Suction Entrapment: How to Recognize and Eliminate Suction Entrapment Hazards from Pools and Spas

Ray Cronise - Trilogy Pools

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August 28, 2008

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Suction Entrapment Avoidance

5 forms of entrapment and conflicting solutions

Review of Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

Highlight some of the easy to recognize Hazards

Close & Questions

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“One of the most dangerous forms of human error is forgetting what one is trying to achieve”

- Paul Nitze

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Suction Entrapment Avoidance

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Hair Entrapment (Entanglement)

Body or Torso Entrapment

Limb Entrapment

Evisceration (Disembowelment)

Mechanical

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Categories were the result of analysis of all reported cases of entrapment to U.S. CPSC

Suction Entrapment Avoidance

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Hair Entrapment (Entanglement)

Body or Torso Entrapment

Limb Entrapment

Evisceration (Disembowelment)

Mechanical

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Not caused by high vacuum - it is flowing water through the cover that causes the hair to knot. Limiting velocity to 1.5 fps is not a guarantee that

this issue is addressed. ASME A112.19.8-2007 standard

Suction Entrapment Avoidance

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Hair Entrapment (Entanglement)

Body or Torso Entrapment

Limb Entrapment

Evisceration (Disembowelment)

Mechanical

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It is both easy to understand and easy to solvemultiple outlets, vacuum breakers, proper covers

Suction Entrapment Avoidance

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Hair Entrapment (Entanglement)

Body or Torso Entrapment

Limb Entrapment

Evisceration (Disembowelment)

Mechanical

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Happens in a fraction of a second - no warning. Oncevacuum is released, victim may still be trapped. Can happened

with pump on or OFF.

Suction Entrapment Avoidance

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Hair Entrapment (Entanglement)

Body or Torso Entrapment

Limb Entrapment

Evisceration (Disembowelment)

Mechanical

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Like limb entrapment happens in a fraction of a second. Intestines are hammered into the pipes at speeds that

exceed backup standard (3-4 seconds)

Suction Entrapment Avoidance

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Hair Entrapment (Entanglement)

Body or Torso Entrapment

Limb Entrapment

Evisceration (Disembowelment)

Mechanical

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Reported accidents that did not fit neatly into the other categories: bathing suits, jewelry, and other mechanical issues

Suction Entrapment Avoidance

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Signed into law December 19, 2007

Provides for mandatory entrapment avoidance on all public pools by December 19, 2008

Under Consumer Product Safety Act 15 U.S.C. § 2068(a) & 15 U.S.C. § 2069(a)(1) - civil penalties up to $1.825 million. Congress is considering increasing to $10 million

Willful violations subject to imprisonment under 15 U.S.C. §2070(a)

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Suction Entrapment AvoidanceVirginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

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Mandatory Covers conforming to ASME A112.19.8-2007

Installed on ALL Public Pools by December 19, 2008

Inspect for and address and single drain installations or multiple drains closer than 3 ft separation. Protect with one of six options

Safety Vacuum Release System - ASME/ANSI standard A112.19.17 or ASTM standard F2387

Suction Limiting Vent System - ASTM Standard Task force formed 2004

Gravity Drainage

Automatic Pump Shut-off

Drain Disablement

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Suction Entrapment AvoidanceVirginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

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Computational Fluid Dynamic Studies as well as basic fluid dynamics all support that the location of the suction port is not the primary driver in pool circulation

In most states, including Tennessee, water for circulation turnover is sufficient with skimmers, when they are placed on the pool according to surface area (500 ft2)

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Suction Entrapment Avoidance

Pool Circulation

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

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Suction Entrapment Avoidance

Debris Removal

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act

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Suction Entrapment Avoidance

How Do I Recognize the Hazard?

ANSI/APSP-7 Checklist

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Suction Entrapment AvoidanceAPSP-7 has undergone rigorous tests to

confirm hazards and mitigation

How Do We Know?

Testing NASA Space Act

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Suction Entrapment AvoidanceANSI/APSP-7 Entrapment Avoidance Standard

Any outlet that can be shadowed by 18 x 23” blocking element cannot be flat and flush

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Suction Entrapment AvoidanceDual Outlet Separation

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Suction Entrapment AvoidanceDual Outlet Separation

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Suction Entrapment AvoidanceDual Outlet Separation

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Suction Entrapment AvoidanceIt is a simple choice. Together we can

make Tennessee pools safe

In Memory of Kiah Milsom July 20, 2008

stopsuctionentrapment.com

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