A new federal law covering all public pools in the U.S. became effective December 19, 2008. This law, the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act, mandates that existing and new swimming, whirlpool, wading, and other types of public pools must incorporate design changes in these pools to prevent suction entrapment dangers/hazards to users, particularly young children.

Suction entrapment dangers can occur when swimming pool hydraulic/recirculating systems (e.g. pumps, filters, piping) generate excessive suction at bottom drains and other suction points whereby people can become affixed or attached to these suction points, causing serious injury or death. The current enforcement agency in NC for this new law is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (http://www.poolsafety.gov/index.html) and not local Health Departments. This law contains provisions which also may impact private, residential swimming pools. For more information, see resources below: 

• Mecklenburg County Public Pool Notice
• Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act
• APSP Compliance Brochure

Web site Resources

• NC Division of Environmental Health
  State website provides summary on the VGB Act, including the impact on public pools, current State policy and FAQ on the VGB Act in North Carolina
   
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission
  Enforcement agency for the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act, web site provides information on enforcement and interpretation of VGB Act
   
• National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF)
  Leading pool industry educational/research arm with multiple links to guidance documents from CPSC 
   
• Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP)
  Leading pool industry professional association with multiple links, documents related to the VGB Act 
   
• APSP Compliance Brochure
  Compliance guide produced by APSP
   
• ANSI/ASME Standards
  A112.19.8-2007 standard for pool design referenced in the Virginia Graeme Baker Act