Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Safety Act

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Findings: In 2004, the second leading cause of injury related deaths in the U.S. for children fourteen (14) and under is by drowning. The law stemmed from the 2002 drowning of Virginia Graeme Baker, the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker III.
The Law: Below is a summary of those portions of the law that directly affect commercial operations that provide guest, members, or the general public with access to a swimming pool or spa.
The law placed the treatment of swimming pools and spa drain cover under Consumer Product Safety Committee and the Consumer Product Safety Act. Effective December 19th, 2008 all pool and spa drains manufactured, distributed or entered in commerce in the U.S. must conform to the entrapment protection standards of the ASME/ANSI.

Public Pools

Beginning December 19th, 2008

Each public pool or spa must be equipped with ant-entrapment devices or system

Every public pool and spa that a single drain (other than an unblockable drain) shall be equipped with one or more of the following

Safety vacuum release systemSuction limiting vent systemGravity drainage systemAutomatic pump shut-off systemDrain disablement

Standards must met the requirements of ASME/ANSI or ASTM

Public pool is defined by the law. The definition of public is used very loosely.

Open to the public generally, whether for a fee or free of charge;

Open exclusively to-

Members of an organization and their guestResidents of an apartment building or complex, residential real estate development, or other multifamily development (other than local government)Patrons of a hotel or other public accommodations facility

Operated by or for the Federal Government for the benefit of the Armed Forces and their dependents

TruePoint Insurance Group, LLC
1000 Pine Barren Rd
Pooler, GA 31322
(912) 330-1265
TruePoint Insurance Group, LLC is not licensed to practice law, nor can it provide legal counsel. This summary is not intended as a legal opinion. We cannot warrant that the opinions and representations provided in this summary are accurate. TruePoint Insurance Group, LLC has provided this summary of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act for your awareness. The summary may or may not identify your requirements as a pool or spa owner. If you own a pool or spa you are advised by TruePoint Insurance Group, LLC to refer your specific situation to legal counsel.