Pool fence/gate

[Neal Lewis]

Can someone please provide a code reference for the requrement for having a self closing/locking gate for an inground swimming pool?

Thanks,

Neal

[Brad Manor]

The only thing I could find in my Code books applies to public pools. Probably just as well, I don't imagine the Ontario Building Code carries much weight in New Jersey.

-Brad

[Jim Katen]

Can someone please provide a code reference for the requrement for having a self closing/locking gate for an inground swimming pool?

Thanks,

Neal

From the IRC

SECTION AG105

BARRIER REQUIREMENTS

AG105.1 Application. The provisions of this chapter shall

control the design of barriers for residential swimming pools,

spas and hot tubs. These design controls are intended to provide

protection against potential drownings and near drownings

by restricting access to swimming pools, spas and

hot tubs.

AG105.2 Outdoor swimming pool. An outdoor swimming

pool, including an in-ground, above-ground or on-ground

pool, hot tub or spa shall be surrounded by a barrier which shall

comply with the following:

1. The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches (1219

mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier

which faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum

vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of

the barrier shall be 2 inches (51 mm) measured on the

side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming

pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above grade,

such as an above-ground pool, the barrier may be at

ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on

top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on

top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance

between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of

the barrier shall be 4 inches (102 mm).

2. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a

4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.

3. Solid barriers which do not have openings, such as a

masonry or stone wall, shall not contain indentations or

protrusions except for normal construction tolerances

and tooled masonry joints.

4. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical

members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal

members is less than 45 inches (1143 mm), the

horizontal members shall be located on the swimming

pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members

shall not exceed 13/4 inches (44 mm) in width.

Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members,

spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1-3/4

inches (44 mm) in width.

5. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical

members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal

members is 45 inches (1143 mm) or more, spacing

between vertical members shall not exceed 4 inches (102

mm). Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical

members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 13/4

inches (44 mm) in width.

6. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a

2-1/4-inch (57 mm) square unless the fence has slats fastened

at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings

to not more than 1-3/4 inches (44 mm).

7. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members,

such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by

the diagonal members shall not be more than 1-3/4 inches

(44 mm).

8. Access gates shall comply with the requirements of Section

AG105.2, Items 1 through 7, and shall be equipped

to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access

gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall be

self-closing and have a self-latching device. Gates other

than pedestrian access gates shall have a self-latching

device. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching

device is located less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from

the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism and openings

shall comply with the following:

8.1. The release mechanism shall be located on the

pool side of the gate at least 3 inches (76 mm)

below the top of the gate; and

8.2. The gate and barrier shall have no opening larger

than 1/2 inch (13 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm)

of the release mechanism.

9. Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier,

one of the following conditions shall be met:

9.1. The pool shall be equipped with a powered safety

cover in compliance with ASTM F 1346; or

9.2. Doors with direct access to the pool through that

wall shall be equipped with an alarm which produces

an audiblewarning when the door and/or its

screen, if present, are opened. The alarm shall be

listed in accordance with UL 2017. The audible

alarm shall activate within 7 seconds and sound

continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds after

the door and/or its screen, if present, are opened

and be capable of being heard throughout the

house during normal household activities. The

alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions.

The alarm system shall be equipped with a

manual means, such as touch pad or switch, to

temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening.

Deactivation shall last for not more than 15

seconds. The deactivation switch(es) shall be

located at least 54 inches (1372 mm) above the

threshold of the door; or

9.3. Other means of protection, such as self-closing

doors with self-latching devices, which are

approved by the governing body, shall be acceptable

so long as the degree of protection afforded

is not less than the protection afforded by Item

9.1 or 9.2 described above.

10. Where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier

or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool

structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps:

10.1. The ladder or steps shall be capable of being

secured, locked or removed to prevent access; or

10.2. The ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a

barrier which meets the requirements of Section

AG105.2, Items 1 through 9. When the ladder

or steps are secured, locked or removed, any

opening created shall not allow the passage of a

4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.

AG105.3 Indoor swimming pool. Walls surrounding an

indoor swimming pool shall comply with Section AG105.2,

Item 9.

AG105.4 Prohibited locations. Barriers shall be located to

prohibit permanent structures, equipment or similar objects

from being used to climb them.

AG105.5 Barrier exceptions. Spas or hot tubs with a safety

cover which complies with ASTM F 1346, as listed in Section

AG107, shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Neal Lewis]

Thanks Jim. Yeah I found it now in the NJ codes. Appreciate the help.

[terrisinsp]

Can someone please provide a code reference for the requrement for having a self closing/locking gate for an inground swimming pool?

Thanks,

Neal

I working in Pheonix in the industry. I am aware of codes requireing many structual elements of pool building, however some of the rules are insurance [homeowners] driven and then the local fire department will have rules written into mulicipality codes. So a code will vary city to city. I just refer the client to improve/upgrade to the bset safety standard common;y practiced. This is due to life/death condition. So I do not care what the local code is, I want to make the most safe recommendation.

Terris

[john_opwin]

Big thanks , jim that was very helpful

[robert1966]

Great reply Jim,

Same codes enforced in here as well. Self-closing and self-latching with same fence requirements.

[rickywells]

Here in the Phoenix area which is made up of many different municipalities, each city has their own codes for swimming pool enclosure requirements.

Homebuyers are given a Buyer Aware booklet by their Real Estate Agents in which they can find where to find the requirements for pool safety for their particular city. Home buyers are required to sign each page of that booklet which is proof that they were aware of the requirements.

Safety requirements have become very strict in the Phoenix Metro area because of the number of drownings each year. However, they have not proved to be enough yet so I always recommend the strictest of all requirements no matter what city they live in.

Home buyers need to understand that they are not only responsible for their children but they can also be held liable if a neighborhood child was to enter their yard and drown or become injured in their pool.

To sum it up, each municipality has their own code requirement but in my opinion your recommendations to buyers of a property with a pool should always be the strictest and let them be the deciding factor of which ones they want to carry out.

[Jim Katen]

. . . To sum it up, each municipality has their own code requirement but in my opinion your recommendations to buyers of a property with a pool should always be the strictest and let them be the deciding factor of which ones they want to carry out.

What are some examples of requirements on the stricter side of the aisle?

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[rickywells]

The items listed below is what I tell my clients:

1) First and foremost if there is no fence around the pool, have one installed.

2) Fences and gates should be a minimum of 5' tall with spacing no more than 4"

3) Gates should always open away from the pool and should have a latch atleast 54" from the ground

4) Planters, benches, in any lawn ornaments that kids could use to climb over fence should be removed

5) Diving boards should be removed because of the danger they impose

6) Metal Fencing within 5 ft of the waters edge should be grounded

7) All gates should be self closing and self latching with latches atleast 54" from the ground Including RV Gates

Any door that has access to the pool area should be self closing and self latching with child proof safety latches. This includes sliding glass doors, french doors, and garage side entry doors

9) No pet doors should give access to the pool area

10) Any windows that have access to the pool area and there is no fence around the pool should have a permanent stop mounted so they can not open more than 4 inches.

11) Door alarms so if the door exiting the house is opened an alarm sounds

12) Gate alarms so if the pool gate is opened, an alarm sounds

13) Pool net installed over pool so a small child would be caught by the netting. ( They have some pretty elaborate nets these days)

Remind Homebuyers never to run their pool pump while swimming. That may sound like something most people do however it doesnt always happen and let me explain why.

The older pools were built with one main drain in the bottom of the pool. This drain is where pool water is pulled from the pool and into the filter system and has enouph suction to hold a child to it if the filter system is running. Most pool features such as aerators and waterfalls on older pools also used the same filter system to pump water through those features which means that drain has a suction on it.

In todays world pool builders are required to put 2 drains in the pool at a minimum of 18" apart with raised covers on them. This way if a child were to cover one, the suction pressure would be diverted to the other drain so the danger has been greatly reduced but not eliminated.

Also most pool builders these days put water features such as waterfalls on seperate pumps so their beauty can be enjoyed while swimming.

It sounds like alot and it is if you were to do all of them but you have to take into account the age and size of your children. The few things mentioned above are to protect the little people that are not aware of the dangers that could harm them.

One more before I go

SUPERVISION by an adult the entire time the pool is being occupied. Do not leave children unattended for a second and if you are having a party, assign the adults a certain time to be watching the pool area so it is never unattended.

[Jim Katen]

The items listed below is what I tell my clients:

. . .

Great list. Thanks.

- Jim Katen, Oregon