Residential swimming pools shall comply with Sections
3109.4.1 through 3109.4.3.
3109.4.1
Barrier height and
clearances. The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches (1219 mm)
above grade measured on the side of the barrier that 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 that
faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above
grade, the barrier is authorized to be at ground level or mounted on top of the
pool structure, and the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool
structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches (102 mm).
3109.4.1.1
Openings. Openings in
the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm)
sphere.
3109.4.1.2
Solid
barrier surfaces. Solid barriers which do not have openings shall not
contain indentations or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances
and tooled masonry joints.
3109.4.1.3
Closely spaced horizontal
members. 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
13/4 inches (44 mm) in
width.
3109.4.1.4
Widely
spaced horizontal members. 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.
3109.4.1.5
Chain link
dimensions. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a
21/4 inch square (57 mm
square) unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the
bottom which reduce the openings to no more than
13/4 inches (44
mm).
3109.4.1.6
Diagonal
members. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, the maximum
opening formed by the diagonal members shall be no more than
13/4 inches (44
mm).
3109.4.1.7
Gates. Access doors or gates shall comply with the requirements of
Sections 3109.4.1.1 through 3109.4.1.6 and shall be equipped to accommodate a
locking device. Pedestrian access doors or gates shall open outward away from
the pool and shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device. Doors or
gates other than pedestrian access doors or gates shall have a self-latching
device. Release mechanisms shall be in accordance with Sections 1008.1.9 and
1109.12. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located
less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the bottom of the door or gate, the release
mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the door or gate at least 3
inches (76 mm) below the top of the door or gate, and the door or gate and
barrier shall have no opening greater than
1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18
inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.
3109.4.1.8
Dwelling wall as a
barrier. Where a wall of a
dwelling serves as part of
the barrier, one of the following shall apply:
1. Doors with direct access to the pool
through that wall shall be equipped with an alarm that produces an audible
warning when the door and/or its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm
shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2017. In
dwellings not required to be Accessible
units, Type A units or Type B
units, the deactivation switch shall be located 54 inches (1372 mm) or
more above the threshold of the door. In dwellings required to be
Accessible
units, Type A
units or Type B units, the deactivation switch(es)
shall be located at 54 inches (1372 mm) maximum and 48 inches (1219 mm) minimum
above the threshold of the door.
2.
The pool shall be equipped with a power safety cover that complies with ASTM F
1346.
3. Other means of protection,
such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, which are
approved, shall be accepted so long as the degree of
protection afforded is not less than the protection afforded by Section
3109.4.1.8, Item 1 or 2.
3109.4.1.9
Pool structure as
barrier. Where an aboveground 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, then the ladder or steps either shall be capable
of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access, or the ladder or steps
shall be surrounded by a barrier which meets the requirements of Sections
3109.4.1.1 through 3109.4.1.8. 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.
3109.4.2
Indoor swimming pools.
Walls surrounding indoor swimming pools shall not be required to comply with
Section 3109.4.1.8.
3109.4.3
Prohibited locations. Barriers shall be located so as to prohibit
permanent structures, equipment or similar objects from being used to climb the
barriers.
