What is this recall about?

As a result of testing by independent third party testing labs, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with AquaStar, has announced a voluntary recall of certain pool and in-ground spa drain covers. A replacement or retrofit of these drain covers may be required in certain cases.

What information is available with regard to this recall?

The Manufacturer’s Notice to Builders, Installers and Service Professionals can be accessed through this link.

Why is a recall necessary?

Some pool and in-ground spa suction fittings (drain covers) were determined by the CPSC to have been incorrectly rated by independent third-party laboratories for protection against body entrapment.

Which models are affected?

4" Round	4RNDXXX;
8" Round	8AVXXX (8SBXXX, 8SBACXXX, 8SBVXXX), 8CCXXX, (8CC100), A8XXX, LP8AVXXX, (includes LP8SBXXX, LP8SBACXXX, LP8SBVXXX), LP8MHXXX, RLP8AVXXX, (includes RLP8SBXXX, RLP8SBACXXX);
9" Square	RFS9XXX, RWAV9XXX, SUN9XXX, WAV9XXX,LPRFS9XXX;
10" Round	10AVXXX (includes 10AVDDSBXXX), 10AVRCFRXXX;
18" Square	SUN18XXX, SUNA18XXX, WAV18XXX

When were these drain covers manufactured and sold

The drain covers in question were manufactured and sold after December 18, 2008. They will either have the “VGB 2008” “ASME A112.19.8-2007” or “ASME 2007”.

What should I if I have any of the recalled drain covers in stock?

THESE DRAIN COVERS CAN NO LONGER BE USED OR INSTALLED. IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW TO SELL OR DISTRIBUTE A RECALLED PRODUCT. If you have any of these drain covers in your possession, you must immediately contact AquaStar or your distributor for instructions for the recalled covers. AquaStar or your distributor will provide you with either replacement models, or instruct you to quarantine them until a riser ring kit can be sent out and attached to the models.

What should I do if I have installed any of these drain covers in pools or spas

If you have installed any of these drain covers in pools or spas, please continue reading below to learn which covers may need to be replaced or retrofitted.

What pools and spas are subject to this recall?

The following pools and spas are not the subject of the recall, even if they have the affected drain covers.

Pools or spas with drain covers that were installed before December 2008. All of the drain covers affected by this recall were manufactured or sold after December 19, 2008.

Pools or spas with unblockable drains. These will be rated and listed by the manufacturer as unblockable and include

Long rectangle "channel drains” 3” x 31” or larger.

Other large drains, typically 24” x 24” or 9”x36” or larger.

Hot tubs (a/k/a portable spas) are not affected by the recall, whether they are free standing, placed in the ground or surrounded by a deck.

Swimming pools (aside from built in wading (kiddie) pools, or inground spas) that have a multiple main drain system or a gravity drainage system are not affected by this recall.

WADING (KIDDIE) POOLS AND IN GROUND SPAS ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM THIS RECALL REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF DRAINS OR ADDITIONAL ANTI-ENTRAPMENT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS.

Single drain pools with an SVRS, Vent System or Automatic Shut Off Switch are NOT exempt from this recall

Multiple main drain system means 2 or more drains connected to the same pump, spaced at least three (3) feet apart, center to center, which cannot be isolated. Where there are two drains connected to separate pumps they are each considered a single main drain.

How is a wading, kiddie pool or in ground spa defined under this recall?

A kiddie or wading pool is defined as a separate pool designed for use by small children with an independent circulation system and a maximum water depth of 18 — 24 inches.

An in ground spa is a permanent, non factory built hydrotherapy unit (in which the water heating and water circulation equipment is not an integral part of the product).

What should I do about pools or spas that I believe are covered by this recall?

If you have installed or are aware of any of these model drain covers installed in pools or spas covered by this recall, you should have the pool owner contact AquaStar at 877-768-2717 to register the pool or spa's location and receive a receive a retrofit cover or riser ring. Before you call, locate the following information: When were the drain covers installed? How many drains does your pool or in-ground spa have? What is the shape and size of my drains? This information can be extremely helpful in determining if you are affected by the recall and in expediting a replacement or retrofit, if necessary.

How do I determine which models should be used as replacements

You can access the list of approved AquaStar replacement models here, or call AquaStar at 877-768-2717 or your local distributor.

ONLY APPROVED AQUASTAR REPLACEMENT MODELS SHOULD BE USED

Will I be paid for my time and labor for replacing or retrofitting recalled drain covers?

AquaStar will reimburse the pool owner a fee provided that

The replacement or retrofit was required under the recall

An approved AquaStar replacement model was installed or retrofitted

The pool's location information is registered with AquaStar prior to the replacement or retrofit

The Pool owner submits a signed and completed RECALL VERIFICATION FORM

If the drain cover was replaced, the pool owner will also need to return the original cover with the VERIFICATION FORM

How do I determine if a drain cover is properly rated for a given pool or spa?

Each drain cover is assigned a rating which determines the maximum flow in gallons per minute (GPM) that should be allowed to flow through that fitting. This rating is based on testing for body entrapment and hair entrapment under the ASME Suction Fitting Standard. The rating for each drain cover must equal or exceed the rating for the pump/pool or spa circulation system.

VERY IMPORTANT: The ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Catch Basins includes a variety of tools to assist in the proper evaluation of maximum flow rates, including Appendix B of the Standard. There is a Field Checklist that is also very helpful in identifying other important aspects of suction outlet safety, including fasteners, sumps and drain spacing. The Standard and the Field Checklist are available at www.apsp.org.

The APSP reminds all pool and spa professionals, as well as owners and operators of public and residential pools, that drain covers must be installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions, including fastening, spacing, and GPM rating. The ANSI/APSP-7 Standard can readily assist in this process, and ensure the proper evaluation and verification of drain covers matched correctly to the maximum system flow rates.

Are there any reports of injuries associated with the drain covers affected by the recall?

No, neither the Consumer Product Safety Commission nor the drain cover manufacturers are aware of any reports of injuries associated with the use of these drain covers.

What should I do about pools and spas that have older or pre “VGB” covers?

Public facilities with older or pre VGB covers are in violation of Federal Law, and the AquaStar and the CPSC urge you to advise them accordingly. There are numerous makes and models available to install on these pools and spas to bring them into compliance.

While replacement of older or pre “VGB” drain covers in residential pools is not required by law or by this recall, we also urge you to speak with owners of these pools and spas and to recommend that they replace their old drain covers.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COSTS INCURRED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF OLDER pre “VGB” DRAIN COVERS WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POOL OWNER OR OPERATOR AND WILL NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AQUASTAR.

Are there other steps owners can take to make their pool or spa as safe as possible?

Yes. Pool and spa bathers always need to practice basic and simple safety measures,

Never use a pool or spa that has a broken or missing drain cover

Never allow any bathers to play with or swim next to a drain cover

Always make sure children are under constant adult supervision whenever they are in or around a pool, spa or any body of water

The APSP and CPSC offer several important brochures which you can and should provide to your customers including
For more information go to www.poolsafely.gov and www.apsp.org

Are drain covers installed in public pools in an effort to be compliant with the VGB prior to the December 19, 2008 effective date included in the recall?

Yes, provided that the drain cover is one of the models which has been recalled, and the pool type or configuration falls within the scope of the recall (a wading/kiddie pool, in-ground spa, or single drain pool that does not have a gravity drainage system).