Match Pool Fittings
- Custom Molded Products (CMP)
- Hayward Pool Products
- Pentair Water Pool & Spa
- Rising Dragon USA
- Waterway Plastics
That recall remains part of the history of pool-drain safety, but today's pool owner should look at the larger issue: Is the drain cover currently installed appropriate, compliant, undamaged, properly secured, and correctly rated for the circulation system?
What If I Think I Still Have a Recalled Drain Cover?
If you believe an older drain cover may have been involved in a recall, do not remove or modify it yourself simply to identify it.
Instead, gather whatever information can be safely identified, including:
- Manufacturer name
- Model number
- Approximate date of installation
- Shape and dimensions of the drain cover
- Number of suction outlets connected to the circulation system
- Any flow-rating or certification markings visible on the cover
A pool professional can use this information to help determine whether the drain cover should be replaced and whether the suction system requires additional modifications.
New Drain Covers Still Need to Be Properly Selected
Modern drain covers are manufactured to current safety standards, but purchasing a new drain cover does not by itself guarantee a safe installation.
The cover must still be appropriate for the suction fitting, properly installed using the specified hardware, compatible with the system's flow rate, and replaced within the service life specified by the manufacturer.
Pool owners should also be cautious about unverified replacement drain covers from unknown sources. Products that fail to meet federal drain-cover requirements have continued to appear in the marketplace and may be subject to safety recalls.
Basic Pool and Spa Drain Safety Rules
- Never use a pool or spa with a missing or broken drain cover.
- Teach children not to play with or sit on pool or spa drains.
- Never deliberately block a suction outlet.
- Keep long hair away from drains and suction fittings.
- Inspect drain covers regularly for cracks, damage, and loose fasteners.
- Replace older or questionable drain covers with properly selected current-compliant covers.
- Make sure the replacement cover is properly rated for the circulation system.
- Have unusual or older suction systems evaluated by a qualified pool professional.
- Never modify a drain cover or suction fitting in an attempt to make another cover fit.
- Always actively supervise children in and around pools and spas.
When Should an Older Pool Drain Be Upgraded?
If you have an older pool and do not know when the drain covers were installed, what standard they meet, or whether they are still within their approved service life, an inspection is worthwhile.
Older-style drain covers should not simply be left in place indefinitely because they appear to be functioning. Pool drain-cover technology and anti-entrapment requirements have changed considerably since many older pools were originally constructed.
Replacing an outdated drain cover with the proper current-compliant cover is a relatively small component of pool maintenance that can make an important difference in swimmer safety.
Bath & Spa Parts Online carries replacement pool and spa parts from many of the industry's major manufacturers.
If you're trying to identify an older drain cover, suction fitting, or replacement pool or spa component, give us a call or contact us through our website. Part numbers, measurements, manufacturer markings, and clear photos can help us identify what you have and determine whether a current replacement is available.
Pool and spa suction systems involve important safety considerations. Drain-cover requirements can vary depending on the pool design, plumbing configuration, flow rate, applicable codes, and whether the installation is residential or commercial. When in doubt, have the system evaluated by a qualified pool professional and follow all applicable manufacturer instructions and safety requirements.