Pool Requirements

Please download and complete the Swimming Pool Barrier Agreement. Upon completion please print the agreement form and bring it into the Building & Codes office.

All outdoor pools, spas and hot tubs with water over 24" deep, must be protected with a barrier as outlined below:

Height:

• 48" minimum above grade measured from the outside face of the barrier.

Openings:

• 2" maximum between grade and bottom of barrier

• 4" maximum between top of above-ground pool wall and bottom of barrier when barrier is attached to top of pool wall.

• All other openings shall not allow the passage of a 4" diameter sphere.

Climability:

• Solid barriers (stone walls, etc.) must have no protrusions or indentations.

• Horizontal members less than 45" apart must be located on the inside face of the barrier. In such cases, the space between corresponding vertical members must be 1.75" or less.

• Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 2.25-inch square unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings to not more than 1.75".

• Decorative cut-outs within a vertical member must not have openings greater than 1.75".

Access Gates:

• Must meet height, opening and climb ability requirements for barriers.

• Must be self-closing and self-latching, and must open outward away from pool.

• Latches less than 54" from the bottom of the gate must be located on pool side at least 3" from top of the gate. There shall be no openings 1/2" or greater within 18" of the latch.

• Latches located greater than 54" from the bottom of the gate may be located on both sides.

Door Alarms:

(equipped on doors which open from house directly to pool area)

• Must sound immediately and continuously for 30 seconds.

• Must be heard throughout the house.

• Must reset automatically

• Must be able to be temporarily, but not permanently deactivated. Mechanism to deactivate must be 54" above the door threshold.

Spas & Hot Tubs:

• Safety covers may be substituted for barriers provided such covers meet standard ASTM F1346.

• Mechanism to deactivate must be 54" above the door threshold.

Entrapment Protection:

• Suction Outlets shall be designed to produce circulation throughout the pool or spa shall be protected against user entrapment.

• Shall be protected by a 12” X 12” drain grate or larger or equivalent that meets ANSI/ASME A112.19.8M or an approved channel drain system.

• Atmospheric vacuum relief system required. Should grate covers become missing or broken? The vacuum relief system shall include at least one approved or engineered method:

  • Safety vacuum release system conforming to ASME a112.19.17 or an approved gravity drainage system.

• Dual Drain Separation:

  • Minimum of 2 suction outlets of the approved type.

  • Minimum distance of 3 ft horizontal or vertical separation between suction outlets.

  • They shall be piped so that water is drawn through them simultaneously through a vacuum relief-protected line to the pump or pumps.

• Pool Cleaner fittings shall be located in an accessible position(s) at least 6 inches and not greater than 12 inches below operational water level or as an attachment to the skimmers.