New Pool code wording for barriers, comments please:
Okay - here is the proposed new wording in the pool code, take a look and comment please:
SECTION 307
BARRIER REQUIREMENTS
At SPCDC Meeting #2, the committee held extensive discussions on the Compliance Work Group Report. The WG Report included a review of both the IBC and IRC and concluded that the barrier provisions should start with the IBC text. This text of Version 2 includes aspects of the report, with revisions, with the exception of the proposed “isolation barriers”. The committee raised concerns with a requirement that all residential pools be fully isolated, however, the committee further noted the need for additional options in residential applications. This text will be undergoing further review and revision in the WG for consideration at Meeting #3 of the SPCDC.
307.1 General. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the design of barriers for all swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. These design controls are intended to provide protection against the potential drowning and near drowning by restricting access to aquatic vessels. The purpose of these requirements is to provide an integrated level of protection against potential swimming pool drowning through the use of physical barriers and warning devices.
307.2 Definitions. The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this section and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meaning shown herein.
SWIMMING POOLS Any structure intended for swimming, bathing, or wading with a designed water depth over 24 inches (610 mm) or that is connected to filtration equipment. This includes in-ground, above-ground and on-ground pools; hot tubs; spas and wading pools.
WG to review:
• Need to clarify that it applies to permanent and temporary
• Check with manufacturers as to terminology
• Don’t call it “in ground”,” above ground”, or “on ground”
• Delete minimum 24” depth. Drowning incidents occur in less than 24 inches
• Application to inflatable water parks?
BARRIERS A permanent fence, wall, building wall, or combination thereof which completely surrounds the swimming pool and obstructs the access to the swimming pool. As used within this section, permanent shall mean “not being able to be removed, lifted, or relocated without the use of a tool.
307.3 Outdoor Swimming Pools. An outdoor aquatic vessel shall be surrounded by a barrier which shall comply with Sections 307.3.1 through 307.8.
Exception: Spas or hot tubs with a lockable safety cover which complies with ASTM F 1346.
307.3.1 Barrier height and clearances. The top of the barrier shall be at least 60 inches (1524 mm) above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the aquatic vessel around the entire perimeter of the vessel and for a distance of three (3) feet measured horizontally from the required barrier. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be 2 inches (51 mm) from surfaces that are not solid, such as grass and/or gravel, and measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the vessel. Where the top of the vessel structure is above grade, the barrier is authorized to be at ground level or mounted on top of the vessel structure, and the maximum vertical clearance between the top of the vessel structure and the bottom of the barrier shall be 4 inches (102 mm). The maximum vertical clearance between a surface below the barrier to a solid surface, such as concrete, and the bottom of the required barrier shall be four (4) inches (102 mm) measured on the side of the required barrier which faces away from the vessel.
307.3.2 Openings. Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere at the maximum barrier deflection.
307.3.3 Solid barrier surfaces. Solid barriers which do not have openings shall not contain indentations or protrusions that form handholds and footholds, except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.
307.3.4 Mesh restraining barrier/fence. Mesh fences, other than chain link fences in accordance with Section 307.3.5, shall be installed per the manufacturer’s instructions and shall comply with the following:
1. The bottom of the mesh restraining barrier/fence shall not be more than 1 inch (25 mm) above the deck or installed surface (grade).
2. The maximum vertical clearance from the bottom of the mesh fence and the solid surface shall not be lifted more than four (4) inches (102 mm) from grade or decking at its maximum deflection.
3. The fence shall be designed and constructed so that it does not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere under any mesh panel when an upward force is exerted on the bottom of the panel at its maximum deflection. The maximum vertical clearance from the bottom of the mesh fence and the solid surface shall not be lifted more than four (4) inches (102 mm) from grade or decking.
4. An attachment device shall attach each barrier section at a height no lower than 45 inches (1143 mm) above grade. Common attachment devices may include, but are not limited to, devices that provide the security equal to or greater than that of a hook-and-eye-type latch incorporating a spring-actuated retaining lever which is commonly referred to as a safety gate hook.
5. Where a hinged gate is used with a mesh barrier, the gate shall meet the provisions of Section 307.4.
6. Patio deck sleeves (vertical post receptacles) placed inside the patio surface shall be of a nonconductive material.
9. Mesh fences shall not be used on top of above ground pools.
Need to coordinate “above ground” with revised definition of swimming pool.
307.3.5 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 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.
307.3.6 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 1.75 inches (44 mm) in width.
307.3.7 Chain link dimensions. The maximum opening formed by a chain link fence shall be no more than 1.75 inches. Where the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top and bottom which reduce the openings, such openings shall be no more than 1.75 inches.
The 1.75” dimension is referenced in the US Consumers Product Safety Commission handbook (Pub. No. 362. CABO did recognized 1.75. Both the IBC and the IRC use 2 ¼”. Anthropometrics confirm that 2.25” is too large of an opening.
307.3.8 Diagonal members. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall be no more than 1.75 inches (44 mm).
307.3.10 Clear Zone. There shall be a clear zone of no less than 36 inches (914 mm) between the barrier for or on a pool, spa, or hot tub and any permanent structures or pool equipment such as pumps, filters, heaters, etc. that can be used to climb the barrier.
This 36” needs to be measured from the outside of the required barrier. The Clear Zone must be present and measurable. It protects against using equipment, etc. to defeat the barrier.
307.3.11 Poolside Barrier Setbacks. The poolside of the required barrier shall not be less than twenty (20) inches from the water’s edge.
307.4 Gates. Access gates shall comply with the requirements of Sections 307.3.1 through 307.3.7 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.
307.4.1 Double or Multiple Gates. Gates with four (4) feet or greater leafs must be secured with a self-latching device and be kept locked. Double gates or multiple gates shall have at least one leaf secured in place and the adjacent leaf shall be secured with a self-latching device. 8.2. The gate and barrier shall have no opening larger than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.
307.4.2 Latches. Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches (1372 mm) from grade, 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 the gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.
The 54” height requirements needs to be reconciled with accessibility requirements. Exception 7 to IBC Section 1109.12 allows for a 48” - 54” height.