Pool Fencing – Designs and Regulations
Find the best deals on the type of pool fencing that’s right for your home. Pool fencing is such an important part of swimming pool ownership that it’s become part of local building codes in all 50 states. Every year, hundreds of children drown in swimming pools. The majority of the victims were between 1 and 3 years old. These accidents can happen fast and quietly, and the sad thing is that most of them were preventable. Pets are also in danger of drowning. Swimming pool fencing can help you avoid a family tragedy.
Pool fences are usually ornamental in appearance to give an aesthetically pleasing effect to a legal necessity. Aluminum pool fence is a very popular choice. It looks good and is very durable despite being exposed to sun and moisture year around. Pool chemicals give off vapors, and children splashing will drench the fencing with chlorinated water. Aluminum pool fence takes all this stride and comes out looking great. You can buy it with the typical silver-gray finish, or opt for a black anodized coating that makes it look like wrought iron pool fencing if you have a more traditional décor approach on the exterior of your home.
Mesh pool fence is usually made from PVC vinyl. Like aluminum pool fences, mesh pool fencing is zero maintenance and holds up well against weather and pool chemicals. Vinyl pool fence has the added advantage of a wide choice of colors and designs so that you can choose one for an exact match to your home.
Chain link pool fencing is practical, inexpensive, weather-proof, and chemical-proof. It’s not as attractive as the other types, but you can get it in various finishes that can improve its appearance a bit. Because it has to be stretched, you’ll probably want to hire a professional to install this type of fence.
Glass pool fence is expensive, but it looks absolutely stunning. Typically it consists of frosted or pebble glass panels embedded in an aluminum frame. The glass is toughened to resist breakage. The downside in addition to its expense is that it needs to be cleaned frequently, so it’s probably better suited for households that don’t have children or pets.
Standard regulation height for swimming pool fence is four feet, or 48 inches above the surface grade of the pool. This applies to above ground pool fence as well as in-ground types. For above ground pool fencing, the fence height should extend four feet above the lip of the pool. Local regulations may vary, so be sure to check your local building code.
The construction of pool safety fences has unique requirements making them hard for a child to climb or slide under. If the pools fence has horizontal supports, they need to be on the pool side, not the outside, so children can’t use them as a stepladder. If the vertical slats have spaces between them, the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission recommends that the slats be no wider than 1-3/4 inches so a toddler can’t get a foot between them. Clearance between the pool level grade and the bottom edge of the fence should be no more than 4 inches so a child can’t slide underneath it. For chain link pool fence, the smallest mesh opening should be used, no more than 1-1/4 inches, to prevent climbing.
Pool fence regulations from the CPSC also includes construction of gates. Pedestrian gates are any type of gate that a person walks through, including the one leading to the pool. These should close and latch automatically when you take your hands off them. A gate that opens to the outside means that a child pushing on it will simply finish the job of latching it if it’s left unlocked. Install the gate release on the pool side, at least 3 inches below the top edge. This will keep a child from reaching up over the top to unlock the gate. Be sure to install the gate so there are no cracks wide enough for a child to reach in and unlatch it.
What about doors in the house that lead directly to the pool area? This is one of the biggest dangers according to the CPSC. The best safety device for this type of situation is a sound alarm that goes off when the door is opened. There are alarms made especially for this type of application that have a unique sound so you can tell it apart from a smoke alarm, the telephone, and the doorbell. Since you’ll want to use the door yourself, the alarm should have a keypad or other deactivation device that is positioned up high and out of the reach of young children. This switch will disable the alarm, typically for about 15 seconds so you can walk through the door, and then reset itself automatically. Deactivation switches should be installed on both sides of the door.
Swimming pool safety fence regulations and recommendations apply to spas and hot tubs as well as pools, because small children can drown in less than a foot of water. The cardinal rule to remember is that children should only be allowed inside the pool fence when an alert and capable adult is present and watching closely. Good safety practices will ensure that water is always a source of fun, not danger, for your children and pets.