For those not familiar with who Virginia Graeme Baker is, she was a 6-year-old little girl who was on vacation with her family. They were swimming in the hotel pool when her hair becomes entangled with the pools’ suction system. Soon after that the Virginia Graeme Baker Act was put in place. This act promotes the safe use of pools, spas and hot tubs by putting into place federal requirements for suction systems. The Act was put into place on December 20, 2007.

What Products are covered under the Virginia Graeme Baker Act?

Safety Drain Covers, every swimming pool and or spa drain covered must be met with the American National Standard AME code A112.19.8-2007. These safety drain covers must be installed in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. Both residential as well as commercial pools as well.

Public Pool Drain Covers, each and every public swimming pool and spa that contains one main drain has to be equipped with a federal accepted drain cover. These drain covers have to meet or exceed the ASME A112.19.8 ASME standards.

Public Pool Drain Systems, Every public pool and spa that has a single main drain. It must have an unblockable drain and will have one or more systems installed like the Hayward Vacuum Release System that prevents blockage or suction entrapment. A Vacuum Release System like the Hayward Stratum must be put in place as well. A suction limiting vent system or a gravity drainage system must be put in place. The system will have an automatic pump shutoff or a drain disablement system.

Each swimming pool and spa that was built more than a year after the Act was set in place must have one or more of the safety products or safety systems and the installation of more or more unblockabe drains must be necessary.

Why are these measures necessary?

The idea is to equip your swimming pool or spa with the necessary equipment to avoid accidents like hair, limbs, and disembowelment to jewelry from getting sucked into the suction system. As a homeowner you may have children swimming in your pool every summer. Kids swimming in pools are nerve wracking enough, so why not take the ultimate safety pre-cautions before a horrible accident happens. These accidents happen more often than we realize. It took the death of a six year old to get something done where it doesn’t happen to another person again.

By taking the necessary steps on your own swimming pool, you can avoid problems or accidents too. Hayward is one of the leaders in product compliance of the necessary changes that have to be met. Hayward Pool Products have an inventory of products that meet the requirements of the ASME A112.19.8-2007. They offer Pool Drain Covers and Safety Drains.

Plus the  Hayward Stratum Vacuum Release System Model VR1000. Talk to your Hayward Representative and see what products they offer to help you comply with the new federal act. There are grants available for commercial properties that cannot afford to make all of the necessary upgrades. The Virginia Graeme Baker Act went into effect on December 20, 2007. If you are building a swimming pool, do yourself a favor and look into making your swimming pool or spa the safest you can.