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Reviewing the updated drain cover standard

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Since 1990, HydroTher Hot Tubs have been the #1 choice of architects, consultants, designers and facility operators for commercial aquatic applications.

On May 24, 2021, there was a change to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA). Specifically, there was a change to its corresponding U.S. Consumer Product Safety Standard, ANSI/APSP/ICC-16. This is the drain cover standard referenced in U.S. federal law. The VGBA requires drain covers to comply with the standard’s specified protection requirements.

The VGBA is also used extensively in Canada, including all public facilities in Alberta, which use both ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 and ANSI/APSP/ICC-7. Canadian pool professionals are active participants in the usage and development of these pool and spa standards.

The following is a brief overview of why the change was implemented, as well as what actions are now required from pool professionals.

Examining the revised standard

ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 is the American National Standard for suction outlet fitting assemblies (SOFAs) for use in pools, spas, and hot tubs. This standard is also referred to as VGBA-2017, the new markings found on compliant drain covers.

At the highest level, all standards under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) must undergo periodic maintenance. This means they need to be reviewed every five years and every 10 years at minimum. ANSI standards can be reaffirmed, revised, or even discontinued.

Upon review, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ultimately found changing the current ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 standard, also known as VGB-2008, was in the public interest. They voted unanimously to make the 2017 edition the successor standard. However, it took until May 2021 for the implementation to be mandated. The delay from the 2017 revision to the effective date was to allow manufacturers and registered design professionals time to comply with significant new documentation and product marking requirements. The effective date was also extended by six months due to COVID-19.

Of course, there is some question as to why the 2008 standard was called VGB-2008, while the most recent version is called VGBA-2017. The family of the standard’s namesake, Virginia Graeme Baker, has requested the pool and spa industry refer to the standard using the word “Act,” to differentiate from the person they lost so tragically. The revised standard is called VGBA-2017 for this reason.

The term SOFA will also be used more frequently in the wake of the recently updated standard. VGBA-2017 defines a SOFA as “all components, including the cover/grate, used to attach the cover/grate(s) to the finished surface of a pool and to an individual suction system.” What does this mean for the installer? It means moving forward, SOFA will be used more often in training manuals and manufacturer instructions. Knowing the full meaning of the acronym will assist in navigating directions provided with VGBA-2017 offerings.


The effect of pipe size and sump depth on flow rating

Now that the SOFA model has been defined as the cover, the sump, and the pipe depth (including pipe orientation and size), it is important to realize each SOFA model will have its own flow rating. This is a new requirement of VGBA-2017. All sump dimensions must also be documented as tested by an ISO 17025 test lab.The previous version included a Figure 2, allowing the use of untested sump depths based on one and a half times the nominal pipe diameter as the minimum sump depth. This option has been deleted and replaced. The concept can still be used; however, the cover manufacturer must provide the physical minimum dimensions of each compatible sump and not just the formula to measure the pipe and calculate the sump depth. These minimum sump dimensions must be provided in the product specifications, allowing installers to make an informed purchase.

The applicable product instructions are based on manufacturing date

Product manufactured before May 24, 2021, remains legal to buy, sell, install, and use until the end of the product’s service life. These products are easily recognized, as certified compliant products will be marked with either ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007, -2008a, or -2009b; VGB-2008; or ANSI/APSP-16 2011. For products certified to those standards, professionals can follow the applicable instructions. Anything manufactured on or after May 24, 2021, will be marked with VGBA-2017. Those products will also be marked as “blockable” or “unblockable,” to give more information on the product at hand. Instead of having a floor or in-wall flow rate, they will indicate something like, “For flow rates, see instructions,” because most drain covers are intended to go over various pipes, applications, and sumps. Each one of those SOFA configurations is going to have its own minimum sump depth and flow rating.

How to perform an inspection

It is imperative for service professionals to inspect drain covers in pools and hot tubs to ensure they are assembled properly and not compromised in any way. Many retrofittable drain covers have multiple screw hole patterns, and they will always have unused screw holes, which can make inspections a bit tricky. It is also important to confirm whether the covers are within the manufacturer-specified lifespan. This may vary by the cover, but it is often is five years from the installation date.

Plastics become brittle over time, even underwater, as the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays pass through the pool and provide the brilliant colour professionals strive to maintain. Brittle plastic cannot be seen until it cracks, then it is too late. Proactively tracking and replacing plastic drain covers is key to long-term suction safety. VGBA-2017 product packaging will include forms specific to the cover model, making this information easier to track.

How pool pumps have changed

By now, most professionals are aware of the regulation changes regarding pool pumps, which took effect on July 19, 2021. What many do not realize, however, is the increased usage of variable speed pumps can absolutely be impacted by VGBA-2017. The practical effect of the dedicated purpose pool pump regulation is it outlaws most single-speed pool pumps with 1 to 5 horsepower (hp), the workhorses found on most residential pools, spas, and water features.

Pool professionals must use caution when they change from single-speed to variable-speed pumps. In most cases, the replacement variable-speed pump will have the ability to move significantly more water than the old pump. While the goal is to run the pump at a lower speed to save energy, the pump itself will still maintain the ability to run at a high speed. When pump performance increases, suction entrapment risk can do the same. This increased risk must be looked at carefully before considering the job complete.

It is crucial to look for any faulty drains connected to the pump. Missing, broken, or damaged drain covers can be dangerous. Excessive flow through drain covers is the leading cause of reported suction entrapments (these reports include VGBA-compliant covers). When picking up a new pump, it is a good idea to select replacement drain covers with a VGBA flow rating that can handle the high-speed flow rating of the pump. This is often referred to as the max flow. Drain cover manufacturers should offer support materials to assist as needed.

A word of caution should also be given when attempting to use the max flow of a pump to size replacement drain covers on pools with 38 mm (1.5 in.) and 50 mm (2 in.) pipe. They have significantly lower flow ratings compared to the max flow of pumps, because they do not have the capacity to move as much water as the short pipe runs used for NSF-50 pump testing. In these instances, the flow rating restriction is not the drain cover, but the pipe it is connected to. When this situation arises, the actual flow of the operating VGBA suction system should be used to confirm VGBA-2017 compliance. While the flow ratings of drains compatible with 38 mm pipe appear very low, typical drain cover flow capacity far exceeds the flow the suction pipe can handle without cavitating the pump.

The author’s company has a certified NSF testing lab to conduct hair and body block testing to generate pipe-specific flow ratings. NSF is also their certification agency for all products in compliance with the revised federal drain cover standard ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017. These products are marked VGBA-2017. The company is able to provide many common (and even some uncommon) configurations, so customers have the information they need to ensure their pools are safe and VGBA-2017 compliant.

 Conclusion

As with all products, it is always important to read the specifications before placing the order, then follow the instructions included with drain covers. Doing so will ensure proper safety and compliance with the updated VGBA-2017 standard.

By: Pool and Spa Marketing March 3rd 2022

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