In December 2007 the United States Congress passed the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Pool and Spa Safety Act, which requires that all swimming pool or spa drain covers manufactured, distributed or entered into commerce in the United States conform to the entrapment protection standards of the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8 performance standard, or any successor standard regulating such swimming pool or spa drain covers. As noted in the Pool and Spa Safety Act, the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 standard establishes minimum standards for construction, configuration, and testing to ensure that a pool or spa main drain does not pose a suction entrapment hazard.
As of December 19, 2008, public pools and spas that are not in compliance with the Act may not open for use.
Natare's certified VGB drain covers and sump grates comply with the requirements of the VGB Pool and Spa Safety Act when used in conjunction with the appropriate certification of a Registered Design Professional as stipulated in the ASME Standard. These drain sump covers are unblockable and are qualified "Field Fabricated Outlets,", which can be used with existing pool outlets (drains). However, these drain covers are not intended for pools with single main drains except in special cases when certified for such usage by a Registered Design Professional.
Natare certified VGB drain covers and sump grates are available in standard sizes for 18-in. x 18-in. or smaller drain openings, and 24-in. x 24-in. or smaller drain openings. These sump grates are available in stainless steel or our special GPM polymer. Custom sizes can be supplied to accommodate virtually any existing drain sump or outlet.
Natare also provides certified stainless steel drain covers and sump grates as a complete unit in standard 18-in. x 18-in. and 24-in. x 24-in. sizes that accommodate flow rates over 1,100 gallons.