Pool and Spa Safety Act
What is the background of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act?
On December 19, 2007, President Bush signed into law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, named after the daughter of Nancy Baker and the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker. Graeme Baker died in a tragic incident in June 2002 after the suction from a spa drain entrapped her under the water.
The new law is aimed at reducing the 260 pool and spa drownings each year involving children younger than 5 as well as suction entrapment injuries. The provisions of the Act intend to make pools and spas safer, secure the environment around them, and educate consumers and industry on pool safety. UL, as part of its mission and social responsibility, will be supporting and implementing the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
The Act specifies that by December 19, 2008, swimming pool and spa drain covers available for purchase in the U.S. must meet updated requirements. Additionally, public swimming pools, wading pools, spas and hot tubs must meet requirements for the installation of drain covers compliant with the updated requirements. In certain instances, public pools and spas must have additional devices or systems designed to help prevent suction entrapment.
What drain cover requirements are changing?
The Act would require drain covers comply with ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-2007, Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs. This Standard establishes materials, testing, and marking requirements for suction fittings that are designed to be totally submerged for use in swimming pools, wading pools, spas, and hot tubs, as well as other aquatic facilities. Suction fittings used in factory produced self-contained spas Listed to UL 1563 would also fall under the scope of the Act. All fittings for this use would need to comply with ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-2007 by the Effective Date of December 19, 2008. The following is a brief summary of the new and revised paragraphs in the Standard for Suction Fittings For Use In Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, And Hot Tubs, ASME A112.19.8, which have a future Effective Date of December 19, 2008 and the action that may be required to determine compliance.
| Paragraphs | General subject and comment |
| 3.2 | Either (1) 12 full size samples will be subjected to physical strength tests (Deflection, Point Load to Protrusion, Shear Load, Vacuum and Point Impact, Pull Load) after 1000 Hours exposure to UV per ASTM G155 (Cycle 1) or (2) bar samples are UV exposed and physical strength test parameters are adjusted based on UV degradation of key properties. |
| 4.1.2.1 | Additional Hair Entrapment Test to be conducted in revised test tank, with new pneumatic pull mechanism, and new full head hair "wand." |
| 4.1.2.2 | Existing Hair Entrapment Test to be reconducted in revised test tank, with new pneumatic pull mechanism, and existing 2 oz. hair "wand." |
| 5.1.3 | All fittings shall now be tested for body entrapment using a wood/foam Body Block Element. |
| Section 6 | All fittings shall be evaluated for finger and limb entrapment using the Finger Probe specified. |
| Section 7 | Significant changes in product and packaging markings. |
What UL CCNs and categories are affected?
WEBT2: Suction fittings for hydromassage bathtubs -- component
- Existing listed suction fittings, evaluated to ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-1987 will be moved to this category. These would be suitable for use in hydromassage bathtubs (NCHX).
- Existing Listed end-products (i.e. hydromassage bathtubs) already using suction fittings covered under this WEBT2 category require no additional testing.
- Not suitable for use in swimming pools, wading pools, in-ground spas, and similar aquatic facilities unless additionally evaluated to ASME A112.19.8-2007.
WEBS / WEBS7: Suction fittings for use in swimming pools, wading pools, spas, and hot tubs
- This category covers suction fittings intended for use in swimming pools, wading pools, in-ground (and self-contained) spas and hot tubs.
- The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-2007, "Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs."
- Products that comply with ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-2007, will also comply with the hair entrapment flow rate requirements of ANSI/ASME A112.19.7-2006, "Hydromassage Bathtub Appliances," without additional tests.
WCZW: Self-contained spas
- The standard will be revised to specify the use of only fittings that comply with ANSI/ASME A112.19.8-2007.
When and how will the affected companies be notified?
Affected companies that have current UL Listings will be notified by UL via postal mail. The letter will contain instructions on how to bring the affected products into compliance.
Besides manufacturers, who else is affected?
Not only are suction fitting manufacturers affected, but anyone using suction fittings is affected. Pool and spa owners may be required to retrofit public pool and spas with compliant parts. Pool and spa distributors will not be allowed to sell their current stock of noncompliant parts, new fittings must replace out-of-date fittings.
What is the role of the Consumer Product Safety Commission?
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act is administered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC may also play a part in developing requirements, enforcing rules, educating the public and appropriating grants.
To submit a pool and spa product for testing, visit: www.ul.com/appliancequote.
