The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2007 is a mandatory Federal Requirement that became effective December 19, 2008. It requires all public swimming pool owners and operators to install drain covers meeting the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 Standard by December 19, 2008. This requirement must be met by all public swimming pools, even those with 2 main drains, and applies to all drain sizes except those too large to be blocked by a human body. Very few drain covers installed prior to 2009 meet the new standards. The new federal law will prohibit the sale of the older style drains after December 2008; however pool owners will still need to verify that the drain covers installed meet the new standards. The standard should be listed on the drain cover itself or on the packaging material.

The new pool drain safety standards in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Safety Act are planned to be enforced beginning May 1, 2010 for all public swimming pools in North Carolina. North Carolina requires that pool owners provide documentation of compliance with three key components of the standards of this Act. Pools that fail to provide proof of compliance will be required to close until compliance has been documented. To assist with compliance questions and documentation requirements, the links below are very helpful.

How Compliance is Documented

• Documenting Maximum Pump Flow
• Documenting the Size of Drain Sumps
• Selecting an Approved Cover/Grate
• Documenting Flow Reduction
• Don't Forget Skimmer Equalizers
• Additional Requirements for Single-Drain Pumping Systems