Main drain covers are the hot topic in the pool industry this year. The Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA) was passed into Federal Law by Congress in December, 2007. The intention of the law is to prevent accidental drowning and injury due to entrapment on the suction grates of all swimming pools, spas and fountains. You can read more about the act on the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) web site.
What does this mean? If you are a commercial operation such as a hotel or health club, the local health department may close your facility down until you are in compliance with the law. Compliance may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as local laws may go beyond the minimal regulations established in VGBA. However, at the minimum, the main drain grates on your water facility probably need to be changed to the new approved grates.
The VGBA specifies main drain depth versus pipe size, as part of the safety regulations.
If you are a home pool owner and your pool was built before 2008, your pool is probably not in compliance and you may run the risk of accidental entrapment in your pool. Please call us if you would like us to assess your pool for this risk.
Yes, we scuba dive to change main drain grates, check for leaks and to make minor repairs.
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Phone us at: 301-608-1100
