In response to the recent article "Members of Congress Protest VGB", we would like to make the following comments:
As an industry participant, I agree there needs to be a uniform interpretation of the VGB Act not only on the federal level but also in local municipalities. I did some digging and found the following information on regulations.gov concerning the interpretation of "Unblockable Drain"
As we recognize main drains to be a possible danger, should we not consider the absence of main drains all together? On residential pools this is already being done on the polymer inground pools we sell online at propools.com through the use of an Aqua Genie Skimmer/Return.
We have installed the Aqua Genie systems locally on our pools and insist they still maintain proper water circulation for proper filtration and sanitization.
More Information on the VGB Act - http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA10/brief/vgb.pdf
Comments
The CPSC does not contain the expertise to supervise the pool industry. Moreover, the industry does not need supervision. The industry needs a mandate, at the state level in each state, to form a method of licensing and regulating its own. The model for doing this exists for licensing electricians, architects, doctors, etc. The organization that regulates those professional practices in each state are run by members of those professions, not some ignorant bureaucrat in Washington DC.