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A 'drain' is an exit port for fluid.

Contents

Waste versus re-circulated drains

Clockwise versus counter-clockwise vortex

Multiple drains

Incidents involving safety of drains

External links

Safety-related links

Waste versus re-circulated drains

In some systems the drain is for discharge of waste fluids, such as the drain in a sink in which the water is drained when it is no longer needed.
In other systems, such as fountains or swimming pools where waster is recirculated, the drain is the input to the recirculating pump.
In the latter case, there is an obvious safety issue, because many people do not expect to encounter more than the head of water above the drain when touching a drain. For example, in a recent case, a lifeguard went to the bottom of a pool to retrieve something and his hand got stuck because of the extra pressure from the pump. When there is a recirculating pump, the risk of suction consists of the head of water, plus the suction of the pump (up to a maximum of 1 atmosphere).

Clockwise versus counter-clockwise vortex

Walking around in the wading pool will start the swirl, which, once started, can be reversed by walking in the other direction to get the water to flow the other way...

Multiple drains

As a matter of safety, there should be multiple drains in pools and public fountains, to help reduce dangers of drain entrapment.
Since children often play in public fountains, the use of multiple drains is a mandatory safety feature regardless of whether or not the architect or planner intends that the fountain be used as an aquatic play feature.

Incidents involving safety of drains

In 1994,
Cristin Fitspatrick drowned in Variety Village swimming pool when her hair became entangled in a water duct.

External links

Safety-related links

★ 6yr class=wikiexternal target=_blank>old girls intestines sucked out through pool drain

★ Rescue class=wikiexternal target=_blank>911 - Episode 222 - Segment 1 (Part 1 of 2)

★
Rescue 911 - Episode 222 - Segment 1 (Part 2 of 2)