logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Contact
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Contact
What does the Act mean ….
News
April 30, 2022
What does the Act mean ….

What does the Act mean for pool techs?

Florida swimming pools and spas are required to replace the main drain covers with VGB compliant covers. Florida’s newer public swimming pools (since 1977), and spas (since 1993), have been built with gravity drainage to a collector tank. These pools would only need to replace the main drain grate/cover to comply with the VGB Act. In Florida, there are still some older spas that were built with a suction-limiting vent system. These facilities, also, will only need to replace their main drain grate/cover to be in compliance with the VGB Act. The old direct suction pools and spas are required to replace the main drain grate/cover and provide direct suction safety devices. https://www.floridahealth.gov/ environmental-health/swimmingpools/_ documents/approved.pdf

What are the basic requirements of this law?

The VGB Act requires two basic items for all public pools and spas to comply: 1.Main drain grate/cover has to be replaced with one that meets the requirements of the new ASME/ ANSI A112.19.8-2007 performance standard.

2.Direct suction system and its entrapment hazard has to be mitigated by one of six methods below:

• Safety Vacuum Release System conforming to ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17 or ASTM standard F2387. The device should be capable of providing a vacuum release at a suction outlet caused by a high vacuum occurrence due to a suction outlet flow blockage.

• Suction-Limiting Vent System with a tamper-resistant atmospheric opening. This system has a pipe vented to the atmosphere that connects to a suction pipe between the pool and the pump. When an entrapment of vacuum occurs, air from the vent pipes replaces the water in the suction pipe by breaking the vacuum.

• Gravity Drainage System with a collector tank (required in Florida).

• Automatic Pump Shut-Off System.

• Drain Disablement device or system, or;

• OtherSystemsthattheConsumerProduct Safety Commission (CPSC) approves.

Who can perform the work?

VGB main drain covers can only be replaced or retrofitted by a Florida licensed pool contractor. A pool tech that has a pool operator certification cannot perform this level of work.

What should a licensed pool tech look for?

Drain covers require a certain amount of care to assure the pool’s safety and compliance with the VGB federal law. Pool techs look at drain covers look as deceptively simple. But even experienced pool professionals have had some errors with installation of these drain covers in the field. For instance, small, blockable drain covers meant for lower flows sometimes are installed in systems with modern, high-powered pumps. For this reason, properly replacing a drain cover involves more than just choosing to install any drain cover with a VGB stamp. Instead, the drain cover model must be suitable for the specific pool project. The drain shall be rated to accommodate the pump’s highest possible flow and not the rate at which it is expected to run most of the time. Pool techs should look up the pump manufacturer’s published performance curve for the particular model. This is an effective way to find the potential flow. Once that is known, a drain cover with a higher flow rating can be selected. This still does not cover all items. Pool techs need to understand that sump depth presents another compatibility issue when installing VGB main drain covers.

What form is required to be submitted for a VGB main drain cover replacement?

The Florida Department of Health requires that Form DH4157 is submitted for any suction outlet drain cover replacement immediately after installation. The form can be found and submitted to the local county Environmental Health Office at www. floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/ swimming-pools/_documents/dh4157. pdf.

Form DH4157 https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/swimming-pools/_documents/dh4157.pdf

LATEST NEWS
MLB team boasts stadium swimming pool
News
MLB team boasts stadium swimming pool
Winning team swims — AZ Diamondbacks motivated to keep opposition out of their pool
November 29, 2023
There was a rumor floating around Major League Baseball that if the Philadelphia Phillies had clinched the National League Pennant at Chase Field — th...
this is a test
News
Ho Ho Ho — Trade show season here we go
November 29, 2023
As winter’s official onset looms just around the corner, snow has already blanketed various regions across the country. With the swim season now behin...
this is a test
News
CO poisoning sends 4 to hospital
November 29, 2023
Four people were hospitalized following carbon monoxide exposure at a Minnesota hotel. The fire department was called to the Rochester La Quinta Inn a...
this is a test
News
U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan
November 29, 2023
In response to a call to action on drowning prevention put forth by the World Health Organization, Water Safety USA has developed a U.S. National Wate...
this is a test
News
PHTA offers members class passes
November 29, 2023
Training your staff is vital, but it can be costly and time-consuming. Now, the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance is delivering a new, complimentary member be...
this is a test
John Lennon’s ‘Psychedelic Eye’ auctioned
News
John Lennon’s ‘Psychedelic Eye’ auctioned
November 29, 2023
A mosaic tile “Psychedelic Eye,” once located on the bottom of Beatle John Lennon’s swimming pool, was auctioned on November 29. The mosaic, commissio...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 15-17, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 24-26, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 34th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 8-10, Coronado, California
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 9-11, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Mar. 23-25, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK