Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGBA)
Ramaker & Associates is offering pool and spa owners engineering services for compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. We understand compliance services have been an unbudgeted expense and are working with owners to provide the most economical solutions for their pools and spas.
Ramaker & Associates has been providing pool design in Wisconsin since 1992, and we are very familiar with the Wisconsin pool codes and the Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA) requirements. Our staff has assisted hundreds of pool owners with VGBA compliance since December 2008. We evaluate each pool and spa individually and will determine the best compliance option for the pool or spa. Some pools may not need any alterations to be compliant, some may only need to install new drain covers, and worst case scenario, some will require installation of a complete new drain system.
Following are Ramaker & Associates' steps towards compliance:
Initial On-site Inspection Services Ramaker & Associates will have a field technician perform an initial on-site inspection to determine the existing suction outlet, sump and equipment conditions.
VGBA Assessment Report. Based on the information gathered during the initial on-site inspection, Ramaker & Associates will determine the scope of construction required to address VGBA and provide a summary report of the inspection findings and recommendations for Client review and approval prior to construction plan development.
Design Services. Design documents and construction plans will be developed showing changes needed for compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act and State of Wisconsin Comm 90 Pool Code. Ramaker & Associates will submit these design documents to the State of Wisconsin for review and conditional approval. A copy of the Conditionally Approved plans will be provided to the owner.
Upon direction from the owner/operator, Ramaker & Associates will forward the pool construction plans to a pool contractor of the owner's choice for a proposal and scheduling of the work. If the owner does not have a preferred pool contractor, Ramaker & Associates is happy to assist the owner in finding quality contractors in their area.
Construction Inspection Services. Upon completion of construction, Ramaker & Associates will perform a final inspection to confirm that the construction has been completed in substantial compliance with the State approved plans and will submit a Public Swimming Pools Compliance Statement to the State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
Contact us at 800-332-7532 for more information about how we can help you!
Below are informational links for aquatic facility owners. Please note that Ramaker & Associates does not endorse the opinions expressed in the links below, but is providing the links as a resource to all the available information for aquatic facility owners.
State of Wisconsin Information
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (VGBA)
December 2009: The Wisconsin Department of Commerce has issued a new emergency rule for plan review fees related to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act that went into effect on January 1, 2010. This emergency rule reduces the amount of fees collected for plan reviews and related inspections. Call us at 800-332-7532 to find out what this means for you! For more information, visit the Department of Commerce's website. *New link 12/31/2009*
December 2, 2009: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a letter about Virginia Graeme Baker Act Enforcement, stating deadlines for compliance with the Act. Click here to view a PDF of this letter.*Updated link 12/17/2009*
Click here for the Wisconsin Dept. of Commerce's June 9, 2009 revised alternate pool approval for existing pools.
Click here for the Comm 90 Public Swimming Pools and Water Attractions Code (February 2009) and here for the Appendix.
Click here for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce Safety & Buildings Public Swimming Pools Program information.
Other Recent Changes in Wisconsin Laws
Waterslide Structural Inspections
The Wisconsin Public Pool and Water Attractions Health Code DHS 172 was revised in 2007 to require inspection of waterslide structural components once every five years by a professional engineer. A copy of the inspection report, signed by the engineer, must be kept onsite.
Click here to review the current DHS 172 (February 2009) code. See DHS 172.37(2)(c) regarding waterslide inspections.
Lifeguard Staffing
Existing and future pools with play features that are greater than 6 feet in height and
10 feet in width may now be required to have lifeguards. Recent code changes and interpretations by the WI Department of Health and Commerce may force the addition of lifeguard staff where none were required in the past. The results of these interpretations can significantly increase your operation costs and liability.
State of Illinois Pool Information
May 28, 2009: The Illinois Department of Public Health issued a letter regarding emergency amendments to the Illinois Swimming Pool and Bathing Beach Code. Click here to view this letter in PDF format. Click here to view the emergency amendments.
August 26, 2008: Click here for the Illinois Dept. of Public Health memo regarding the VGBA.
State of Iowa Pool Information
July 8, 2009: Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 15, "Swimming Pools and Spas" has been amended, effective July 8, 2009. Click here to view the amended code.
February 2009: "The Recirculator" newsletter published by Iowa's Department of Public Health discusses the VGBA. Click here to view the entire newsletter.
Click here to go to the Iowa Bureau of Environmental Health Services web page that details information about swimming pool construction as well as VGBA information.
State of Michigan Pool Information
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Pool Main Drain Cover Replacement Form. This form is used to determine if a proposed set of replacement suction fittings will meet the requirements of the Public Swimming Pool Rules, specifically R 325.2142 (Rule 42). Rule 42 requires main drains and other outlet covers to have a total open area sufficient to assure flow velocities of not more than 1 foot per second.
July 17, 2008: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality FAQ regarding VGBA.
Click here to view the Michigan Public Act and Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools.
State of Minnesota Pool Information
July 2009: The Minnesota Department of Health website gives details about pool inspections and their increased fees for swimming pool plan reviews. Click here for more information.
January 15, 2009: The following Abigail Taylor Pool Safety Act Report to the Minnesota Legislature was released by the Minnesota Department of Health in response to a request from the 2008 Legislature to provide information in regard to the Abigail Taylor Pool Safety Act.
Excerpt from the Abigail Taylor Pool Safety Act Report to the Minnesota Legislature:
"On June 29, 2007, Abigail Taylor suffered serious injuries at the Minneapolis Golf Club (MGC) pool in St. Louis Park that eventually led to her death. The six-year old was injured when she sat on an open drain in the wading pool; the heavy suction at the drain caused her intestinal tract to be partially removed. . . . In response to this incident, a new law [Abigail Taylor Pool Safety Act] regulating the installation of anti-entrapment drain covers and other systems to ensure children or others cannot become trapped by pool drains was passed by the Minnesota Legislature and signed into law by the Governor Tim Pawlenty on May 16, 2008."
CPSC and General VGBA Information
CPSC VGBA Information
July 7, 2009: The CPSC issued a letter to IAAPA regarding which waterpark attractions were within or outside the scope of the VGBA, based on information provided by the waterpark industry. Click here to view the CPSC's official position on waterslides.
Spring 2009: The CPSC added a website with more information about the VGBA, new FAQs, and an updated list of certified manufacturers of drain covers and SVRSs. Click here to open the page in a new window.
December 15, 2008: Click here to view an email sent out from the CPSC regarding enforcement of the VGBA.
December 2008: Click here for the CPSC Staff's Guide To
Complying With the Law.
October 14, 2008: Click here to view a PDF of the Virginia Graeme Baker Act.
June 18, 2008: Click here for the CPSC's latest interpretations on the VGBA.
VGBA Articles and Videos
August 29, 2009: The Capital Times published an article titled, "A drain on resources" which discusses the obstacles for pool owners to comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. *New link 9/2/09
February 13, 2008: Article by the Pool & Spa News titled,
"Press Coverage on VGB Causes Concern", explains why recent press coverage of the VGBA is a large concern for the pool industry.
