Pool Safety Check: Features worth their money

Tragedies happen every year. Little kids can easily get stuck in the powerful drain or suction outlet of your swimming pool and drown. While all commercial pools had to upgrade their system according to the new safety standards in recent years, there are still many private pools which do not feature a SVRS (Safety Vacuum Release System) or are not VGB (Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act) compliant.

Jamie Snyder from Albert Group Landscaping and Swimming Pools recommends the pool being checked before the season starts. Often the solution to more safety is as simple as a new VGB cover for the drain. “The new covers are a little bit wider with more holes, but will fit every standard pool“, he says. “While new pools are required to feature two of the new drain fittings by law, many older pools might still not be up to date. Last year in Monroe, NY alone I was called to over 20 pools that were not up to date. ”

 Another interesting and money-saving option to comply with the new safety standards is the installation of a new variable speed induction motor with built-in SVRS system. “These new motors are not only safer than the regular motors, they also can save you $600 to $800 per year in electricity”, explains Snyder.

The trick is, that these motors have integrated programmable timers mounted on the top of the motor. While you need to run the motor on a higher speed (about 2400rpm) for the suction cleaner, you can slow it down to half the speed if you only need to use the filtration system.

This will make swimming not only safer, but you can also save about 75% percent of the cost for electricity. Plus: The motor runs much quieter and shuts down automatically when something is stuck to the drain. Read our in depth article about the new variable induction motors.