Pool Pump Suction Requirements; Entrapment Protection - STA-RITE MAX-E-PRO Owner's Manual

Fire and burn hazard. Modern motors run at
high temperatures. To reduce the risk of fire, do not allow
leaves, debris, or foreign matter to collect around the
pump motor. To avoid burns when handling the motor, let
it cool for 20 minutes before trying to work on it.
NOTICE: Use Teflon® tape or Plasto-Joint Stik ® for
making all threaded connections to the pump. Do not use
pipe dope; pipe dope will cause stress cracking in the
pump.
NOTICE: Pump suction and discharge connections have
molded in thread stops. DO NOT try to screw pipe in
beyond these stops.
Teflon Taping Instructions:
Use only new or clean PVC pipe fittings.
Wrap male pipe threads with one to two layers of Teflon
tape. Cover entire threaded portion of pipe.
Do not overtighten or tighten past thread stop in pump port!
If leaks occur, remove pipe, clean off old tape, rewrap
with one to two additional layers of tape and remake the
connection.
NOTICE: Support all piping connected with pump!
Piping:
Use at least 2" IPS PVC (51mm) pipe. Increase size if a
long run is needed.
To avoid strains on the pump, support both suction and
discharge pipes independently. Place these supports
near the pump.
To avoid a strain left by a gap at the last connection, start
all piping at the pump and run pipe away from the pump.
Never use a suction pipe smaller than pump suction
connection.
To avoid airlocking, slope suction pipe slightly upward
toward the pump.
NOTICE: To prevent flooding when removing pump for
service, all flooded suction systems must have gate
valves in suction and discharge pipes.
IAPMO Certified
Anti-entrapment
Cover or Suction Fitting,
screw-fastened to
Main Drain Sump
Suction Outlet
(Main Drain)
Valves OK between
pump and Tee
Figure 2 – Recommended pump suction layout.
At Least
3 Feet
IAPMO Certified
Anti-entrapment
Cover or Suction Fitting,
screw-fastened to
No valves between
Main Drain Sump
Tee and Main Drains
Suction Outlet
(Main Drain)
Pump
Fittings:
Fittings restrict flow; for best efficiency use fewest
possible fittings.
Avoid fittings which could cause an air trap.
Pool fittings must conform to International Association of
Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) standards.
Use only non-entrapping suction fitting or double
suction.
POOL PUMP SUCTION
REQUIREMENTS
drown or disembowel bathers. Do not use or operate
swimming pools, spas, or hot tubs if a suction outlet cover
is missing, broken, or loose. Follow the guidelines below
for a pump installation which minimizes risk to users of
pools, spas, and hot tubs.

Entrapment Protection

The pump suction system must provide protection against
the hazard of suction entrapment or hair
entrapment/entanglement.
Suction Outlet Covers
All suction outlet covers must be maintained. They must
be replaced if cracked, broken, or missing.
See below for outlet cover certification requirements.
All suction outlets must have correctly installed, screw-
fastened covers in place.
Testing and Certification
Suction outlet covers must have been tested by a
nationally recognized testing laboratory and found to
comply with the latest ASME/ANSI Specification for
Suction Fittings For Use in Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot
Tubs, and Whirlpool Bathtub Applications.
Outlets Per Pump
Provide at least two hydraulically balanced main drains,
with covers (see Page 5), for each swimming pool pump
suction line. The centers of the main drains (suction
fittings) must be at least three feet apart.
The system must be built so that it cannot operate with
the pump drawing water from only one main drain (that is,
there must be at least two main drains connected to the
pump whenever it is running). (See Figure 2). However, if
two main drains run into a single suction line, the single
suction line may be equipped with a valve which will
shutoff both main drains from the pump (see Figure 2).
More than one pump can be connected to a single
suction line as long as the requirements above are met.
2762 0197
4
Pump suction is hazardous and can trap and