AH&LA issues pool safety memo

Pool and spa safety: stay on the right side of the law
What is the current situation?
• Under federal law, all public pool owners and operators must install pool drain covers that meet American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards, install an automatic pump shut-off system, and ensure multiple pool drains are three feet apart.  The law, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, took effect December 19, 2008.

• This issue was highlighted by a Today Show segment yesterday morning about pool safety at hotels and other public pool facilities.

• The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said it will prioritize their enforcement, starting with wading pools, children's pools, and in-ground spas.

• CPSC will not levy fines on those properties that do not have the required safety equipment, but does retain the authority to close pools if necessary.

• Lodging industry pool operators have been working since 2007 to secure drain covers and the other equipment mandated by the law, despite the lack of equipment by pool drain cover manufacturers.

What can you do?
• AH encourages members to use the public attention on the topic as an opportunity to evaluate and ensure their properties meet federal pool and spa safety standards.

• Members who have public pools or spas should obtain and install the proper drain covers and shut-off systems, as well as ensure compliance with pool drain placement requirements.

• AH recommends members document their efforts to comply with the federal law. Such information we recommend you record includes: the number of pool drains, type of drain cover(s), emergency cut-off information, and efforts to contact suppliers and contractors.

• Members should also be aware that some local or state regulations conflict with the federal Act, placing the facilities in a conundrum about which pool safety regulation they must follow to satisfy CPSC and state inspectors.

• For more AH information about this federal law, including links to suppliers of pool drain covers, click here.

• For pool safety and compliance information from the CPSC, please visit www.poolsafety.gov.

• If you need to communicate with members of the media on this topic, please refer to our official press statement to guide your response.

Contact Kevin Maher at kmaher@ahla.com or (202) 289-3147 with questions regarding pool safety compliance; contact Bob Baylor at rbaylor@ahla.com <mailto:rbaylor@ahla.com>  or (202) 289-3122 to inform AH of local media coverage of this topic in your area.