How Do I Know Correct Drain Cover?

[jgushue]

I am so happy that I found this forum as I am a newbie with the pool this year and found it very helpful. We just bought the house in Nov so this is our first season with an inground pool. The pool was built in 2001 and I asked the pool company about whether the drain is one of those "dome safety kinds" to protect kids from being sucked down. They said oh of course.....but I would like to know is there a way to confirm it. Are all drains that have a dome shape safe? Can I test the suction with a tool. I apologize if this question seems naive.

thanks

[ps558]

I am so happy that I found this forum as I am a newbie with the pool this year and found it very helpful. We just bought the house in Nov so this is our first season with an inground pool. The pool was built in 2001 and I asked the pool company about whether the drain is one of those "dome safety kinds" to protect kids from being sucked down. They said oh of course.....but I would like to know is there a way to confirm it. Are all drains that have a dome shape safe? Can I test the suction with a tool. I apologize if this question seems naive.

thanks

As far as I know right now. the domed shaped drain covers are not approved for anti entrampent.

Hayward makes one the comes close but is a square cover not round or domed. It also is not approved.

Look at this link for one make of a safety vacumm release system

http://stinglproducts.com/

It explains a little about the law that was past also. I have seen these work, It is very fast at shutting down the system

[jgushue]

I am so happy that I found this forum as I am a newbie with the pool this year and found it very helpful. We just bought the house in Nov so this is our first season with an inground pool. The pool was built in 2001 and I asked the pool company about whether the drain is one of those "dome safety kinds" to protect kids from being sucked down. They said oh of course.....but I would like to know is there a way to confirm it. Are all drains that have a dome shape safe? Can I test the suction with a tool. I apologize if this question seems naive.

thanks

As far as I know right now. the domed shaped drain covers are not approved for anti entrampent.

Hayward makes one the comes close but is a square cover not round or domed. It also is not approved.

Look at this link for one make of a safety vacumm release system

http://stinglproducts.com/

It explains a little about the law that was past also. I have seen these work, It is very fast at shutting down the system

Thanks for the link. I just saw a report on GMA which showed how dome shaped drain lids do not cause an intense vac. suction. They demonstrated by laying a boogie board over a drain that was flat and had intense suction. It broke the boogie board in half. I am assuming that I could also test the suction in a similar manner???

[ps558]

I am so happy that I found this forum as I am a newbie with the pool this year and found it very helpful. We just bought the house in Nov so this is our first season with an inground pool. The pool was built in 2001 and I asked the pool company about whether the drain is one of those "dome safety kinds" to protect kids from being sucked down. They said oh of course.....but I would like to know is there a way to confirm it. Are all drains that have a dome shape safe? Can I test the suction with a tool. I apologize if this question seems naive.

thanks

As far as I know right now. the domed shaped drain covers are not approved for anti entrampent.

Hayward makes one the comes close but is a square cover not round or domed. It also is not approved.

Look at this link for one make of a safety vacumm release system

http://stinglproducts.com/

It explains a little about the law that was past also. I have seen these work, It is very fast at shutting down the system

Thanks for the link. I just saw a report on GMA which showed how dome shaped drain lids do not cause an intense vac. suction. They demonstrated by laying a boogie board over a drain that was flat and had intense suction. It broke the boogie board in half. I am assuming that I could also test the suction in a similar manner???

They did not test with a dummy with long hair or a loose fitting bathing suit. If you have a valve to control from both the skimmer and the drain, run it half the water from each or turn the drain off a little

[jkusmier]

Caveat: what little I know I've learned from this forum. Not familiar w/ "dome" drain covers, but maybe your builder was simply referring to a round anti-entrapment drain cover. Most are designed to prevent entrapment and hair entanglement - the idea is the suction force isn't coming from a single hole, but is diffused through many small inlets so you'd have to literally cover the entire drain cover in order to realize the kind of suction capable of entrapping/holding a child (or anyone, for that matter) at the bottom of the pool.

See Hayward drain covers or Pentair drain covers for examples.

What concerns me is the suction from the skimmer (well, the vacuum hose) when vacuuming. There are devices that will cut-off the suction automatically when they detect a blockage. Sorry, I can't provide details, I'd like some myself.

But modern main drain covers from reputable, mainstream manufacturers are safe, designed to avoid entrapment/entanglement and basically the industry standard. Perhaps you're thinking of the well-publicized story of Abigail Taylor, a 6-year old girl whose intestines were literally sucked out of her late last June when she sat directly upon a drain pipe because the cover grate had loosened and been removed. This was a commercial pool, at a country club in Minnesota, of I recall correctly. Don't worry about that in a residential pool w/ main drain covers from Hayward, Pentair or other leading manufacturers.

Sadly, she died this past March - endured multiple surgeries and organ transplants, but ultimately succumbed to a rare cancer associated w/ transplant patients taking immuno suppresents/anti-rejection drugs.

[jgushue]

Caveat: what little I know I've learned from this forum. Not familiar w/ "dome" drain covers, but maybe your builder was simply referring to a round anti-entrapment drain cover. Most are designed to prevent entrapment and hair entanglement - the idea is the suction force isn't coming from a single hole, but is diffused through many small inlets so you'd have to literally cover the entire drain cover in order to realize the kind of suction capable of entrapping/holding a child (or anyone, for that matter) at the bottom of the pool.

See Hayward drain covers or Pentair drain covers for examples.

What concerns me is the suction from the skimmer (well, the vacuum hose) when vacuuming. There are devices that will cut-off the suction automatically when they detect a blockage. Sorry, I can't provide details, I'd like some myself.

But modern main drain covers from reputable, mainstream manufacturers are safe, designed to avoid entrapment/entanglement and basically the industry standard. Perhaps you're thinking of the well-publicized story of Abigail Taylor, a 6-year old girl whose intestines were literally sucked out of her late last June when she sat directly upon a drain pipe because the cover grate had loosened and been removed. This was a commercial pool, at a country club in Minnesota, of I recall correctly. Don't worry about that in a residential pool w/ main drain covers from Hayward, Pentair or other leading manufacturers.

Sadly, she died this past March - endured multiple surgeries and organ transplants, but ultimately succumbed to a rare cancer associated w/ transplant patients taking immuno suppresents/anti-rejection drugs.

Yes..thank you for explaining the dome drain! That is how the reporter explained how the suction was less due to the many exposed holes. Also the dome shape itself causes water flow and cuts the suction down. I appreciate all your help as I am extremely careful with safety regarding my pool

[Clopay]

I am so happy that I found this forum as I am a newbie with the pool this year and found it very helpful. We just bought the house in Nov so this is our first season with an inground pool. The pool was built in 2001 and I asked the pool company about whether the drain is one of those "dome safety kinds" to protect kids from being sucked down. They said oh of course.....but I would like to know is there a way to confirm it. Are all drains that have a dome shape safe? Can I test the suction with a tool. I apologize if this question seems naive.

thanks

All dome shaped drain covers are not approved. Ask your pool retail store. I replaced my covers with the new Hayward Drain covers. They cost me 39.99 at my retail store. They were approved and had all the new requirements written on them. You have to make sure you ask for the new approved covers. They are 8" round. They explained that they have metal housings in them, so they cannot be stripped out by the screws. My Pool is only 5 feel deep, so I was able to change them myself without emptying the pool. If you have an 8' deep pool, I think you have to hire a diver or empty the pool to change them. I also put in

the new stratum SVRS (Safety Vaccum release system). It turns off the pump and releases air into the suction line if anybody is entrapped. Expensive, but worth it.

Check out their site: www.Haywardnet.com

[ps558]

I am so happy that I found this forum as I am a newbie with the pool this year and found it very helpful. We just bought the house in Nov so this is our first season with an inground pool. The pool was built in 2001 and I asked the pool company about whether the drain is one of those "dome safety kinds" to protect kids from being sucked down. They said oh of course.....but I would like to know is there a way to confirm it. Are all drains that have a dome shape safe? Can I test the suction with a tool. I apologize if this question seems naive.

thanks

All dome shaped drain covers are not approved. Ask your pool retail store. I replaced my covers with the new Hayward Drain covers. They cost me 39.99 at my retail store. They were approved and had all the new requirements written on them. You have to make sure you ask for the new approved covers. They are 8" round. They explained that they have metal housings in them, so they cannot be stripped out by the screws. My Pool is only 5 feel deep, so I was able to change them myself without emptying the pool. If you have an 8' deep pool, I think you have to hire a diver or empty the pool to change them. I also put in

the new stratum SVRS (Safety Vaccum release system). It turns off the pump and releases air into the suction line if anybody is entrapped. Expensive, but worth it.

Check out their site: www.Haywardnet.com

Clopay is correct. All drain covers are not approved. Here is a link to the requirements

http://www.apsp.org/clientresources/docume...-SSafetyAct.pdf.

If your pool has more than one drain you need to replace the covers with new approved ones. If you have a single drain then a new cover and vac release system is suggested.

[jgushue]

I am so happy that I found this forum as I am a newbie with the pool this year and found it very helpful. We just bought the house in Nov so this is our first season with an inground pool. The pool was built in 2001 and I asked the pool company about whether the drain is one of those "dome safety kinds" to protect kids from being sucked down. They said oh of course.....but I would like to know is there a way to confirm it. Are all drains that have a dome shape safe? Can I test the suction with a tool. I apologize if this question seems naive.

thanks

All dome shaped drain covers are not approved. Ask your pool retail store. I replaced my covers with the new Hayward Drain covers. They cost me 39.99 at my retail store. They were approved and had all the new requirements written on them. You have to make sure you ask for the new approved covers. They are 8" round. They explained that they have metal housings in them, so they cannot be stripped out by the screws. My Pool is only 5 feel deep, so I was able to change them myself without emptying the pool. If you have an 8' deep pool, I think you have to hire a diver or empty the pool to change them. I also put in

the new stratum SVRS (Safety Vaccum release system). It turns off the pump and releases air into the suction line if anybody is entrapped. Expensive, but worth it.

Check out their site: www.Haywardnet.com

Clopay is correct. All drain covers are not approved. Here is a link to the requirements

http://www.apsp.org/clientresources/docume...-SSafetyAct.pdf.

If your pool has more than one drain you need to replace the covers with new approved ones. If you have a single drain then a new cover and vac release system is suggested.

Thank you so much. My drain is in six feet deep section....and I don't feel comfortable switching it myself. I will look to have a professional. Thanks for educating me! I greatly appreciate it.