ASME A112.19.17-2010 (R2023): Safety Vacuum Release Systems
The largest pool in the world is in Algarroba, Chile. It holds 66 million gallons of water, stretching 1,013 meters (over 3323.491 feet) long and going as deep as 35 meters (over 114 feet) in some sections, which is approximately 12 stories. As such, ensuring that this enormous pool is equipped with safety features is imperative. ASME A112.19.17-2010 (R2023): Manufactured Safety Vacuum Release Systems (SVRS) For Residential And Commercial Swimming Pool, Spa, Hot Tub, And Wading Pool Suction Systems establishes requirements for safety vacuum release systems.
What Is a Safety Vacuum Release System (SVRS)?
A safety vacuum release system (SVRS) is a system or device that disables a pool pump’s suction ability, so that a body or object trapped against the suction outlet is freed. The objective of a SVRS is to prevent entrapment (which could result in serious injury or drowning). A SVRS works by inducting air to the pump and/or powering down the pump motor when it senses a sudden vacuum increase. It is capable of providing vacuum release at a suction outlet caused by a high vacuum occurrence due to a suction outlet blockage.
What Is ASME A112.19.17?
ASME A112.19.17-2010 (R2023) establishes general requirements, dimensions and tolerances, materials, installation instructions, testing requirements, and markings and identification for safety vacuum release systems (SVRS) devices. SVRS devices are intended to be utilized on pool, spa, hot tub, and/or therapy unit suction systems.
SVRS devices covered under ASME A112.19.17-2010 (R2023) are designed to relieve high vacuum occurrences that cause human body or body part suction entrapment.
Importance of SVRS
Thee drain(s) at the bottom of the pool works to supply water to the pool pump, where it is filtered. The safety vacuum release system (SVRS) is found in a pool pump, which draws the water into the drain by suction. If an object covers the drain, the pool pump will exert suction in an effort to draw water into the pump. Installing a pump equipped with a SVRS is important because it helps prevent entrapment, which has occurred when the hair or other body part of swimmers come into contact with the drain.
What Is a Pool Pump?
The pool pump is at the forefront of a pool’s circulatory system. It pulls water from the pool and pushes it to other equipment to be heated, treated, and filtered, returning cleaner, healthier, and warmer pool water. A pump helps keep pool water healthy, comfortable, and clean.
How Does a SVRS Work?
Here is how a safety vacuum release system (SVRS) works:
- Monitors pool pump pressure
- Detects the change in pressure when a drain is blocked by an object
- Releases a vent, allowing the object to be released (in a stand-alone system)
- Shuts the motor down, allowing the object to be released (in a pump equipped with the system)
ASME A112.19.17-2010 (R2023): Manufactured Safety Vacuum Release Systems (SVRS) For Residential And Commercial Swimming Pool, Spa, Hot Tub, And Wading Pool Suction Systems is available on the ANSI Webstore.
