The Consumer Product Safety Commission, originally scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss and vote on a proposed change to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act's current definition of an unblockable drain, has postponed the meeting to next Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Currently, the act defines an unblockable drain as a "drain of any size and shape that a human body cannot sufficiently block to create a suction entrapment hazard."
On April 27, 2010, the commission issued a final intepretive rule providing that certain drain covers that meet specific requirements could create unblockable drains. The CPSC has since received 156 letters asking for a re-examination of its interpretation of that definition, according to The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals.
Up to this point, the CPSC has supported the concept that certain approved drain covers can convert blockable drains to unblockable drains, therefore satisfying the requirements of VGB.As Athletic Business sister publication AQUA reports:
The CPSC's meeting could change that compliance model. If the current definition of an unblockable drain is changed, it is possible that the installation of approved drain covers could no longer be used to comply with VGB, and that other measures would be required, such as the installation of an SVRS, a vent pipe, multiple drain outlets, etc. - some kind of secondary anti-entrapment system as defined by the act. As always, it is impossible to know the precise effect of the CPSC's ruling until further clarifications are issued. However, in an email sent to media outlets, Carvin DiGiovanni, senior director, Technical and Standards, APSP, said, "The possible revocation of this rule means that a drain cover can no longer be used to convert a blockable drain into an unblockable drain.""It is important to note that there is no public comment period with this CPSC activity," DiGiovanni posted on the APSP website. "It is not seeking any public input for this vote."
The meeting will take place in Bethesda, Md., and can be followed live.
