The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which officially went into affect December 19, 2008, represents an important step to ensure pool and spa safety.  The law specifies that it is to be interpreted and enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  

We know many waterparks already comply with the law. In fact, waterparks already employ many anti-entrapment features including gravity drains, multiple drains, and low flow rates through drains. The risk of entrapment has been addressed with these features.

If you have not become familiar with the law, learn more by using the tools and links here. Please keep in mind that much of the information available applies most to pools and spas and not waterpark attractions. While waterparks with regular pools, spas and hot tubs should refer to the documents here to bring these areas into compliance by the deadline, not all compliance questions will be answered here.

World Waterpark Association (WWA) and IAAPA are working in collaboration on this important issue. Should you have any questions, please contact the WWA at BakerAct@waterparks.org or call the WWA office at +1-913-599-0300.

To view the CPSC's final interpretation on unblockable drains published in the Federal Register on 4-27-10, click here.

To view the 3-1-10 comments by Chairman Inez Tenenbaum click here.

To view the 3-1-10 comments by Commissioner Robert Adler click here.

To view the 3-1-10 comments by Commissioner Thomas H. Moore click here.

To view the 7-7-2009 CPSC Update letter to the VGB Act click here.

To view the 7-1-2009 CPSC Update letter to the VGB Act click here.

To view the CPSC May 2009 Report on the Pool and Spa Safety Act click here.

To view the CPSC 02-01-2009 Pool and Spa Safety FAQ Sheet click here.

To view the CPSC 12-16-2008 Industry Release click here.

To view the CPSC 12-15-2008 Enforcement Clarification click here.

To view the VGB Due Diligence Plan click here.

To view the Virginia Graeme Baker Act Seminar Powerpoint Presentation from WWA (Oct 2008) and IAAPA (Nov 2008) click here.

To view the Virginia Graeme Baker Act click here.

To view the CPSC VGB Compliance Letter click here.

To view the CPSC Guide to Compliance click here.

To view the CPSC Staff Draft Technical Guidance click here.

To view CPSC Pool and Spa Safety Publications click here.

To view a list provided by CPSC of manufacturers of ASME/ANSI Approved Drain Covers and ASME/ANSI/ASTM Approved Safety Vacuum Release Systems (Not all manufacturers currently offer grates for use in Waterpark Attractions) click here.

To view a APSP VGB Webinar click here.

To view the APSP VGB Compliance Guide click here.

To visit the APSP VGB information page click here.

To order the ASME standard for Suction Fittings for Use in Swmming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs click here