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Pool Barrier Florida Style FBC/IBC

jar546

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Oct 16, 2009
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Not where I really want to be
If you are not in Florida, the pool capital of the world, you probably don't have section 454 of the IBC. Here is a small section about pool barriers. What are your thoughts on this section?

454.1.3.1.9​

All public pools shall be surrounded by a minimum 48 inch (1219 mm) high fence or other approved substantial barrier. The fence shall be continuous around the perimeter of the pool area that is not otherwise blocked or obstructed by adjacent buildings or structures and shall adjoin with itself or abut to the adjacent members. Access through the barrier or fence from dwelling units, such as homes, apartments, motel rooms and hotel rooms, shall be through self-closing, self-latching lockable gates of 48 inch (1219 mm) minimal height from the floor or ground with the latch located a minimum of 54 inches (1372 mm) from the bottom of the gate or at least 3 inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate on the pool side. If the self-closing, self-latching gate is also self-locking and is operated by a key lock, electronic opener or integral combination lock, then the operable parts of such locks or openers shall be 34 inches minimum (864 mm) and 48 inches maximum (1219 mm) above the finished floor or ground. Doored access points from public rooms such as lobbies or club houses need not be through gates if the door(s) meet the same self-closing, self-latching requirements as a gate. Operable parts used for opening doors at these access points shall be 45 inches (1143 mm) minimum to 48 inches (1220 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground. Gates shall open outward away from the pool area. A latched, lockable gate shall be placed in the fence within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the closest point between the pool and the equipment area for service access.

Instead of a fence, permanent natural or manmade features such as bulkheads, canals, lakes, navigable waterways, etc., adjacent to a pool may be permitted as a barrier when approved. When evaluating such barrier features, the applicable governing body may perform on-site inspections, and review evidence, such as surveys, aerial photographs, water management agency standards and specifications, and any other similar documentation to verify at minimum, the following: the barrier feature is not subject to natural changes, deviations or alterations and is capable of providing an equivalent level of protection as that provided by a structure, and the barrier feature clearly impedes, prohibits or restricts access to the pool.

Screened pool enclosures must be hardened on the bottom 3 feet (914 mm). Fencing consideration shall be given to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Publication, No. 362, March 2005, guidelines available from CPSC.gov; or Sections 454.2.17.1.1 through 454.2.17.1.8. Safety covers that comply with ASTM F1346-91 (Reapproved 2003), titled Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, and available from ASTM.org, do not satisfy this requirement.
 
I's a lot more lax than the 2018 ISPSC that we use. Odd the fences are only required around public pools, and it does not say where to measure the 48" from. It's odd that there are requirements for gates for homes when there is a gate, but a gate or any barriers or fences are not required for a home. A 48" high gate would be required for a 24" high fence???
Also, it doesn't say this rule is just for outdoor pools. Is there a definition of public pools or pool? The ISPSC has requirements for both swimming pools and spas.

ISPSC Section 305 Barrier Requirements (notice no requirements for indoor swimming pools and spas).

305.1 General
The provisions of this section shall apply to the design of barriers for restricting entry into areas having pools and spas. Where spas or hot tubs are equipped with a lockable safety cover complying with ASTM F1346 and swimming pools are equipped with a powered safety cover that complies with ASTM F1346, the areas where those spas, hot tubs or pools are located shall not be required to comply with Sections 305.2 through 305.7.

305.2 Outdoor Swimming Pools and Spas
Outdoor pools and spas and indoor swimming pools shall be surrounded by a barrier that complies with Sections 305.2.1 through 305.7.

305.2.1 Barrier Height and Clearances
Barrier heights and clearances shall be in accordance with all of the following:
1. The top of the barrier shall be not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa. Such height shall exist around the entire perimeter of the barrier and for a distance of 3 feet (914 mm) measured horizontally from the outside of the required barrier.
2. The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 2 inches (51 mm) for grade surfaces that are not solid, such as grass or gravel, where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa.
3. The vertical clearance between a surface below the barrier to a solid surface, such as concrete, and the bottom of the required barrier shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm) where measured on the side of the required barrier that faces away from the pool or spa.
4. Where the top of the pool or spa structure is above grade, the barrier shall be installed on grade or shall be mounted on top of the pool or spa structure. Where the barrier is mounted on the top of the pool or spa, the vertical clearance between the top of the pool or spa and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm).

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

305.2.3 Solid Barrier Surfaces
Solid barriers that do not have openings shall not contain indentations or protrusions that form handholds and footholds, except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.

305.2.4 Mesh Fence as a Barrier
Mesh fences, other than chain link fences in accordance with Section 305.2.7, shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and shall comply with the following:
1. The bottom of the mesh fence shall be not more than 1 inch (25 mm) above the deck or installed surface or grade.
2. The maximum vertical clearance from the bottom of the mesh fence and the solid surface shall not permit the fence to be lifted more than 4 inches (102 mm) from grade or decking.
3. The fence shall be designed and constructed so that it does not allow passage of a 4-inch (102 mm) sphere under any mesh panel. The maximum vertical clearance from the bottom of the mesh fence and the solid surface shall be not greater than 4 inches (102 mm) from grade or decking.
4. An attachment device shall attach each barrier section at a height not lower than 45 inches (1143 mm) above grade. Common attachment devices 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 such as a safety gate hook.
5. Where a hinged gate is used with a mesh fence, the gate shall comply with Section 305.3.
6. Patio deck sleeves such as vertical post receptacles that are placed inside the patio surface shall be of a nonconductive material.
7. Mesh fences shall not be installed on top of onground residential pools.
 
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305.2.5 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 pool or spa 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.

305.2.6 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, the interior width of the cutouts shall not exceed 13/4 inches (44 mm).

305.2.7 Chain Link Dimensions
The maximum opening formed by a chain link fence shall be not more than 13/4 inches (44 mm). Where the fence is provided with slats fastened at the top and bottom that reduce the openings, such openings shall be not greater than 13/4 inches (44 mm).

305.2.8 Diagonal Members
Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal members shall be not greater than 13/4 inches (44 mm). The angle of diagonal members shall be not greater than 45 degrees (0.79 rad) from vertical.

305.2.9 Clear Zone
There shall be a clear zone of not less than 36 inches (914 mm) between the exterior of the barrier and any permanent structures or equipment such as pumps, filters and heaters that can be used to climb the barrier.

305.2.10 Poolside Barrier Setbacks
The pool or spa side of the required barrier shall be not less than 20 inches (508 mm) from the water's edge.

305.3 Gates
Access gates shall comply with the requirements of Sections 305.3.1 through 305.3.3 and shall be equipped to accommodate a locking device. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device.

305.3.1 Utility or Service Gates
Gates not intended for pedestrian use, such as utility or service gates, shall remain locked when not in use.

305.3.2 Double or Multiple Gates
Double gates or multiple gates shall have not fewer than one leaf secured in place and the adjacent leaf shall be secured with a selflatching device. The gate and barrier shall not have openings larger than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the latch release mechanism. The self-latching device shall comply with the requirements of Section 305.3.3.

305.3.3 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 or spa side of the gate not less than 3 inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and the gate and barrier shall not have openings greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.

305.4 Structure Wall as a Barrier
Where a wall of a dwelling or structure serves as part of the barrier and where doors or windows provide direct access to the pool or spa through that wall, one of the following shall be required:
1. Operable windows having a sill height of less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above the indoor finished floor and doors shall have an alarm that produces an audible warning when the window, door or their screens are opened. The alarm shall be listed and labeled as a water hazard entrance alarm in accordance with UL 2017. In dwellings or structures not required to be Accessible units, Type A units or Type B units, the operable parts of the alarm deactivation switches shall be located 54 inches (1372 mm) or more above the finished floor. In dwellings or structures required to be Accessible units, Type A units or Type B units, the operable parts of the alarm deactivation switches shall be located not greater than 54 inches (1372 mm) and not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above the finished floor.
2. A safety cover that is listed and labeled in accordance with ASTM F1346 is installed for the pools and spas.
3. An approved means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, is provided. Such means of protection shall provide a degree of protection that is not less than the protection afforded by Item 1 or 2.

305.5 Onground Residential Pool Structure as a Barrier
An onground residential pool wall structure or a barrier mounted on top of an onground residential pool wall structure shall serve as a barrier where all of the following conditions are present:
1. Where only the pool wall serves as the barrier, the bottom of the wall is on grade, the top of the wall is not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, the wall complies with the requirements of Section 305.2 and the pool manufacturer allows the wall to serve as a barrier.
2. Where a barrier is mounted on top of the pool wall, the top of the barrier is not less than 48 inches (1219 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, and the wall and the barrier on top of the wall comply with the requirements of Section 305.2.
3. Ladders or steps used as means of access to the pool are capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access except where the ladder or steps are surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of Section 305.
4. Openings created by the securing, locking or removal of ladders and steps do not allow the passage of a 4-inch (102 mm) diameter sphere.
5. Barriers that are mounted on top of onground residential pool walls are installed in accordance with the pool manufacturer's instructions.

305.6 Natural Barriers
In the case where the pool or spa area abuts the edge of a lake or other natural body of water, public access is not permitted or allowed along the shoreline, and required barriers extend to and beyond the water's edge not less than 18 inches (457 mm), a barrier is not required between the natural body of water shoreline and the pool or spa.

305.7 Natural Topography
Natural topography that prevents direct access to the pool or spa area shall include but not be limited to mountains and natural rock formations. A natural barrier approved by the governing body shall be acceptable provided that the degree of protection is not less than the protection afforded by the requirements of Sections 305.2 through 305.5.
 
305.3.3 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 or spa side of the gate not less than 3 inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and the gate and barrier shall not have openings greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.
That seems like a worthless bit of code. It should be no openings within 18" of the latch.
 
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