• Aquatic Facility Assessment including analysis of structures, systems, and environment
• Design and Construction Documents for Modernization of Facilities
• Aquatic Facility Design Development and Construction Documents For:

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

Probably no local, state or federal swimming pool regulations in recent years have impacted the industry as has the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. Born out of a tragic entrapment accident several years ago, this law, which went into effect in December 2007, required all pools and spas to have new drain covers or certified old ones by December 2008 or opening day whichever came later.

The C. T. Brannon Corporation has been at the forefront of the issue and as of this writing we have reviewed and in some circumstances designed or certified over 300 drain covers or grates .

Our VGB client list includes the cities of Dallas, Fort Worth, Garland, Lewisville, Denton, Tyler, and dozens of others.  It also includes the University of North Texas, Tyler Junior College, Lewisville ISD, and several other school districts.  And, it includes private and public water parks such as Hawaiian Falls and Canton Splash Kingdom.

Essentially the law says this:

1. Every drain cover has to be inspected.  If it is a small, blockable cover, as defined by the law, the cover must be replaced with a cover bearing the ASME A112.19.8-2007 stamp which shows the rated flow and other information. The types of approved covers are legion. Some fit on existing drain sumps while others surface mount to the pool shell over the drain sump.
2. If the grate is large and unblockable, as defined in the law, the cover must be inspected and either certified by a licensed professional engineer as a field fabricated cover, or retrofitted or replaced so that it can then be certified by a licensed professional engineer.

Here is where we can help. We can:

• Make the required inspections
• Analyze the grate, the sump, the suction piping and the pumping system
• Make recommendations as to the replacement of a blockable cover with an ASME rated cover.
• Make recommendations as to the retrofit or replacement of unblockable field fabricated grates.
• If the drain system is complex, for example in a water park, we analyze the drain system and tell you how much water each drain pulls and the adequacy of the drainage components from grate to pump.
• We prepare a written report on our findings.  If certification of a field fabricated grate is necessary, we list the information you are required to keep for any future inspections in accordance with ASME A112.19.8-2007
• If a re-inspection is necessary, as in the case of reconstruction work, we will inspect and certify the work upon completion.

Costs are not as high as you might expect - approximately $1,500 for the first pump and drain set and $800 to $1,000 for each additional pump and drain set at that same venue. If the venue is over 150 miles from our office there are additional charges for travel related expenses. Additional charges also apply for re-inspection of failing grates and replacement projects. Call us for a fixed fee proposal for our services where permitted by law.

There are some misconceptions out in the market place. Here are some FAQ’s we’ve received:

1) I have a gravity drain system to an open pit. I don’t have to modify my drains, do I?

Answer: Not so. VGB requires ALL drains to be replaced and grants no exemption for gravity drain system.

2) I’ve heard there is a $2 million fine for failure to comply. Is that right?

Answer: Like most federal laws there could be fines. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has agreed that in most cases a pool would simply be closed until it complied.  That doesn’t help you, though, if a tragic accident occurs meantime and you get sued!  If someone is injured or killed at your non-compliant pool, the federal fines are probably the least of your financial concerns.

3) I have two drains on each pump. That satisfies the law, doesn’t it?

Answer: Unfortunately no.

4) This law only applies to the covers, doesn’t it? I don’t need to worry about the sump under the cover or the pipe leading to the pump, do I?

Answer: No. The law applies to the whole of the drainage system because the size of the lines and pumps also restricts the allowable flow across the grate. A sump is required - bare pipe stubbed up under a drain cover is not sufficient.

5) I’m a private health club and not a public pool. I don’t have to comply do I?

Answer: The law essentially applies to all non-single family residential pools. The term “PUBLIC” in the law is extended to any pool available to the public where a fee is charged or not; open exclusively to members and their guests; apartments; hotels/motels; armed forces pools; and includes schools and colleges.

6) I have a safety vacuum release device (SVRD) that shuts down my pumps in the event of an entrapment.  Do I still have to comply?

Answer: Yes. If you have only one main drain outlet connected to a pump, a secondary level of protection like a SVRD is required by VGB.  If you have multiple drains on a pump, it is not required by VGB but could be required by local or state codes. In neither event is cover replacement exempted, however.