VGBA Safety Drains
Since December 2008 the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act has required all drains sold in the US, and thus installed in new pools, to be VGBA compliant. These are safety drain covers that prevent anyone from being sucked onto the drain and entrapped. They are mandatory primary safety devices that should be installed on all new pools.
VGBA compliant drains either have two round intakes spaced at least 36" apart, a large square drain, or a wide horizontal drain. VGBA intakes can be placed on the pool floor or on a wall.
For more on Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act you can read...
VGB Drain Check Safety Checklist
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act)FAQ
Summary Analysis of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
For more on pool safety you can read...
Layers of Protection Start with You.
SVRS Pumps
The pool industry also pushes a safety vacuum release system (SVRS) in their more complicated and expensive pumps as a secondary safety system. The problem is the sensor will false alarm and shutdown your pump unexpectedly. It may be hours or days before you notice it. So if you get the pump understand it needs to be checked on quite often to make sure it is working properly. It is best to skip these kinds of pumps.
The laws and codes are not always clear and builders will often just go with the most restrictive rules just to be safe. Trying to even find a clear explanation of what's required for each local authority is ridiculously difficult.There's a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding.
We do not recommend a pump with SVRS due to how problematic they are. If you have dual drains and proper covers, there is no benefit to SVRV on a pump. If you have a single drain, make sure that the cover is a listed approved cover and never run the pump on 100% main drain. Teach everyone that the drain is not something to play with.
Even though most VGB rules only apply to commercial pools, many locations have adopted some of the requirements for residential pools. The important thing is to know and follow the local rules.
There are other SVRS systems available if they are required that will probably be less trouble than SVRS in a pump.
