Pool Regulations
"Thank you! The fence looks great." --Dawn B., Provo UT
Pool Regulations
| THE BOCA
NATIONAL BUILDING CODE/1999 |
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| 421.10.1 Enclosures for private swimming pools:
Private swimming pools shall be enclosed in accordance with Sections
421.10.1 or by other approved barriers. |
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| 421.10.1 Outdoor private swimming pool: An
outdoor-private swimming pool, including an in-ground, above-ground or
on-ground pool, hot tub or spa shall be provided with a barrier which
shall comply with the following. |
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| 1. The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches above
finished ground level measured on the side of the barrier which faces
away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between
finished ground level and the barrier shall be 2 inches measured on the
side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool. Where the
top of the pool structure is above finished ground level, such as an
above-ground pool, the barrier shall be at finished ground level, such
as the pool structure, or shall be mounted on top of the pool structure.
Where the barrier is mounted on the pool structure, the opening between
the top surface of the pool frame and the bottom of the barrier shall
not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere. |
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| 2. Openings in the barrier shall not allow
passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere. |
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| 3. Solid barriers shall not contain indentations
or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and tooled
masonry joints. |
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| 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, the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool
side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed
1-3/4 inches. Decorative cutouts shall not exceed 1-3/4 inches in width. |
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| 5. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal
and vertical members and the distance between the tops of the horizontal
members is 45 inches or more, spacing between vertical members shall
not exceed 4 inches. Decorative cutouts shall not exceed 13/4 inches in
width. |
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| 6. Maximum mesh
size for chain link fences shall be a 11/4-inch square unless the fence
is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce
the openings to not more than 13/4 inches. |
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| 7. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal
members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the
diagonal members shall be not more than 13/4 inches. |
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| 8. Access gates shall comply with the
requirements of items 1 through 7 of Section 421.10.1, and shall be
equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall
open outwards away from the pool and shall be equipped to accommodate a
locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall open outwards 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 from the bottom of the gate: (a) the release
mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3
inches below the top of the gate; and (b) the gate and barrier shall not
have an opening greater than ½ inch within 18 inches of the release
mechanism. |
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| 9. Where a
wall of a dwelling unit serves as part of the barrier and contains a
door that provides direct access to the pool, one of the following shall
apply: |
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| 9.1. All doors
with direct access to the pool through that wall shall be equipped with
an alarm which produces an audible warning when the door and its screen,
if present, are opened. The audible warning shall commence not more
than 7 seconds after the door and door screen, if present, are opened
and shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds. The alarm
shall have a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dBA
at 10 feet and the sound of the alarm shall be distinctive from other
household sounds such as smoke alarms, telephones and door bells. The
alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions. The alarm shall be
equipped with manual means, such as touch-pads or switches, to
deactivate temporarily the alarm for a single opening from either
direction. Such deactivation shall last for not more than 15 seconds.
The deactivation touch-pads or switches shall be located at least 54
inches above the threshold of the door. |
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| 9.2. All doors with direct access to the pool
through that wall shall be equipped with a self-closing and
self-latching device with the release mechanism located a minimum of 54
inches above the floor. Swinging doors shall open away from the pool
area. |
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| 9.3. The pool
shall be equipped with a power safety cover. Where in a closed position,
the cover shall be capable of holding a weight of 485 pounds, shall not
have any openings that allow passage of a 41/2 inch sphere and shall
incorporate a system to drain standing water that collects on the cover.
The cover control switch shall be permanently installed in accordance
with NFPA 70 listed in Chapter 35, and be
key-operated and of a spring-loaded or momentary-contact type. Where the
switch is released, the operation of the cover shall stop instantly and
be capable of reversing direction immediately. The switch shall be in
the line of sight of the complete pool cover. |
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| 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 fixed or removable ladder or steps, the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of items 1 through 9 of Section 421.10.1. A removable ladder shall not constitute an acceptable alternative to enclosure requirements. |