The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act) was enacted by Congress and signed by President Bush on December 19, 2007. Designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas, the law became effective on December 19, 2008.

Under the law, all public pools and spas must have ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 compliant drain covers installed and a second anti-entrapment system installed, when there is a single main drain other than an unblockable drain.

A Note on The P&SS Act and “Public Pools”

The P&SS Act defines what pools and spas are considered “public” in the United States and covered by the law’s public pool and spa regulations. This law may not be used to to interpret the definition of public accommodations, as set forth in the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA). You can find ADA definitions regarding public accommodations in the article on pool lifts in this section of our website.

The public provisions of the P&SS Act apply to:

• All pools and spas generally open to the public
• Pools open only to residents of apartment buildings, condominium complexes or multifamily residential areas
• Pools and spas open to guests of a hotel or resort
• Government pool facilities