STEP
1: Consult
with your local building department or zoning office for a list
of the most up to date codes for swimming pool settings. It is here
that you will find the codes which are enforced in your area. If there
are no codes in place you may refer to publications issued by the
U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission Washington, DC or read on for
our recommendations!
STEP
2: Select
the right fence using the following guidelines. The right fence
will prevent a child from gaining access to your pool. It will prevent
a child from getting over, under, or through your barrier. We recommend
selecting a fence that you can see through and avoiding any type of
solid partition of any kind. Visibility is key in locating your child.
a) Recommended
overall height of fencing: Make sure that your fence is at least
4’ in height. The top of the barrier should be at least 48”
above grade measured on the side of the barrier which faces away
from the swimming pool. Your fence system should have no foot or
handholds that could help a young child to climb it.
b) Recommended
spacing or openings between pickets: Openings
in the fence section should not allow passage of a 4” diameter
sphere. This spacing has been set forth to prevent a child from
squeezing their head and body through a fence.
*For fences
made up of horizontal and vertical members: If the distance
between the tops of the horizontal members and bottom horizontal
members is less than 45 inches, the horizontal members should be
on the swimming pool side of the fence. The spacing of the vertical
members should not exceed 1-3/4 inches. This size is based on the
foot width of a young child. This width has been presented as a
precaution to reduce the potential for a child to gain a foothold
on the fence system. If you select a fence with decorative cutouts,
the cutout should not exceed 1-3/4 inches.
c) Recommendations
for the distance between the tops of the horizontal members and
bottom horizontal members of your fence system and recommended spacing
of such fence: If the distance between the tops of the horizontal
members and bottom horizontal members is 45 inches or greater, the
horizontal members can be on the side of the fence facing away from
the pool. The spacing between the vertical members should not exceed
4 inches. This recommendation is based on the head girth and chest
depth of a young child. This reference is intended to prevent a
child from passing through an opening. Decorative cutouts should
be limited to a span not to exceed 1-3/4”.
STEP
3: Preventing a Child from Getting Under Your Pool Fence:
The recommended maximum clearance at the bottom of the fence states
that it should not exceed 4 inches above the grade of your land. This
measurement should be taken on the side of the fence which faces away
from the pool.
STEP
4: Child Proof Gates and Latching Devices: Preventing
a child from entering into a pool is simply done by selecting gates
that restrict access to the pool. When selecting a gate keep in mind
that it should match the protocol set forth previously in steps 1,
2, and 3.
a) Pool area gates
should open out and must be self -closing and self- latching. The
proper locking mechanism must be included in the gate design. If
a gate is properly designed, even if the gate is not completely
latched, a young child pushing on the gate in order to enter the
pool area will at least close the gate and may actually engage the
latching device.
b) Pool area gates
and release mechanisms: Set all release mechanisms of the self-latching
device 3 inches below the top of the gate on the side of the fence
which faces the pool. This recommendation is set forth for fencing
which is less than 54 inches in height measuring from the bottom
of the gate. Placing the release mechanism at this height will prevent
a young child from reaching over the top of a gate to disengage
the latching device.
*Keep in mind
that the gate of the fence should have no opening greater that ½
inch within 18 inches of the latch release mechanism. This prevents
a young child from reaching in through the gate and will prevent
him from releasing the latching mechanism.
STEP
5: Double
Check: After selecting the proper fence and gate system for your
application double check your options with these simple questions;
- Can a child sneak
under the fence?
- Can a child climb
or jump over the fence?
- Can a child get
through the fence?
- Can a child disengage
my gate locking system?
- What back up
system is needed to prevent entry into my pool?
A) Consider an alarm
system for all exit doors leading to your pool: Place an alarm system
on all exit doors which provide access to the pool. There are numerous
companies which can assist you in placing an audible alarm warning
buzzer which will sound off if any doors have been exited. This type
of system can serve as an excellent back up to your fence system.
The alarm should sound for 30 seconds or more within 7 seconds after
the door is opened.
B) Install a child
safe pool cover. The proper cover should be in place when the pool
is not in use. Select a cover that can easily accommodate the weight
of an adult.
C) Install Life
Saving Equipment at Pool Side. Check with your local pool company
or Red Cross agency for life saving equipment.
D) Remove toys from
the pool when it is not in use.
E) Never prop open
the gates to the pool.
