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High school pool closed until January, despite 'unblockable' drains

Date: 12/29/2008

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



LONGMEADOW Beverly Hirschhorn, Health Agent for the town of Longmeadow, shut down the high school's pool at midnight on Dec. 18 because it was not in compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

Adrian Phaneuf, facilities director, said the pool should be open by the time schools open up again after winter break.

The pool may not need the special drain covers that many other public pools in the area require, however.

The act states that "all public, semi-public and special purpose swimming pool drain/grate covers must conform to the American National Standard ASME A112.19.8 - 2007 Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs" and that "every ... swimming pool with a single main drain, other than an unblockable drain (interpreted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to have minimum dimensions of 18 inches by 23 inches or have a diagonal measurement of 29 inches or more), must be equipped with one or more additional systems or devices designed to prevent suction entrapment."

"The covers on the high school pool are 32 inches square," Phaneuf told the School Committee last Monday. He also noted the pool has two drains, not one main drain.

Committee member Armand Wray asked why, because of the size of the pool drains, would they not being considered unblockable, according to the act's language.

"Our pool is outside the guidelines," School Committee Chair Christine Swanson agreed. "How do we appeal this?"

It was suggested that letters be sent to the Town Manager, Robin Crosbie, and Hirschhorn, to reopen the pool.

"Beverly is working in the best interest of the public," committee member John Fitzgerald stated.

And, while Superintendent E. Jahn Hart agreed, she pointed out that the high school's swim team currently has nowhere to practice.

The specially sized drain covers, which together cost $2,500, are being sent from the manufacturer in Montana to a shipping point in California before coming directly to Longmeadow, according to Phaneuf. Once the covers arrive, they must be installed by a certified diver, which may cost up to $700.