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VGB - Split Drains: Safest Solution?

Posted by Westside on February 12, 2009 at 12:25pm in Safety, Standards, and Codes
Hey Pool Genius’I am new to Pool Genius, so I apologize if this question has been raised elsewhere on the site.Is the safest solution hydraulically balanced split drains, 3’ or more apart, with properly installed covers and sumps and flow rates that are appropriate for that cover?If the cover is missing is it possible to be entrapped and or eviscerated on split drains? (assuming one the drains are not blocked, proper flow rates, meet ANSI/APSP-7 2006 American National Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidanceguidelines etc)APSP states: “Review of all reported incidents and communication with officials of all 50 states reveals not a single reported entrapment injury where properly spaced dual drains were in place.”It seems there is a backlash against splitting drains as a ploy by contractors to make more money, when in fact it appears to be the best solution.Thanks in advance for the input, I do commercial pool maintenance in Las Vegas and look forward to contributing and interacting with all the other Pool Genius’s…

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Replies

  • Westside February 13, 2009 at 7:08pm
    Thanks for the input, This forum is great.

    Eliminating the drains or changing them to returns are both excellent solutions, so naturally they are not available to us here in sin city.

    And my question pertains to primarily in ground commercial spas @ apartments, HOAs, Hotels, Motels….

    The question is: are split drains the safest solution? From everything I can find on the subject there is no chance of entrapment or evisceration on properly installed split drains.

    It seems as though the majority of the accidents were the result of missing drain covers on single drains.

    So, any solution that leaves a single drain in place, be it channel drains or SVRS still would still not address the issue of a missing cover as well as split drains?

    And BTW Scott, the sump in your picture doesn't look like it meets the standard either. :c)
  • Danny Allen February 13, 2009 at 6:06pm
    You may also want to consider coverting the drains to returns if allowed and it would be cheaper than having to add a SVRS system. You need to check with your jurisdiction first
  • Paul Jensen February 13, 2009 at 1:19pm
    I agree with Scott as far as SVRS's lobby group. I find it strange that SVRS's are accepted as meeting the VGB code when it states in their instructions that it does not protect against enviseration, which I thought was one of the things the VGB was to protect against. I prefer the multiple or unblockable drains w/the properly sized cover.
  • Scott Heusser February 12, 2009 at 5:52pm
    I think most of us agree that no main drains are the safest. Beyond that there are many ways to achieve the goal of safety. Splitting drains is a viable solution and one that requires little maintenance after it is installed. Split drains seem to have been ignored because they are not mentioned as specifically as the SVRS or other options. SVRS have their place, but likely have a better lobbying group with the code writers. Regardless, every pool or psa needs to be examined carefully to do what is in the best interest of the customer.

    BTW the sump in your picture doesn't look like it meets the standard. :c)
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