One of the principle issues addressed in AB 2114 is the elimination of the terms “drain and main drain.” The term “suction outlet” will replace the term “drain or main drain” everywhere these terms currently appear in the code. The bill also eliminates the definition of “main drain” in the code and adds a new definition of suction outlet as “a fitting or fixture that conducts water to the circulation pump.” Additionally, AB 2114 makes it clear that a public pool can be constructed using alternative methods of conducting water to the circulation pump such as skimmers or perimeter overflow systems so long as such systems comply with the water turnover requirements contained in Title 24.
“This is one of the most important and significant bills ever enacted by SPEC,” says William Rowley, SPEC board member and president of Rowley International. “AB 2114 eliminates the danger of suction entrapment beyond the VGB Act because the bill will allow the design and construction of pools without man drains or suction outlets. SPEC should be commended for this outstanding accomplishment.”
AB 2114 also updates the California Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) statute to require that suction outlet grates must meet the ANSI/APSP-16 standards or any successor standards adopted by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
“SPEC has been working with the Department of Health for a couple of years relative to the Title 24 regulations which implement new building standards for public pools,” says John Norwood, president of SPEC. “Last year we reached agreement on most of the items we wanted to address. However, there were a couple of issues that we could not address as we needed to change the statutes first. The main drain issue was one of these. SPEC wanted to clarify that a pool can be constructed without the traditional main drain or drains. AB 2114 accomplishes this goal by specifically providing for the construction of pools with skimmers or perimeter overflow systems to circulate the water to the pump without a main drain or drains. If AB 2114 is enacted into law, there will no longer be a requirement for a drain or main drain on the bottom of the pool so long as the pool can comply with the water quality standards,” Norwood says.
Governor Jerry Brown has until the end of September to sign or veto the bill, sent to him on the last day of the 2011-2012 legislature session that adjourned on August, 31.
