Actually Reno, any pump is strong enough to suck someone down into the drain, That is a function of water pressure. There are "entrapment" rules in the pool/spa code for that (multiple suctions and perhaps a vent) but in a commercial/multifamily setting they still require an emergency shutoff. You are right that this is not the same as the maintenance disconnect although if all the "in sight" rules were satisfied I suppose it could be. It would still have to be something that disconnected all ungrounded conductors and the air switch doesn't do that.
