Drain Cover Recall!

[JohnT]

http://www.apsp.org/Public/Safety/DrainCoverRecall/index.cfm?parentObject=&SAVersion=401&ndrx=99

"Consumers with one of these drain covers in their pool or spa, and builders, installers or service companies who have installed any of these drain covers should refer to the manufacturer websites below for recall information. The Drain Cover Recall Hotline, at (866) 478-3521, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Go to the web site to read the list. I can't get it to format easily.

 

[JasonLion]

From the drain cover recall FAQ:

How do I know if my pool or inground spa is affected by the recall?

If your pool or spa meet any of the following criteria, they are not the subject of the recall:

• If the drain covers in your pool or in-ground spa were installed before December 2008, your pool or spa is not affected by this recall. All of the drain covers affected by this recall were manufactured or sold after December 19, 2008.If the drain in your pool is a "channel drain"--it is in the shape of a long and narrow rectangle, (typically 3 or 4 inches by 30 or 31 inches or longer)-or is 24" x 24" or larger or 9" x 36" or larger-it is not affected by this recall.Hot tubs (often referred to as portable spas) are not affected by the recall, whether they are free standing, placed in the ground or surrounded by a deck[/*:m:g15ffwcd]
• Swimming pools (as opposed to built in wading (kiddie) pools or in-ground spas) that have more than one drain per pump or a gravity drainage system are not affected by this recall.[/*:m:g15ffwcd]
• If you have a kiddie pool or an in-ground spa or swimming pool with a single drain that has drain covers that were installed after December 2008, the drain covers are subject to the recall:[/*:m:g15ffwcd]
• A kiddie or wading pool is generally found at public facilities. It is a permanent built in fixture, with its own separate circulation system and a maximum depth of 18-24 inches[/*:m:g15ffwcd]
• An inground spa is a permanent, non factory built structure, typically with a concrete or vinyl bottom, with several return jets.[/*:m:g15ffwcd]

To summarize, if your drain covers were installed after December 2008, and:

• if you have an in ground spa, or[/*:m:g15ffwcd]
• if you have a wading (kiddie) pool, or[/*:m:g15ffwcd]
• your pool has only one drain, and that drain is not a long channel drain,[/*:m:g15ffwcd]

you may need to participate in this recall and should take further action to ensure your pool or in-ground spa is in compliance.

 

[racket]

This by far is the oddest recall of a product I have ever seen.

"Except for kiddie/wading pools and in-ground spas, retrofit or replacement of installed
covers is not required in pools with multiple drain systems or gravity drainage systems or
for covers installed before December 19, 2008."


So it makes it safer if it's installed before 2009?

 

[JasonLion]

It is quite a circus. This article has some good hints on what some of the politics behind the scenes are.

Before December 2008 the drain cover isn't covered by the law, so they have no authority to recall them. That doesn't mean older covers are safe, or dangerous, just that the law doesn't apply.

 

[goyom]

Here are some links I found with photos/model numbers to help see if your drain covers are in the recall.
I didn't want to swim down and unscrew one without having an idea first. Sure enough mine are in the recall.

cpsc.gov site with sample photos.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11230.html

A&A manufacturing
http://www.aamfg.com/pdrDrain.php

Aquastar
http://www.aquastarpoolproducts.com/recalled-products.html

Color Match
http://www.poolfittings.com/recalled_models.htm

CMP
http://www.c-m-p.com/DrainCoverRecall2.htm

Hayward (PDF download with photos)
http://www.hayward-pool.com/pdf/Hayward-Pool-And-Spa-Replacement-Drain-Cover-Information.pdf

Pentair
http://www.pentairpool.com/pool-owner/safety-warnings/recall-drain-cover.htm

Rising Dragon
http://www.risingdragonplastics.com/en/draincoverrecall.html

Hope that helps.

 

[racket]

Sadly I get the feeling that we are going to have to float $30k-$40k for drain covers for this recall.

 

[spillmar]

Which drain covers are recommended at this juncture?

 

[JasonLion]

Anything still on sale at this point is supposedly fine. Just about every manufacturer had problems, so there isn't any specific brand to avoid or prefer.

 

[cya_sux]

From the drain cover recall FAQ:

How do I know if my pool or inground spa is affected by the recall?

If your pool or spa meet any of the following criteria, they are not the subject of the recall:

• Swimming pools (as opposed to built in wading (kiddie) pools or in-ground spas) that have more than one drain per pump or a gravity drainage system are not affected by this recall.[/*:m:28wu9cnp]

you may need to participate in this recall and should take further action to ensure your pool or in-ground spa is in compliance.

Do you think 'gravity drainage system' refers to a suction-based DE filter system and/or balance/atmospheric tanks? If not, all of the commercial pools that I service are going to need new drain covers :grrrr: .

 

[JasonLion]

If the pool is connected to a balance/surge tank that is open to the air, and the pump draws from the tank, instead of directly from the pool, then you are fine. If the pump draws directly from the pool, you need to look into replacing drain covers.

 

[cadillac]

Anything still on sale at this point is supposedly fine. Just about every manufacturer had problems, so there isn't any specific brand to avoid or prefer.

Yeah, it was the way the testing was done that was wrong. All the manufactures designed covers to pass the tests, but he tests themselves were wrong.

 

[Red]

I understand if you have split drains they need to be 36 inches apart. Is this center to center separation or must there be a 36 inch separation between the edges?

 

[JasonLion]

Dual drains that are three feet or more apart center to center are fine.