WATER RECREATION – PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS
Federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety
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The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB) became effective December 19, 2008. This is a federal law that pertains to all public swimming pools, spas and wading pools throughout the nation, including those in Spokane County. The federal agency responsible for its implementation and enforcement is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Spokane Regional Health District's inspections and plan reviews will focus on the implementation and enforcement of the recently revised Washington State regulations ( Chapter 246-260 WAC)), which now include the technical design standards of the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB). However, conformance to the Washington State regulations does not automatically constitute compliance with all the required elements of the federal Act. Facilities must comply with the minimum requirements of both state and federal law. We recommend you click on PoolSafely.gov or contact a pool company or CPSC directly to help ensure all VGB requirements are met.
Inspections of water recreation facilities continue to focus on the sections of the Washington State regulations related to compliance and operation of the pool facility. The Health District will not specifically inspect facilities to verify compliance with the federal Act. However, if SRHD personnel observe conditions at a water recreation facility that may not conform to the federal law, we will periodically inform CPSC that a given facility may not be compliant. We do not anticipate that the CPSC will advise us of their intended follow-up.
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If any modifications to your pool are planned or anticipated in order to comply with the federal Act, SRHD must review the proposal in order to verify that it also meets the newly revised Washington State regulations (Chapter 246-260 WAC). If in compliance with state regulations, SRHD will issue approval for the modifications. Approval must be received from SRHD before proceeding with your project.
Click here to find out more about submitting plans to our office
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In order to assist facilities needing additional information about the federal requirements, we have added the following links:
SRHD recognizes and appreciates the efforts local pool and spa operators have made to come into compliance with state regulations. We will continue to pass on information that we receive from CPSC on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. For questions regarding compliance with the Washington State Water Recreation Facilities Regulations (Chapter 246-260), please do not hesitate to contact the Water Recreation Program at (509) 324-1560, ext. 4.
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