I recently had the misfortune of re-piping an apt. building pool in Los Angeles that was completed before the VGBA came into code. The owner felt the need to have the job inspected months after completion and not meeting the new code was not passed. I had to replace the skimmer for a second time adding a split equallizer 18" below water level and three ft apart. This pool had a single hole skimmer with a seperate main drain plumbed to the pump, no tee at skimmer. My question, if anyone can help, is do I still need to install a split main drain or only replace the drain cover? Will a vacuum breaker at the pump get me in compliance instead of splitting main drain? Thanks for any help!
The VGB recommends dual main drains on a single line. However, the body of the language of the VGB as per CPSC interpretation is that "when reworking the drain is not feasable, installing a second layer of protection with an svrs in addition with a anti entrapment cover is recommended. The CPSC understands and knows that draining a pool and installing a suction limit vent switch or gravity drain system is cost prohibitive. Single main drains on a single pump require both svrs technology and a anti entrapment cover. However, once again, check with you local code in some areas such as connecticut (and brscuba will agree) pools MUST have bottom drains with dual drains with a three foot separation.
The CPSC has ruled in the 1-31-09 FAQ notice that equalizer lines do not need to be split
Carefully educating the inspectors and some clueless pool companies, is a daily battle
If you did a full rehab and repiping job in my state (CT) you would have been required to obey the current building code which is even tougher than
the VGB law, In CT all new homeowner pools and ones fully redone must have duel mains AND an SVRS (or no mains at all) all commercial pools if new
must have duel mains and be either gravity fed or have an svrs, existing commercial pools must have duel mains or if a single drain it must have an
svrs unless a gravity fed system
Bruce
Thanks for the info.