locks on spa covers

[Mr. Inspector]

I am concerned about the plastic locks on spa covers. The ISPSC say spa safety covers are to comply to ASTMF136 but the locks themselves do not seem to need to comply by anything. The plastic locks just seem too fragile. You don't need a key because you can turn the lock with a small screwdriver.

I was inspecting a spa at a short-term rental house where the maintenance guy was replacing the locks on the cover. He told me that he replaces them between every tenant because they always break them. He had his 8 year old with him and I asked if he could have his kid try to open the spa with it locked. The kid pulled the straps with the lock and the plastic connected to the strap broke off easily. But the cover was too heavy for the kid to lift.

Has anyone else been concerned with these locks?

 

[Sifu]

The cover with the locks complies. Changing the locks, while trying to ensure the min. level of protection, might actually violate the testing/listing. Tough situation. My own cover; I have never pulled hard enough to yank the tiny little screws that hold the plastic locks on, but it's not hard to imagine that being easily done. The locks themselves seem pretty secure from unwanted release. That said, the whole assembly is so chintzy out of the box, the testing/listing must have pretty minimal criteria. As far as I'm concerned, they keep the lid down in high wind, and MIGHT prevent accidental opening, certainly not motivated opening. But I'm not sure preventing a motivated opening is the intent of the provision.

FWIW, I would never rent a unit with a hot tub, for the safety factor alone, let alone the maintenance and abuse. I made that decision on the one I own now.

 

[Mr. Inspector]

I don't think anyone will rent a short-term rental house without a spa. This is a vacation area, and a large percentage of the houses are being bought up and used for short-term rental purposes.