"Virginia Graham Baker Act" A Little Girls Memory

I want to tell you about the new VGBA (Virginia Graham Baker Act) as it pertains to residential pools and spas. The following text's are taken from the pool and spa news.

Currently, the requirements mandate that all residential pools must be equipped with compliant drain covers for states to obtain the grant money. In addition, pools must be built with dual or unblockable drains or no drains at all. Backup anti-entrapment devices such as safety vacuum release systems, suction-limiting vents and automatic pump shut-offs were not listed as mandatory.

The barrier requirements also have drawn criticism. Four-sided fences are mandated on in-ground and above-ground pools and spas, but the house can function as one side of that barrier if door alarms or an automatic safety cover are used.

There are new pool drain covers available now that comply with the new laws. If you are buying a new pool or spa in the future the manufacturers and builders should already have updated their inventory to comply. Spa manufacturers already have complied and made changes to their design so you don't have to worry about that.  For those of you with older pools you may need to retro-fit your pool now. Check with your local building department to see if you need to do any retro-fits.

You should read about the little girl for whom this safety act was created, I read this and felt I had an obligation to tell her story and get as many people to comply as I can for the sake of all of our children. No parent should ever have to go through this kind of experience.

Check out the blog from Lisa Hallett Taylor, which tells the story of Virginia and her family. 

Until Next Time...