GOLD COAST SWIMMING POOLS INC.
NEWS LETTER
Hello! Thank you for choosing GOLD COAST SWIMMING POOLS. I want to take this opportunity to let you know a little something about my company & me. My name is Jennifer; I am the owner of Gold Coast. I am a member of the APSP and NESPA( Association of Pool and Spa Professionals)(Northeast Spa and Pool Association). Members are offered education all year round to help professionals with all aspects of the industry. I travel to the Las Vegas and Atlantic City shows and learn about all the new products for pools and backyards.
I want to offer all aspects of outdoor living to my customers. I love to create outdoor rooms so people can entertain, and enjoy. There are so many new products such as BBQ islands, pergolas, and fire pits. I now offer low voltage outdoor lighting that extends the time you can spend outdoors, and all new efficient green ways to save on electric. As a NESPA member I am up to date on all news and safety requirements. I have been certified as a pool and spa professional. It is my job to make sure you are aware of all safety issues, so we can fix them and prevent accidents.
There have been tragic suction entrapment incidents, which has put children and adults in great danger. Strict regulations have been put on new pools, built before 2006.
In May 1996 a 16 year old was attending a post prom party at a club. The girl was in the hot tub with friends, and had dipped her head underwater to wet her hair when someone turned on the switch for the blower. The girl was held under water by the powerful suction, while lifeguards, police officers and friends struggled to pull her free.
How could a 5 foot 9” teenager drown in 3 feet of water, surrounded by people trying to help?
All the rescuers were baffled, by the incredible suction force trapping the girl under water. In this case, the emergency shut off switch was located precious minutes away in the clubs basement. Unfortunately accidents like this are more common than you think.
A typical pool drain can have the drawing force of 700lbs; plenty of suction to trap any one underwater. Drowning is not the only danger, like any submersion accident, comas and brain injuries are possible consequences. Some victims often small children sitting on broken drain covers in wading pools or shallow sections suffer life threatening evisceration injuries because the suction force is strong enough to pull the rectum and intestines out of their bodies. Sounds like horrible science fiction, but this is a serious aquatics safety issue that is finally getting the attention of U.S Legislatures.
(To explain, suction is where your pump draws the water from the pool). These are outlets on the bottom, and walls of the pool. If there was a suction outlet cover missing, on the wall or bottom of the pool, a child or adult could get stuck under water and this could result in a fatality.
In December 2007, Congress, and President Bush signed a new federal law:
The Virginia Graeme Baker Act; The law states that “Each public pool and spa in the United States must be equipped with anti-entrapment devices or systems that comply with the ASME/ANSI 112.19.8 performance standard”. Effective one year after date of enactment.
Last year we started to do a “Safety Check List” for your safety as well as ours. The check list includes any tripping hazards, gates or fences that may need to be repaired or replaced or main drain covers that are intact. If there is a cover missing from your pool, you must have them replaced for safety reasons. It is important that your main drain has the new anti-entrapment covers. (This is at the bottom of your pool).
Last season, a few of our customers were notified about a main drain cover missing or broken; but did not want to have it replaced. We would like to remind you of the danger. New anti-entrapment covers are being made, you must have them changed to an approved main drain cover; which we will have in stock come spring time. So please, if you notice your cover needs to be replaced, we highly suggest you replace it to prevent any injuries. We can dive and replace the cover, and the two screws. This would be an additional service call.
There are several layers of protection a facility can enact to reduce the risk of entrapment. For example, in addition to the anti-entrapment secured drain covers, a dual drain system in the pool reduces the suction at each drain. This can be done when building a new pool, or a renovation. An anti-vortex cover is not the same as an anti-entrapment cover.
Another essential layer is an automatic vacuum-breaking device which will turn off the pools pump, break the suction, activating an alarm, and releasing the person trapped. This can be installed on the suction intake located at the pump. This can be done on existing pools. This device is called S.V.R.S. (Suction Vacuum Release System).
Alarms can be bought and installed if you have small children. We also install safety fences around the perimeter of pools to protect small children from wandering in the pool. You can never put a price on safety, and I never want to hear any horror stories from any one of my customers.
I started leaving safety check lists at my customer’s homes, and I will continue to do so this year. Please be advised to look them over. If you have any questions please give us a call. I want everyone to enjoy their yards, and be as safe as possible. Alarms can be wireless and can attach to gates as well as patios and doors leading out to the pool with a minor install.
As for pool safety always watch your children. Don’t allow drinking or drugs around the pool. If you are interested in any new products we are offering don’t hesitate to call. We can try to accommodate you as soon as possible before we get busy in April. New products include: chlorine generators (salt systems), fiberglass pergolas with stone pillars, waterfalls, fire pits (removable or in ground), low voltage lighting. BBQ islands designed to suit, outdoor furniture, gazebos, and all aspects of pool renovations; like coping, tiles, patios and liners. Not only do we specialize in pools, we specialize in all masonry products including cobblestone, driveways, and stoops. Call for your free estimate today.
