Updated: June 30, 2003

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 complying with the following guidelines:
 

1. The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier which 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 which faces away from the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is above ground, such as an above ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches (102 mm).

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2. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch diameter (102 mm) sphere.

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3. Solid barriers which do not have openings, such as a masonry or stone wall, shall not contain indentations or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.
    

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 (1143 mm), the horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width.

5. 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 (102mm). Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width.

Private Swimming Pool Barrier Construction
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6. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 1.25 inch (32 mm) square unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduces the openings to not more than 1.75 inches (44 mm).

7. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall not be more than 1.75 inches (44 mm).

CHAIN LINK FENCE MESH
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LATTICE BARRIER
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8. Access gates shall comply with the requirements of Section AG105.2, Items 1 through 7, and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward 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 (1372 mm) from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism and opening shall comply with the following:

   8.1	The release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and
   8.2	The gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.

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NOTE: (This view is from the pool side of the gate.)

• Latch MUST be a minimum of 3" from top of gate;
• Barrier and gate MUST not have an opening more than 1/2" within 18" of release mechanism;
• Gate MUST swing outward from pool area and be self closing;
• If release mechanism of the self latching device is less than 54" above the bottom of the gate, above conditions must be met.

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NOTE:

• Wire mesh fence to be a minimum of 16 ga welded fabric. Nominal 2" X 4" openings with 4" leg in vertical position;
• Wire mesh must be fastened on the outside of the posts and rails;
• Stabilize top of wire mesh to prevent bending over;
• Stabilize bottom of wire mesh to prevent bending up.