INSTALLER/BUILDER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Developed in Cooperation with CPSC Staff
Recall of Pool and In-Ground Spa Drain Covers
- What is this recall about?
- What information is available with regard to this recall?
- Why is a recall necessary?
- Which manufacturers have drain covers affected by this recall?
- Which models are affected?
- When were these drain covers manufactured and sold?
- What should I if I have any of the recalled drain covers in stock?
- What should I do if I have installed any of these drain covers in pools or spas?
- What pools and spas are subject to this recall?
- What pools and spas are not the subject of the recall, even if they have the affected drain covers?
- How is wading, kiddie pool or in ground spa defined under this recall?
- What should I do about pools or spas that are covered by this recall?
- What is a retrofit?
- Will I be paid for my time and labor for replacing or retrofitting recalled drain covers?
- How do I determine if a drain cover is properly rated for a given pool or spa?
- Are there any reports of injuries associated with the drain covers affected by the recall?
- What should I do about pools and spas that have older or pre "VGB" covers?
- Are drain covers installed in public pools in an effort to be compliant with the VGB prior to the December 19, 2008 effective date included in the recall?
- Are there other steps owners can take to make their pool or spa as safe as possible?
1. What is this recall about?
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with several manufacturers, has announced a voluntary recall of certain pool and in-ground spa suction fittings (drain covers). A replacement or retrofit of these drain covers may be required in certain cases.
2. What information is available with regard to this recall?
The Manufacturer’s Notice to Builders, Installers and Service Professionals can be accessed through this link.
3. Why is a recall necessary?
Some pool and in-ground spa suction fittings (drain covers) were determined by the CPSC to have been incorrectly rated by independent third-party laboratories for protection against body entrapment.
4. Which manufacturers have drain covers affected by this recall?
The drain cover manufacturers whose products are included in this recall are A & A Manufacturing, AquaStar Pool Products, Color Match Pool Fittings, Custom Molded Products, Hayward Pool Products, Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Rising Dragon USA, and Waterway. Other manufacturers’ covers may be included in separate recalls. The covers vary in size and shape, but bear model # markings and manufacturer name.
5. Which models are affected?
Please visit the manufacturers’ individual websites for photos of affected models.
6. When were these drain covers manufactured and sold?
The drain covers in question were manufactured and sold after December 18, 2008. They will either have the “VGB 2008” “ASME” or  logo.
7. What should I if I have any of the recalled drain covers in stock?
THESE DRAIN COVERS CAN NO LONGER BE USED OR INSTALLED. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW TO SELL OR DISTRIBUTE A RECALLED PRODUCT. If you have any of these drain covers in your possession, you must immediately contact the manufacturer or your distributor for instructions on how to return the recalled covers. The manufacturer or distributor will provide you with either replacement models or a full refund.
8. What should I do if I have installed any of these drain covers in pools or spas?
If you have installed any of these drain covers in pools or spas, please continue reading below to learn which covers may need to be replaced or retrofitted.
9. What pools and spas are subject to this recall?
- WADING (KIDDIE) POOLS AND IN GROUND SPAS REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF DRAINS OR ADDITIONAL ANTI-ENTRAPMENT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- Single drain pools with an SVRS, Vent System or Automatic Shut Off Switch
10. What pools and spas are not the subject of the recall, even if they have the affected drain covers?
- Pools or spas with drain covers that were installed before December 2008. All of the drain covers affected by this recall were manufactured or sold after December 19, 2008.
- Pools or spas with unblockable drains. These will be rated and listed by the manufacturer as unblockable and include
o long "channel drains” 3” x 31” or larger.
o Other large drains, typically 24” x 24” or larger.
- Hot tubs (a/k/a portable spas) are not affected by the recall, whether they are free standing, placed in the ground or surrounded by a deck
- Swimming pools (as opposed to built-in wading (kiddie) pools or in-ground spas) that have a multiple main drain system or a gravity drainage system are exempt from this recall.
o Multiple main drain system means 2 or more drains connected to the same pump, spaced at least three (3) feet apart, center to center, which cannot be isolated. Where two drains are connected to separate pumps, they are each considered as single main drain.
11. How is wading, kiddie pool or in ground spa defined under this recall?
- A kiddie or wading pool is defined as a separate pool designed for use by small children with an independent circulation system and a maximum water depth of 18 – 24 inches.
- An in ground spa is a permanent, non factory built hydrotherapy unit (in which the water heating and water circulation equipment is not an integral part of the product).
12. What should I do about pools or spas that are covered by this recall?
If you have installed or are aware of any of these model drain covers installed in pools or spas covered by this recall, you should contact the manufacturer for further instructions. The manufacturer may
- provide you with a free replacement or retrofit to install, or
- send their own authorized personnel to complete the replacement or retrofit
IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU DO NOT REMOVE ANY DRAIN COVER UNTIL YOU ARE IN POSESSION OF A MANUFACTURER APPROVED REPLACEMENT OR RETROFIT.
ALL RETRPOFITS AND REPLACEMENTS MUST BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.
13. What is a retrofit?
In some cases manufacturers have developed a tested and approved insert or other component, which will enable the drain cover to perform as intended. For more information, you should contact the manufacturer directly. The retrofit will come with specific installation instructions.
ALL RETRPOFITS AND REPLACEMENTS MUST BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.
14. Will I be paid for my time and labor for replacing or retrofitting recalled drain covers?
Pool Owners must register with the manufacturer of the recalled drain cover, and, where applicable, have the service performed by the manufacturer's authorized service provider, in order to avoid incurring costs for the replacement or retrofit of recalled covers. Installers will not be reimbursed unless they have been authorized by the manufacturer to perform the replacement or retrofit.
If the drain cover manufacturer does not have their own personnel perform the work, builders, installers and service professionals will be reimbursed by the original cover manufacturer for the reasonable costs incurred as a result of an actual replacement or retrofit, provided that
- The replacement or retrofit was required under the recall,
- The replacement or retrofit was authorized by the manufacturer, and
- You submit a signed and completed DRAIN COVER VERIFICATION FORM (include link to form)
- If the drain cover was replaced, you will also need to return the original cover with the VERIFICATION FORM
15. How do I determine if a drain cover is properly rated for a given pool or spa?
Each drain cover is assigned a rating which determines the maximum flow in gallons per minute (GPM) that should be allowed to flow through that fitting. This rating is based on testing for body entrapment and hair entrapment under the ASME Suction Fitting Standard. The rating for each drain cover must equal or exceed the rating for the pump/pool or spa circulation system.
VERY IMPORTANT: The ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins includes a variety of tools to assist in the proper evaluation of maximum flow rates, including Appendix B of the Standard. There is a Field Checklist that is also very helpful in identifying other important aspects of suction outlet safety, including fasteners, sumps and drain spacing. The Standard and the Field Checklist are available at www.apsp.org.
The APSP reminds all pool and spa professionals, as well as owners and operators of public and residential pools, that drain covers must be installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions, including fastening, spacing, and GPM rating. The ANSI/APSP-7 Standard can readily assist in this process, and ensure the proper evaluation and verification of drain covers matched correctly to the maximum system flow rates.
16. Are there any reports of injuries associated with the drain covers affected by the recall?
No, neither the Consumer Product Safety Commission nor the drain cover manufacturers are aware of any reports of injuries associated with the use of these drain covers.
17. What should I do about pools and spas that have older or pre “VGB” covers?
Public facilities with older or pre-VGB covers are in violation of Federal Law, and the APSP and CPSC urge you to advise them accordingly. There are numerous makes and models available to install on these pools and spas to bring them into compliance.
While replacement of older or pre-VGB drain covers in residential pools is not required by law or by this recall, we also urge you to speak with owners of these pools and spas and to recommend that they replace their old drain covers.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COSTS INCURRED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF OLDER DRAIN COVERS WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POOL OWNER OR OPERATOR AND WILL NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DRAIN COVER MANUFACTURER .
18. Are drain covers installed in public pools in an effort to be compliant with the VGB prior to the December 19, 2008 effective date included in the recall?
Yes, provided that the drain cover is one of the models which has been recalled, and the pool type or configuration falls within the scope of the recall (a wading/kiddie pool, in-ground spa, or single drain pool that does not have a gravity drainage system).
19. Are there other steps owners can take to make their pool or spa as safe as possible?
Yes. Pool and spa bathers always need to practice basic and simple safety measures,
- Never use a pool or spa that has a broken or missing drain cover
- Never allow any bathers to play with or swim next to a drain cover
- Always make sure children are under constant adult supervision whenever they are in or around a pool, spa or any body of water
The APSP and CPSC offer several important brochures which you can and should provide to your customers including the APSP “Sensible Way to Enjoy Your Pool” brochure and “Be Safety Aware.” For more information go to www.poolsafely.gov and apsp.org.
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