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Effective December 19, 2008, all public swimming pools and spas must comply with the provisions of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.  The Act requires that all suction outlets be equipped with ANSI A112.19.8 - 2007 approved anti-entrapment covers.  If the pool is not designed with a split-T main drain system (with drains separated at least 36 inches apart), the pool must have a secondary safety device, such as a safety vacuum release switch (SVRS).

Many pools will not comply with the new legislation by merely changing the main drain covers, because the sump below the drain cover must meet the manufacturer's written specifications. In some cases, this will involve construction and design of a new sump.  In California, a C-53 contractor's license will be required to modify the sump.  If you are not properly licensed, refer the job to a properly licensed contractor.  You may need additional insurance to cover the required modifications.

IPSSA members should notify their commercial pools of the new federal legislation.  A sample letter and information is available at either the members-only section of this web site or at http://www.arrowinsuranceservice.com/.

Members with questions can call Ray Arouesty at Arrow Insurance Service 800-833-3433 or Bob Nichols, IPSSA Outreach Committee chair, at 626-914-4813.

Frequently Ask Questions about the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (from the Consumer Products Safety Commission)

 Western Pool and Spa Show 2009 Presentation

  CPSC guidelines for complying with VGBPSSA 

 CPSC Frequenty Asked Questions

 CPSC December 15, 2008 Press Release Regarding Compliance

 APSP Flow Chart and Checklist for checklist for identifying suction entrapment hazards

 Los Angeles County Advisory October 11, 2009

 Los Angeles County Advisory July 1, 2009

 Los Angeles County Advisory February 9, 2009

 Los Angeles County Advisory November 20, 2008

 San Diego County December 2008 Advisory

 Santa Clara County January 5, 2009 Advisory

 Today Show Story on VGBPSSA Dec. 16, 2008

Basic Training Manual Part 1 - Water Chemistry -- Written by noted industry expert, Robert Lowry, IPSSA's Basic Training Manual-Part 1 focuses on water chemistry and covers: properties of water; pool types; volume calculations, standards and measurements; water chemistry and balance; chemistry of chlorination; types of chlorine; protecting chlorine; chlorine generators, bromine and ozone; water testing; and chemical adjustments.  It also includes an extensive glossary and practice test questions, easy-to-use chapter tabs, many graphics, charts and tables.  Price: $24.95 IPSSA Members; $49.95 Non-Members.  A companion workbook also is available.  NOTE:  IPSSA's water chemistry certification exam is based on this book.

Basic Training Manual Part 2 -- Equipment -- Written by noted industry expert, Robert Lowry, IPSSA's Basic Training Manual-Part 2 focuses on equipment and covers: hydraulics, pumps and motors, filters, skimmers, fittings and valves, heaters, heat pumps and solar, plus automatic pool cleaners.  It also includes an extensive glossary and practice test questions, easy-to-use chapter tabs, many graphics, charts and tables.  Price: $21.95 IPSSA Members; $39.95 Non-Members,  A companion workbook also is available.

Pool Chlorination Facts - Also written by Robert Lowry, this book contains 30 years worth of gathered information, tips, tricks, techniques and myths -- all the things you ever wanted to know about using chlorine in a pool are here.  Price: $24.95 IPSSA Members; $29.95 Non-Members.

CPO Handbook - The National Swimming Pool Foundation has created this training manual to help teach pool professionals how to operate pools and spas properly and reduce risks to people and facilities.  Price: $49.95 IPSSA Members; $59.95 Non-Members.

Intermediate Training Manual Part 1 - Water Chemistry -- Written by noted industry expert, Robert Lowry, IPSSA's Intermediate Training Manual-Part 1 focuses on water chemistry and covers:  algae; more sanitizers (biguanides, UV, chlorine generators and mineral technology); ammonia, chloramines, combined chlorine, nitrates, nitrogen-containing compounds and organic contaminants; cloudy water and clarifiers; pool start-ups; your questions and FAQs; miscellaneous tips, tricks, short cuts, quick facts and conversions.  It also includes an extensive glossary and practice test questions, easy-to-use chapter tabs, many graphics, charts and tables.  Price: $24.95 IPSSA Members; $49.95 Non-Members.

 Training Materials Order Form

 CPO Materials Order Form

Help needed with California state-wide West Nile virus threat

By Don Burns

Don Burns is president and CEO of the California Spa and Pool Education Council (SPEC) www.calspec.org..

Adding significantly to California's present West Nile Virus outbreak threat are thousands of potentially stagnant swimming pools and spas at homes abandoned following lender foreclosures.

Although this year there has only been one human virus infection in the state thus far, birds, horses and a number of other animals have been killed or sickened by the deadly virus' recent spread.  The virus is carried by mosquitoes, which require standing water for their larva to develop.  Needed action: Prevent water stagnation.

In cooperation with the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC), an organization of local government vector control and mosquito abatement agencies, the state's swimming pool industry is asking the cooperation of its members in the current campaign to locate and report standing bodies of water where mosquitoes can breed.

Abandoned swimming pools and spas are a major concern of the state's vector control agencies.  Pool industry professionals are in an excellent position to provide information on shut-down pools.  When a house has had its power turned off and its pool has been left without maintenance, it should be reported to the local vector control office as soon as possible.  Local abatement officers can then go to the pool and release mosquito fish into the water.  The fish feed on mosquito larva and remove the threat of West Nile Virus spreading.

SPEC members are asked to report any abandoned pools they find in their daily work.  The MVCAC's web site has a listing of all California control district offices, their telephone numbers and email addresses for pool service technicians to use for reporting abandoned pools.  The web site address for the local directory is: www.mvcac.org/agencies.htm.  You are urged to go on the Internet and contact the vector control office in your area so that alerts can be sent quickly when a problem pool is discovered.

Several agencies, such as the Sacramento-Yolo Counties Vector Control District, have resources which allow them to do helicopter fly-over photography operations to spot untreated home pools.  But even these few better funded districts cannot afford to photograph large areas on a daily basis.  As a result, SPEC members can provide considerable help in the present health risk emergency. 

The IPSSA Scholarship Fund - Advancing Professional Training and Education in the Swimming Pool and Spa Industry

The Independent Pool and Spa Service Association (IPSSA), established in 1988, was formed to promote educational opportunities and provide business resources to its membership.  Scholarships through the IPSSA fund are available to all self-employed swimming pool/spa service technicians and their immediate family members in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas.

Scholarships will be available in all swimming pool/spa service related areas, including business-related courses at local community colleges.  Scholarships are not available for pool building education. Applications are accepted throughout the year.  The Scholarship Committee meets once each year in January.  Applications must be received in the IPSSA executive office by December 1^st to be considered for a scholarship at that time.

Applications are available by clicking on the link below or by contacting the IPSSA executive office at 888-360-9505.

Scholarships are available for, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Certified Pool Operators (CPO)
• Aquatics Facility Operator (AFO)
• Contractor license schools
• Manufacturer sponsored courses
• Community college courses in:
• Bookkeeping
• Accounting
• Computers
• Chemistry
• Trade school courses in:
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Whatever will help your business!

Click below for an IPSSA scholarship fund application.

 2010 Scholarship Application