To prevent a suction entrapment hazard, an owner shall ensure that:

1. A. A vacuum fitting is capped when not in use;
2. B. A vacuum line valve is in the closed position when not in use;

3. C. Except as provided in §§F and G of this regulation, the main drain for a public pool or spa complies with 15 U.S.C. §8003 and is:

   1. (1) Connected to a minimum of two main drain outlets that are:

      1. (a) Not isolated by a valve or other means;
      2. (b) Spaced at least 3 feet from edge to edge; and
      3. (c) Hydraulically balanced; or
   2. (2) An unblockable drain.

4. D. A drain is covered with a securely attached drain cover in compliance with the:

   1. (1) American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools; and
   2. (2) 15 U.S.C. §8003.

5. E. A skimmer is:

   1. (1) Connected to an equalization line, main drain line, vent, or another skimmer that cannot be isolated by a valve or other means, or
   2. (2) Provided with a vented lid;

6. F. A pool or spa constructed before February 10, 1997 is provided by June 1, 2002, with:

   1. (1) At least two hydraulically balanced drain outlets spaced a minimum of 3 feet from edge to edge that cannot be isolated to create a single outlet for each circulation pump, as illustrated in Regulation .28-1A of this chapter;
   2. (2) A channel drain system that is at least 3 feet from edge to edge, as illustrated in Regulation .28-1B of this chapter; or
   3. (3) An approved safety vacuum release system.

7. G. As an interim measure, until a pool or spa constructed before February 10, 1997 is in compliance with §F of this regulation:

   1. (1) A pool or spa has a minimum of two outlets that cannot be isolated to create a single outlet per pump; and

   2. (2) These outlets are provided by connecting the main drain line to a skimmer line so that the lines cannot be isolated to create a single outlet, as illustrated in Regulation .28-1C of this chapter, assuring that:

      1. (a) The skimmer line does not become blocked within the skimmer housing at any time;
      2. (b) Associated valves are locked in an open position to prevent the drain or the skimmer from becoming a single source of suction; and
      3. (c) Associated valves are permanently tagged with a warning to maintain the valves in the open position at all times when the pool or spa is in use;

8. H. A pool or spa is in compliance with the following:

   1. (1) A suction outlet is provided with a cover that complies with the American National Standard for Public Swimming Pools;
   2. (2) A suction fitting complies with 15 U.S.C. §8003;

   3. (3) Suction outlet covers are:

      1. (a) Installed, not broken, not cracked, and securely in place; and
      2. (b) Installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions;
   4. (4) Suction outlet covers are secured according to manufacturers' directions and in such a way that the covers cannot be removed without the use of tools;
   5. (5) A pool or spa that does not have suction outlets in compliance with this regulation has all pumps immediately shut off until the pool or spa has been brought into compliance with this regulation;
   6. (6) The maximum velocity in the design of the drain piping does not exceed 6 feet per second when 100 percent of the circulation system design flow is drawn through the drain piping of any single drain;

   7. (7) A pool or spa facility has a comprehensive written maintenance program that addresses the following:

      1. (a) If a suction outlet cover is cracked or broken, the pump shall be immediately shut off and the cover shall be replaced;
      2. (b) Covers shall be anchored in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and supplied parts, and only manufacturer specified, noncorrosive fasteners may be used;
      3. (c) Lines and equipment shall be labeled or color coded for ready identification; and
      4. (d) The on/off switch for circulation pumps shall be clearly identified and labeled; and
   8. (8) Check valves in the suction line to pumps are removed to allow backflow of water or air to release the suction when the pump is shut off or when an influent blockage detection device is activated; and
9. I. A pool and spa operator completes the Pool and Spa Entrapment Hazards Checklist provided by the Secretary, or an equivalent form, on a daily basis before the pool or spa is open for that day's use.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§2-102, 2-104, 18-102, and 20-303, Annotated Code of Maryland, and 15 U.S.C. §8003

Effective date: February 10, 1997 (24:3 Md. R. 187)

Chapter revised as an emergency provision effective July 1, 1999 (26:16 Md. R. 1238); amended permanently effective December 13, 1999 (26:25 Md. R. 1898)

Regulation .01A amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .02 amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .03 amended as an emergency provision effective January 3, 2014 (41:2 Md. R. 88); amended permanently effective May 12, 2014 (41:9 Md. R. 521)

Regulation .03A amended effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 584); December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .04 amended as an emergency provision effective December 19, 2008 (36:4 Md. R. 345); amended permanently effective June 15, 2009 (36:12 Md. R. 837)

Regulation .04A, B amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .05B amended effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 584); December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .05B amended as an emergency provision effective December 19, 2008 (36:4 Md. R. 345); amended permanently effective June 15, 2009 (36:12 Md. R. 837)

Regulation .05B amended as an emergency provision effective January 3, 2014 (41:2 Md. R. 88); amended permanently effective May 12, 2014 (41:9 Md. R. 521)

Regulation .05B amended effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517); October 1, 2022 (49:12 Md. R. 640)

Regulation .06 amended as an emergency provision effective January 3, 2014 (41:2 Md. R. 88); amended permanently effective May 12, 2014 (41:9 Md. R. 521); November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .06-1 adopted effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .07 repealed and new Regulation .07 adopted effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .08 amended as an emergency provision effective January 3, 2014 (41:2 Md. R. 88); amended permanently effective May 12, 2014 (41:9 Md. R. 521)

Regulation .08 amended effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .09 amended effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .09C amended effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 584); December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .10 amended effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .11C adopted effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .12B amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .13C amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .14A amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .15A amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .16C, D amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .17C, D amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .18A amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .21 amended effective October 1, 2022 (49:12 Md. R. 640)

Regulation .21B amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .22A amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .25B amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .25C amended effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 584)

Regulation .25G adopted effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .26 amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .27 amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .27F amended as an emergency provision effective January 3, 2014 (41:2 Md. R. 88); amended permanently effective May 12, 2014 (41:9 Md. R. 521)

Regulation .28 amended effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 584); December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .28 amended as an emergency provision effective December 19, 2008 (36:4 Md. R. 345); amended permanently effective June 15, 2009 (36:12 Md. R. 837)

Regulation .28F, G amended as an emergency provision effective January 3, 2014 (41:2 Md. R. 88); amended permanently effective May 12, 2014 (41:9 Md. R. 521)

Regulation .28H amended effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .35A amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .40 amended effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 584); December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .41B amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1942)

Regulation .43 amended effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 584)

Regulation .43B amended effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)

Regulation .46 amended effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 584)

Regulation .53A amended as an emergency provision effective January 3, 2014 (41:2 Md. R. 88); amended permanently effective May 12, 2014 (41:9 Md. R. 521)

Regulation .55 adopted effective November 2, 2020 (47:10 Md. R. 517)