Pool update NSPF

[Barry Adair]

You're receiving this email because of your relationship with the National Swimming Pool Foundation.

Issue 1, March 2008

Quick Hits
Every seminar from the 2007 World Aquatic Health™ Conference is now available through the NSPF® Online Shopping Cart, including three videos you can watch for FREE!
Click here!

The CDC has recently updated the Fecal Accident Response Recommendations for Pool Staff.
Download the new PDF here.

Introducing the Aquatic Play Feature™ Handbook!
Click here!

Pool & Spa Safety Act

The United States Congress has passed, and President Bush has signed, a new law requiring safety improvements at EVERY PUBLIC POOL and SPA. The full text of the law is posted at www.nspf.org/Documents/HR6_TitleXIV.pdf.

The most important items that service companies, operators, and managers need to know and act on before December 19, 2008 are listed below:

1. <LI class=bodytext>Inspect and replace all drain covers with anti-entrapment covers that have “ASME/ANSI A112.19.8.2” and the “Maximum Flow Rate” stenciled on the cover, demonstrating that the cover complies with the standard and the federal law. <LI class=bodytext>All drain covers must comply with this standard. Only anti-entrapment covers will be allowed in commerce from that date. <LI class=bodytext>If there are any single drains directly linked to suction, plan to renovate to have hydraulically-balanced dual drains spaced at least 3 feet apart. Alternatively, consider renovating the hydraulic system to remove all direct suction using gravity systems. <LI class=bodytext>Any pool or spa that has a single main drain will have to have an additional level of protection installed and operational. The additional levels of protection may include one of the options listed below:
   1. Safety vacuum release system<LI class=bodytext>Suction-limiting vent system <LI class=bodytext>Gravity drainage system <LI class=bodytext>Automatic pump shut off system
   2. Drain disablement
   3. Other systems approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

At this time, all aspects of the law are not clearly defined. The law does allow “unblockable drains” in some cases; however, this term is not defined. Another area of ambiguity is how states and the federal government will enforce this law. There may be conflicts between the federal law and local laws. NSPF® will continue to explore clarification on these issues. The CPSC has agreed to send a representative to the World Aquatic Health™ Conference (October 15-17, 2008, Colorado Springs, CO) to clarify the law.
Every aquatic facility should work to comply with federal law. Where facility equipment changes or renovations must be approved locally, comply with local/state laws and gain appropriate approvals to change drain covers, add dual drains, etc. Be sure to verify that compliance with the federal law does not conflict with local health codes or regulations.
Brief Summary of the Law:

The law has five sections.

1. <LI class=bodytext>The first one is entitled The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. <LI class=bodytext>The second section briefly describes the intent of the law is to reduce suction entrapment and drowning. <LI class=bodytext>The third section defines terms in the law. <LI class=bodytext>The fourth section is the most important section for people who operate and manage pools to understand. Section four (1404) of the law is relatively simple. Each operator and facility manager should read this section rather than relying on other people’s interpretations. The key points are summarized above.
2. The fifth section of the law (1405) is important for health officials. It also describes a grant program to encourage states to adopt additional laws to prevent drowning and entrapment.

This newsletter is a monthly communication to professionals in the pool and spa industry from
the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®). The NSPF® is a non-profit organization
founded in 1965, committed to improving public health by encouraging healthier living through
aquatic education and research.



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National Swimming Pool Foundation | 4775 Granby Circle | Colorado Springs | CO | 80919

[Barry Adair]

The link provided on the Prevention Advisor Newsletter you received this week mistakenly had a period at the end and, therefore, did not work. Here it is again without the period. Thanks.

www.nspf.org/Documents/HR6_TitleXIV.pdf

[Brian E. Kelly]

Nice Barry, thanx.

[Barry Adair]

You're receiving this email because of your relationship with National Swimming Pool Foundation. If you are having trouble reading this eNewsletter or to view archived issues, go to www.nspf.org/PreventionAdvisor.html to download or print a PDF version.

Issue 3, May 2008




Quick Hits
New @ ePro: Indoor Air Quality Online Training Course, including a section on the ASHRAE standards for air quality.
Click here for more!

Registration is
now open for the 2008 World
Aquatic Health™ Conference in Colorado Springs! Take advantage of early registration (until June 2nd) discounts and sign up today!
Click here!

Introducing the Aquatic Play Feature™ Handbook!
Click here!





Voluntary Hyperventilation and Extended Breath-Holding

Operators and managers can play a role in reducing risk and danger when they share information about hazards with managers, lifeguards, coaches, and even the general public to help prevent drowning caused when pool users pass out and drown.
Some swimmers mistakenly think that by taking a series of deep breaths in rapid succession (hyperventilating) and forcefully exhaling, they can increase the amount of oxygen they breathe, allowing them to hold their breath longer underwater. This is not true. Instead, it lowers the carbon dioxide level in the body. Even highly skilled swimmers can pass out in the water and drown from this practice.
The practice of voluntarily hyperventilating followed by underwater swimming or holding one's breath for extended periods of time is dangerous. Whether used in competitive swimming, or just in recreational play, it can and has led to death.
Background
Swimmers who practice prolonged underwater breath-holding are particularly at risk of Shallow Water Blackout (SWB). Shallow water blackout results from an insufficient amount of carbon dioxide to activate the body's natural impulse to breathe.
By rapidly breathing deeply prior to submersion (hyperventilation), swimmers exhale an excessive amount of carbon dioxide. When the oxygen level in the blood runs low before the carbon dioxide level rises to the point that triggers the breathing reflex, the swimmer loses consciousness. The swimmer never actually feels as though a breath is needed.
Anyone who practices competitive, repetitive underwater breath-holding is at risk for Shallow Water Blackout. Once submerged underwater, the swimmer may be hidden from the view of lifeguards by surface glare and ripples/waves on the surface. A series of events is then triggered, including the inhalation of water, possible convulsions and ultimately cardiac arrest and death.

The American Red Cross published these comments in a recent newsletter on this topic:
"As an industry, we must increase awareness among lifeguards, swim instructors and aquatic facility managers that the typical swimmer at-risk of injury or death from hyperventilation during swimming isn't necessarily the weak swimmer or non-swimmer who is normally identified as someone needing extra attention," said Greg Stockton, manager, aquatic sales for American Red Cross national headquarters. "These victims are typically skilled or highly skilled swimmers."

"Although extended breath-holding used to seem like a child's innocent pool game, the aquatic community is quickly learning that this is no laughing matter. It is a growing safety hazard that aquatic safety personnel need to be able to identify, prevent and respond to in an appropriate manner," he added.
Operators and facility management should consider ways they can help prevent breath holding at their facility. Sharing the information in this Advisor with lifeguards, managers, and coaches is one way to get the message out to the personnel who can watch for it. Another way is to share it with facility visitors. Please consider how your facility can help prevent drowning caused when people hyperventilate and then hold their breath underwater.



This newsletter is a monthly communication to professionals in the pool and spa industry from
the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®). The NSPF® is a non-profit organization
founded in 1965, committed to improving public health by encouraging healthier living through
aquatic education and research.

[Barry Adair]

Issue 4, June 2008

Quick Hits
New @ nspf.org:
A bilingual twin to the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) website is now available at www.nspf.org/espanol

_________________

Registration is
now open for the 2008 World
Aquatic Health™ Conference in Colorado Springs! Take advantage of early registration discounts and sign up today!
Click here!

_________________

Introducing the Aquatic Play Feature™ Handbook!
Click here!

Flood, Hurricane, Seasonal Closure, and other Catastrophic Circumstances

Swimming pools and spas often are substantially contaminated due to catastrophic events like flooding, prolonged closure, and storm run off. The process the facility must go through to have the facility operational and the water sanitary depends on many circumstances. As a result, there is not one procedure that makes sense for every facility under every set of circumstances. This prevention advisor provides some guidance on several important areas to address when a pool or spa has experienced a catastrophic event and must be cleaned and prepared for use again.
A swimming pool or spa that experiences a catastrophic event needs to be rehabilitated before it can be used again. The facility needs to be isolated and appropriate barriers must be put in place to prevent accidental drowning. Next, the facility must be inspected to better understand any issues and the rehabilitation strategy. The water must be treated and circulated to reduce the risk of the becoming a breading ground for mosquitoes and becoming a vector for mosquito-borne diseases. Stagnant water also can breed algae and bacteria, which can further contaminate the plumbing and filter systems once they are turned on. Ideally, all debris, dirt, slime, etc. should be removed from the pool. Next, the system should be decontaminated/disinfected. Water should be replaced with potable (drinking) water and normal water treatment operations should commence. Finally, operators should review a start up checklist and inspection to make sure the facility is ready for use. Each of these steps faces some challenges after a catastrophic event.
To learn more about the four key steps to rehabilitate a pool after a catastrophic event, a more comprehensive document can be downloaded at www.nspf.org.

[Barry Adair]

Issue 5, July 2008

Quick Hits
New @ nspf.org:
A bilingual twin to the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) website is now available at www.nspf.org/espanol

_________________

Registration is
now open for the 2008 World
Aquatic Health™ Conference in Colorado Springs! Take advantage of early registration discounts and sign up today!
Click here!

_________________

Electrical Safety Work Practices and Standards (NFPA 70E) online training course. Features a section on Article 680 of the NFPA code for swimming pools and spas. Click here!

Seven Tips for Safer Swimming

The Centers for Disease Control and many state and local health departments are encouraging pool patrons to be proactive about recreational water illness and safety at the pools they visit. Pool operators should be aware that these announcements are going out to the public and should be prepared to address the patron's questions. If you welcome the inquiries, you have an opportunity to show your knowledge (by showing your certificate, daily log charts, posted signage, etc). Above is an example of what consumers are receiving. The consumer document can be downloaded at www.nspf.org. Familiarizing yourself with these consumer tips will prepare you for the "activist swimmer" when they visit your pool.

[Barry Adair]

You're receiving this email because of your relationship with National Swimming Pool Foundation. If you are having trouble reading this eNewsletter or to view archived issues, go to www.nspf.org/PreventionAdvisor.html to download or print a PDF version.

Issue 6, August 2008

Quick Hits
New @ nspf.org:
A bilingual twin to the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) website is now available at www.nspf.org/espanol

_________________

Registration is
now open for the 2008 World
Aquatic Health™ Conference in Colorado Springs! Take advantage of early registration discounts and sign up today!
Click here!

_________________

Electrical Safety Work Practices and Standards (NFPA 70E) online training course. Features a section on Article 680 of the NFPA code for swimming pools and spas. Click here!

Federal Pool and Spa Safety Act

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing this act. Compliance checks and recalls that are associated with products are responsibilities of the CPSC.
CPSC is currently working on developing a list of manufacturers of products that are in compliance. NSPF will provide a link to the list once it is made available.
CPSC recognizes three organizations that conduct testing on drain covers and issue certification. As long as a drain cover is approved by one of these three organizations, it complies with the federal law. They are: the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
How will I know which covers comply with the new standard?

Answer: They will have the following embossed or permanently marked in a location that is visible when installed:

• <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
  "ASME A112.19. 8 - 2007"
  <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
  a flow rating "X GPM"
  <LI style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
  "Life: X Years"
• Manufacturer and Model

Also, look for the stamp below to ensure the drain cover meets ASME A112.19.8 - 2007

NSF Approved Drain Covers

Click here to view the drain covers that comply
with the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 - 2007 standard.
NOTE: Be aware that multiple drain covers are listed at this link. Scroll to the fine print below each drain to verify the date. It must say 2007 in order to comply with the Federal law.

UL Approved Drain Covers

As of 8/25/08, UL has not approved any drain covers under the ASME A112.19.8 – 2007 standard.

Click here for the entire H.R. 6 Title XIV
(Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act)

Click here for the latest interpretations on the Pool and Spa Safety Act from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

DISCLAIMER: This information is being provided for informational purposes only so pool and spa operators may become familiar with drain covers that are compliant with the Federal Pool and Spa Act. No endorsement of any specific company or product is implied.

[Barry Adair]

The article on the latest interpretation from the CPSC in the Prevention Advisor you received earlier was incorrectly linked. Please use the link below:
http://nspf.org/Documents/CPSC_Articles/cpscSection1404.pdf

It is also on our home page at www.nspf.org

We apologize for any inconvenience.