Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
Introduction Guidelines
General Counsel's Letters
Requests for Comments
Public Comments
Public Hearings
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted by Congress and signed by President Bush on December 19, 2007. Designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas, the law became effective on December 19, 2008. 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 a single main drain other than an unblockable drain.
Introduction to the Act
CPSC/CPSC Staff Guidelines
- Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Act Briefing and Ballot: Unblockable Drains/Public Assistance Implementation of the Section 1405 State Grant Programs, February 4, 20100 [PDF]
- Technical Memorandum on Unblockable Drains, July 2009 [PDF]
- CPSC Enforcement Position, December 15, 2008
- CPSC Staff's Guide to Complying with the Law, October 2008 [PDF]
- Section 1406 Draft Guidance Document, September 2008 [PDF]
- CPSC Staff Interpretation of Section 1404 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, June 18, 2008 [PDF]
Letters from CPSC's General Counsel's Office
- To the San Antonio Gary Equipment Company, October 16 2009 [PDF]
- To the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, October 13 2009 [PDF]
- To State Attorneys General, July 8, 2009 [PDF]
- To the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IIAPA), July 7, 2009 [PDF]
- To the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IIAPA), June 19, 2009 [PDF]
- To State Attorneys General, December 5, 2008 [PDF]
- To the Florida Department of Health, May 6, 2008 [PDF]
Requests for Public Comments
- Ballot Vote on Draft Federal Register notice for Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act Compliance Form, September 2009 (Comments Due by November 20, 2009
- Staff Draft Technical Guidance on Unblockable Drains, July 2009 [PDF] (Comment Period is over)
- Section 1404 Public Comment Period (Comment Period is over)
- CPSC Staff Draft Technical Guidance on Section 1406 on Minimum State Requirements for Grant Program Public Comment Period (Comment Period is over)
Public Comments
- Presentations and Written Comments: Public Hearing Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act – Unblockable Drain Guidance, Wednesday, November 4 , 2009 [PDF]
- Public Comments Received (Comments 1 through 69, August 11, 2009) on Technical Guidance on Unblockable Drains (July 2009 CPSC Staff Draft) [PDF]
- Public Comments Received (Comments 1 through 23, October 20, 2008) [PDF]
- Public Comments Received (Comments 1 through 28, April 1, 2008) [PDF]
Public Hearings
- Unblockable Drains: The Commission conducted a public hearing on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 to receive views from all interested parties about the draft guidance for industry entitled “July 2009 Staff Draft Technical Guidance on Unblockable Drains.” The guidance specifies requirement for a drain cover, such that, when attached to a drain, it constitutes an unblockable drain.
