- May 3, 2014
- 62,705
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Yes. There should be a cover with a hinged door on that port in the pool. It is an entrapment hazard.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,705
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
If you have no plans to ever use it, you can get a flush plug and screw it into the port.
I believe I used Plug, Vacuum 1 1/2" Cycolac - SP1022B - INYOPools.com
I believe I used Plug, Vacuum 1 1/2" Cycolac - SP1022B - INYOPools.com
Put one of these on it.
www.inyopools.com
Hayward 1.5" MPT Vacuum Lock Safety Fitting, White - W400BWHP - INYOPools.com
W400BWHP - VAC LOCK WG (W400AWHP)
www.inyopools.com
Pinal County looks like it has adopted the International Building Code, which references the International Swimming Pool & Spa Code, which references ANSI/APSP/ICC-7 which is the standard for suction entrapment avoidance. The cover requirement is listed in section 4.8.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,652
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
As you've figured out by now, that port needs the proper safety fitting. You haven't filled in your signature yet, but with all that you've got running I imagine you've got a big pump. There is certainly an entrapment risk, but it can be even worse. That port, right at chest/belly level where it is, along with a 3HP pump has enough force to eviscerate someone. You shouldn't let anyone in that pool until the port is corrected.
Then physically disconnect the wiring that runs that valve. I'm with you, there's no need to automate that port, at least not with your current setup.
I have a similar suction port, for my vacuum. It is automated, but I use multiple safeguards:
- I have the proper safety fitting, and I inspect it regularly.
- The vacuum feature is scheduled for 4:30am, so no one is in the pool when that port is active and the cleaner is running. But like you, I had a concern that the port could somehow get activated inadvertently. So I added some additional safeguards:
- My automated valve is a three-way that balances the suction between my skimmer and the vacuum port. In skimmer mode, the vacuum port is 100% closed. But in vacuum mode the skimmer is still active (I think I set the three-way to about 70% vacuum and 30% skimmer). So the vacuum port never has 100% suction from the pump. This somewhat simulates the safety feature now required for active suction ports that splits the suction between two sources (like why there are always now two drains built into a pool). This is so should someone seal one port with their body or hair, the suction is released by the other port. My 70/30 setup is arguably not as safe as a 50/50 split, but it's certainly better than closing off the skimmer entirely and allowing 100% suction from the vacuum port.
- A vacuum hose/head connected to a suction port just moves the danger "up stream," as now there is an open suction port in the vacuum head, lurking somewhere in the pool. I'll swim with the vacuum hose connected to the port, but whenever anyone else is in the pool, I remove the hose completely from the pool and make sure the spring loaded safety flap is closed.
Then physically disconnect the wiring that runs that valve. I'm with you, there's no need to automate that port, at least not with your current setup.
I have a similar suction port, for my vacuum. It is automated, but I use multiple safeguards:
- I have the proper safety fitting, and I inspect it regularly.
- The vacuum feature is scheduled for 4:30am, so no one is in the pool when that port is active and the cleaner is running. But like you, I had a concern that the port could somehow get activated inadvertently. So I added some additional safeguards:
- My automated valve is a three-way that balances the suction between my skimmer and the vacuum port. In skimmer mode, the vacuum port is 100% closed. But in vacuum mode the skimmer is still active (I think I set the three-way to about 70% vacuum and 30% skimmer). So the vacuum port never has 100% suction from the pump. This somewhat simulates the safety feature now required for active suction ports that splits the suction between two sources (like why there are always now two drains built into a pool). This is so should someone seal one port with their body or hair, the suction is released by the other port. My 70/30 setup is arguably not as safe as a 50/50 split, but it's certainly better than closing off the skimmer entirely and allowing 100% suction from the vacuum port.
- A vacuum hose/head connected to a suction port just moves the danger "up stream," as now there is an open suction port in the vacuum head, lurking somewhere in the pool. I'll swim with the vacuum hose connected to the port, but whenever anyone else is in the pool, I remove the hose completely from the pool and make sure the spring loaded safety flap is closed.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 12,652
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
If you find that you're not using that port, you could leave the handle off the valve as another safeguard. Those handles bear an uncanny resemblance to a star drive speed control lever, in case you have any little buck rogers running around...
