Why should a Single Spa or Pool Drain always be Split?

The Ins and Outs of a Drain

The purpose of a pool drain is to circulate water through a filtering system that removes dirt and debris. The main drain is usually located at the lowest point in the pool, where the pool’s surface often slants downward. A powerful pump draws water from the pool creating suction, drawing water into the pipes connected to and from filters. Pool drains are always covered with grates or antivortex covers — they divert the flow of water to prevent injury (as hair or limbs can get caught in the current caused by the pump’s suction).

Splitting a Pool Drain for Safety

For residential pools we highly recommend splitting the main drain system. This means that the drain pipe is T’d off to two drain covers instead of a single drain. This practice is known to reduce the risk of serious injury or even a fatality, since if one drain is blocked (i.e. by a person’s body), the other drain “takes over” releasing the blockage. Sadly, there have been hundreds of known injuries and drownings reported as a result of a single drain system.

The pool main drain and spa drain have the ability to create a vortex caused by the sucking force of moving water from the pool into the filtering system. This force could trap a person against the drain, keeping them submerged. While the main pool drain is typically located in the deep end, spa drains can be particularly dangerous.

With a split spa drain, either two drains are installed on the floor of the spa if there is room to place the drains at least 3’ apart or one is placed on the floor and the other one on the wall. The risk of getting stuck is then virtually eliminated.

If a person were to get too close to the cover, they can still find themselves “stuck” momentarily, however the other drain would simply take over, releasing the person.

Commercial Pools Must Split Pool Drains

Residential pool owners are not required to split the main drains in either the pool or spa. However, commercial pool and spa operators are required by law to split pool drains. If you own or manage property with a pool and/or spa that is used by the public, you must follow:

• The 2007 Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act – requires all public pools and spas (as defined by the Act), to be equipped with drain cover systems conforming to the ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 standard.
• Effective Dec. 19, 2008, both new and existing commercial pool operators were forced to upgrade their pool and spa drains.

Our Policy To Split Drains

At Gardner Outdoor and Pool Remodeling we care about our clients safety. When we remodel spas, we always split drains as a safety precaution. This protects you and your family from potential injury.