NAA/NMHC Comment on Revised Pool Safety Rules

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

On December 12, NAA/NMHC submitted comments to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) on its plan to revoke their interpretive rule on “unblockable drains” for purposes of complying with the requirements of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGBA).   As a result of this action, pool owners and operators who followed this earlier interpretation may now face additional compliance obligations. 

The CPSC sought public input on the feasibility of pools coming into compliance with the revised interpretation by May 28, 2012.  NAA/NMHC’s comments highlighted our industry’s frustrations over the Act’s broader compliance issues, i.e. those associated with the initial drain cover requirements, a subsequent manufacturer recall of May 2011 and the lack of guidance from the CPSC. 

We asked the CPSC to establish a system for responding to inquiries about proposed system designs to aid in compliance.  We also requested that the CPSC monitor and evaluate owner/operator progress in coming compliant with the new requirements and consider amending the enforcement date accordingly.  More information and our comments are available here.