What is an unblockable drain?

United States CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION STANDARD FOR UNBLOCKABLE DRAIN 

TAKEN FROM June 18, 2008   CPSC Staff Interpretation of the Pool and Spa Safety Act Section 14041

1 This interpretation is that of the CPSC staff, has not been reviewed or approved by, and may not necessarily reflect the views of, the Commission.

 THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT CAN BE  VIEWED ON THE WEB AT   http://www.nspf.org/Documents/CPSC_Articles/cpscSection1404.pdf

 Unblockable Drain: (7) UNBLOCKABLE DRAIN - The term unblockable drain means a drain of any size and shape that a human body cannot sufficiently block to create a suction entrapment hazard. (FROM Pool and Spa Safety Act 1404i)

Staff interpretation: an unblockable drain, to be consistent with the test procedures found in ASME/ANSI A112.19.8, would have a minimum measure of 18” x 23”, which represents the shoulder to waist measurement of the 99th percentile adult

Staff further interpretation: unblockable drain may include:

• drain configurations that prevent a seal from occurring (large aspect cover, such as 18” x 23” or larger covers)

• long channels that cannot be blocked by the body (see figure a. below)

• large outlet grate (diagonal measure of 29” or more) (see figure b. below)

• circulation designs that do not include fully submerged suction outlets

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