Welcome to the Associated Swimming Pool Industries of Florida (ASPI)
The ASPI is a local group of swimming pool builders, service companies, wholesale distributers, manufacturers, and other related professionals. We have been serving the South Florida community for 37 years. ASPI has spearheaded successful efforts to speed up plans processing and the issuing of permits and inspections. This has resulted in a saving of both time and expense to our industry and the consumer. We have also raised awareness of the proliferation of unlicensed, uninsured and unskilled individuals and have lobbied the Miami-Dade County Commission to hire additional enforcement personnel. ASPI holds its monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month at the Piccadilly Cafeteria located at 8301 W Flagler Street in Miami, during which time all issues and concerns relating to our industry are addressed. These meetings include a free dinner, expert guest speakers, and more. They are open to all members and associates. All licensed pool professionals are invited to attend. ASPI also provides sponsorship of a college scholarship fund to our members and families who qualify. We also offer a binding arbitration clause in our contract which settles disputes without court costs and attorneys fees.
ASPI publishes a monthly newsletter called "The Pipeline". It contains the information on the upcoming meeting, information about the pool industry, columns by our lawyer, CPA, code compliance, pool technology, and photos of our past meeting or event. The February 2010 Pipeline issue is available for download (1.35 mb).
ASPI also sponsors several social events during the year. In the fall, we have a picnic (398 kb) for all members, their employees and families. The picnic for 2009 is on Sunday, October 18th at TY Park Shelter #11. In March, we have our annual officer installation Banquet and Dinner Dance.
The next ASPI meeting is on Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sponsored by Zodiac Pool Care
Topics: AquaPure Ei Salt System
2010 Zodiac products
All pool personnel are welcome to attend.
Florida Department of Health Pool Rule deadline for public pools: November 20, 2009.
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act
(Links open in new window)
The Federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (PDF) is named after the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker and signed into law by President Bush in December 2007. It takes effect on December 19, 2008. In 2002, 7 year-old Graeme Baker died after being entrapped by the powerful suction of a spa at a friend's home. When she was discovered, her mother was unable to free her. Two men freed her after pulling so hard it broke the main drain cover.
The VGB Act specifies anti-entrapment requirements for both public and residential pools. One of the requirements is to replace the main drain cover/grate with a new cover that meets the ASME A112.19.8-2007 standard. Beginning on December 19, 2008, each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States shall conform to the entrapment protection standards of the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard, or any successor standard regulating such swimming pool or drain cover.
How to identify a compliant main drain cover
They will have the following embossed or permanently marked in a location that is visible when installed:
- a flow rating "X GPM"
- "Life: X Years"
- Manufacturer and Model
- VGB 2008 (as of November 12, 2008)
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The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recognizes three organizations that conduct testing on drain covers and issue certification. As long as a drain cover is approved by one of these three organizations, it complies with the federal law. They are: the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
CPSC Manufacturers of ASME/ANSI Approved Drain Covers and ASME/ANSI/ASTM Approved Safety Vacuum Release Systems
IAPMO Product Listing Directory and search for suction fittings or name of company.
NSF Certified main drain grates for pools & spas
UL Online Certifications Directory
CPSC Enforcement Position - December 15, 2008
Public pools are covered under section 1404 of the Act. The following text comes from a fact sheet document issued by the Florida Department of Health - Environmental Health - Swimming Pools regarding the implementation for public pools in Florida.
Factsheet for gravity drained AND direct suction pools and spas (PDF)
Technical Guidance and Protocol for CHD staff and Regional Engineers (PDF)
Florida Department of Health - Approved main drain cover list (PDF)
Main drain cover/grate replacement acknowledgement form with Miami-Dade Health Dept. contact info (PDF) Form field enabled - fill in on computer and print.
Main drain cover/grate replacement acknowledgement form with Broward Health Dept. contact info (PDF) Form field enabled - fill in on computer and print.
Main drain cover/grate replacement acknowledgement form with Palm Beach Health Dept. contact info (PDF) Form field enabled - fill in on computer and print.
Example format for swimming pool grate/drain cover replacement submittal information (PDF)
List of Florida County Health Department offices
Question: What are the basic requirements of this law?
Answer: The Act requires three basic things for all public pools and spas.
1. The first requirement is that the main drain grate/cover be replaced with one that meets the requirements of the new ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 performance standard, "Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs".
2. The second requirement is that the direct pump suction drainage system entrapment hazard be mitigated by one of six methods, i.e., changes to the recirculation system.
- Safety Vacuum Release System conforming to ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17 or ASTM standard F2387
- Suction-Limiting Vent System with a tamper-resistant atmospheric opening
- Gravity Drainage System with a collector tank (required in Florida)
- Automatic Pump Shut-Off System
- Drain Disablement device or system, or
- Other Systems that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approves.
3. Grates/covers manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States shall conform to the new federal standard.
Question: Who is the responsible organization for enforcement of this federal law?
Answer: The Consumer Product Safety Commission is the authorized enforcement agency.
Question: Will public pools and spas have to meet Florida Rules too?
Answer: Yes, the federal Act does not change Florida rule requirements.
Question: What does this mean for Florida Public Pools/Spas?
Answer: All Florida swimming pools and spas will be required to replace the existing main drain grate/cover. Florida's newer public pools (since 1977), and spas (since 1993), built with gravity drainage to a collector tank would only need to replace the main drain grate/cover to comply with this Act. This is about 80% of all the pools in Florida. Some older spas were built with a suction-limiting vent system with a tamper resistant atmospheric opening. These facilities, also, will only need to replace their main drain grate/cover to be in compliance with the federal Act. The older direct suction pools and spas would need to replace the main drain grate/cover and provide suction mitigation as mentioned above. There are about 7,000 pools and spas that will require both modifications to be in compliance with the federal Act.
Question: What modifications are required for direct suction pools in Florida?
Answer: Direct suction pools will have to comply with the federal Act which requires replacement of the grate/cover to meet the ASME/ANSI standard and mitigation of the suction entrapment hazard. Although there are six options allowed under the federal Act for entrapment mitigation, Florida rules have required gravity drain systems for pools since 1977 and since 1993 for spas. Older Florida pools and spas that require modifications to meet the federal Act are encouraged to retrofit to the current Florida rules requiring a gravity drain system with collector tank.
Question: Does an existing direct suction pool in Florida have to be modified to have a gravity drain system with collector tank only, or are there other options?
Answer: An owner may choose to install one of the suction entrapment mitigation federal Act-listed devices at their option, at this time, to be in compliance with the federal Act. If the pool/spa is modified with a gravity drain system with collector tank, then this modification will require a DOH modification permit. Any other federal Act-listed device may be installed into the pool /spa recirculation system without CHD approval or involvement since they are not allowed or approved by Florida's pool code.
Question: What are the concerns in meeting both the Federal Act and Florida Rule with respect to grate/cover replacement since this is required for all pools and spas?
Answer: The first concern is availability of grates/covers that meet the Federal Standard and Chapter 64E-9, Florida Administrative Code. At present, there are few, if any, drain grates/covers on the market that meet the federal standard and Florida's rule.
The second concern is that gravity drained pool grates/covers require an engineered minimum amount of open area to provide adequate water flow to the collector tank, when gravity alone creates the flow through the main drain grate, for the pool treatment system to function properly. Florida's Rule also restricts the velocity of the water through the grate/cover to no greater than 1.5 feet per second (fps). With the limited hydraulic force available by gravity drainage through the open area, water must pass through the grate at sufficient quantity to feed the design capacity of the collector tank and pump. Otherwise there will be a malfunction of the water treatment system.
Question: What is Department of Health (DOH) doing about these gravity drain concerns so that proper grates/covers can be installed?
Answer: DOH has alerted many grate/cover manufacturers to the concerns so that grates/covers can be manufactured with adequate open area while also meeting the new ASME/ANSI standard.
DOH will post the list of main drain grates/covers on its Web page with make, model, open area and maximum flow for those that meet the federal law and state rules, as they become known. See Florida Department of Health - Approved main drain cover list. (PDF)
Question: What about the grates/covers for the older direct suction pools and spas?
Answer: There are many grates/covers on the market now that are federally approved and can be used now. The grate/cover installed need to be rated for the design flow of the recirculation and hydrotherapy system in place at 1.5 fps velocity.
Question: What is the approval process in Florida for a simple grate/cover replacement?
Answer: The contractor or owner must submit a contractor signed statement to the County Health Department (CHD) or Regional engineer that they have replaced the grate/cover to be in compliance with the 2007 ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 standard, and that it meets Florida rule requirements. The statement must include the name of the manufacturer, the model of the grate/cover installed, the open area of the grate, and that they have installed it as specified by the manufacturer. If the grate/cover complies with the Florida requirements, an acknowledgement letter will be issued to the owner that says they have complied with the state rule. This applies for direct suction and gravity drained facilities.
Question: Who can perform the work?
Answer: Only a Florida licensed pool contractor.
Question: What happens if a grate/cover is replaced that does not meet both federal standard and Florida rules?
Answer: Where a problem with the grate/ cover open area vs. flow or velocity is discovered, a pool inspection form will be completed by the CHD as unsatisfactory and require a pool closure until corrected.
If the model used is not certified under the ASME/ANSI standard but meets State rules, DOH will not provide an inspection form since this is not a Florida rule violation at this time, however, a letter stating that the grate/ cover does not meet the ASME/ANSI standard may be issued to the owner as a courtesy. CPSC has the enforcement authority in this situation.
Question: What is the approval process if modifications to the pool/spa are more extensive than a simple grate/cover replacement?
Answer: Where the simple replacement of a new drain grate/cover cannot be achieved, the pool owner shall apply for a modification permit to the CHD or Regional engineering office on the current modification forms with engineering documents, and the fee.
Field certification by a professional engineer is allowed in the ASME/ANSI standard as well. For additional information on this procedure, please review the federal Act referenced standard and discuss your situation with a Florida licensed professional engineer.
Question: What is DOH doing about the differences between its rules and the federal Act so that an owner has one set of rules to follow?
Answer: The Florida public swimming pool code, Chapter 64E-9, FAC Revision 7 (PDF), is currently under revision, and DOH has proposed to require phased-in gravity drain retrofitting during the next one to five years, based on risk. All older pools and spas with suction main drains would be required to be modified to gravity drainage with a collector tank system. If the Code is promulgated as drafted, Florida will only allow the use of gravity drains with collector tanks to mitigate suction entrapment on older pools and spas.
Section 1405 of the VGB Act specifies that the CPSC shall establish a grant program during the fiscal years of 2009 and 2010 for States to be able to provide for enforcement and education about the Act. At present, this has not been funded by Congress. To be eligible for a grant, a State must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission (CPSC) that it has a State statute, or that, after the date of enactment of this Act, it has enacted a statute, or amended an existing statute, and provides for the enforcement of, a law that--(A) except as provided in section 1406(a)(1)(A)(i), applies to all swimming pools in the State; and (B) meets the minimum State law requirements of section 1406.
SEC. 1406. MINIMUM STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS.
- IN GENERAL.-
- SAFETY STANDARDS.-A State meets the minimum State law requirements of this section if-
- the State requires by statute-
- the enclosure of all outdoor residential pools and spas by barriers to entry that will effectively prevent small children from gaining unsupervised and unfettered access to the pool or spa;
- that all pools and spas be equipped with devices and systems designed to prevent entrapment by pool or spa drains;
- that pools and spas built more than 1 year after the date of the enactment of such statute have-
- more than 1 drain;
- 1 or more unblockable drains; or
- no main drain;
- every swimming pool and spa that has a main drain, other than an unblockable drain, be equipped with a drain cover that meets the consumer product safety standard established by section 1404; and
- that periodic notification is provided to owners of residential swimming pools or spas about compliance with the entrapment protection standards of the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard, or any successor standard; and
- the State meets such additional State law requirements for pools and spas as the Commission may establish after public notice and a 30-day public comment period.
- NO LIABILITY INFERENCE ASSOCIATED WITH STATE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.-The minimum State law notification requirement under paragraph (1)(A)(v) shall not be construed to imply any liability on the part of a State related to that requirement.
- USE OF MINIMUM STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS.-The Commission-
- shall use the minimum State law requirements under paragraph (1) solely for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a State for a grant under section 1405 of this Act; and
- may not enforce any requirement under paragraph (1) except for the purpose of determining the eligibility of a State for a grant under section 1405 of this Act.
- REQUIREMENTS TO REFLECT NATIONAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND COMMISSION GUIDELINES.-In establishing minimum State law requirements under paragraph (1), the Commission shall-
- consider current or revised national performance standards on pool and spa barrier protection and entrapment prevention; and
- ensure that any such requirements are consistent with the guidelines contained in the Commission's publication 362, entitled "Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools", the Commission's publication entitled "Guidelines for Entrapment Hazards: Making Pools and Spas Safer", and any other pool safety guidelines established by the Commission.
- STANDARDS.-Nothing in this section prevents the Commission from promulgating standards regulating pool and spa safety or from relying on an applicable national performance standard.
- BASIC ACCESS-RELATED SAFETY DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED.-In establishing minimum State law requirements for swimming pools and spas under subsection (a)(1), the Commission shall consider the following requirements:
- COVERS.-A safety pool cover.
- GATES.-A gate with direct access to the swimming pool or spa that is equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device.
- DOORS.-Any door with direct access to the swimming pool or spa that is equipped with an audible alert device or alarm which sounds when the door is opened.
- POOL ALARM.-A device designed to provide rapid detection of an entry into the water of a swimming pool or spa.
- ENTRAPMENT, ENTANGLEMENT, AND EVISCERATION PREVENTION STANDARDS TO BE REQUIRED.-
- IN GENERAL.-In establishing additional minimum State law requirements for swimming pools and spas under subsection (a)(1), the Commission shall require, at a minimum, 1 or more of the following (except for pools constructed without a single main drain):
- SAFETY VACUUM RELEASE SYSTEM.-A safety vacuum release system which ceases operation of the pump, reverses the circulation flow, or otherwise provides a vacuum release at a suction outlet when a blockage is detected, that has been tested by an independent third party and found to conform to ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17 or ASTM standard F2387, or any successor standard.
- SUCTION-LIMITING VENT SYSTEM.-A suction-limiting vent system with a tamper-resistant atmospheric opening.
- GRAVITY DRAINAGE SYSTEM.-A gravity drainage system that utilizes a collector tank.
- AUTOMATIC PUMP SHUT-OFF SYSTEM.-An automatic pump shut-off system.
- DRAIN DISABLEMENT.-A device or system that disables the drain.
- OTHER SYSTEMS.-Any other system determined by the Commission to be equally effective as, or better than, the systems described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of this paragraph at preventing or eliminating the risk of injury or death associated with pool drainage systems.
- APPLICABLE STANDARDS.-Any device or system described in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of paragraph (1) shall meet the requirements of any ASME/ANSI or ASTM performance standard if there is such a standard for such a device or system, or any applicable consumer product safety standard.
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