VGB compliance
Definition
Adherence to the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, which mandates anti-entrapment drain covers on any aquatic facility with suction outlets, including some splash pad designs.
The VGB Act was passed in 2007 after a child died of suction entrapment at a wading-pool drain. It requires anti-entrapment covers, secondary equalizer drains, or unblockable drain designs on every public pool, spa and applicable water-play feature.
Most splash pads avoid VGB scrutiny entirely because they have no suction outlets at the pad surface — drains are gravity, not pump-fed. Recirc tanks have suction inlets that must be VGB-compliant; modern installations always are.