Investing in any large home upgrade needs to be done with care. The last thing anyone wants is to spend a lot of money, just to be told that their investment was wasted because their new pool or extension just doesn’t meet building codes.
So if you’re in the market to finally put in your very own in-ground pool this year, it’s imperative that you brush up on the health and safety requirements essential to your area. Every state has its own particular requirements, but there are a few consistent rules that you’ll need to ensure your design features:
A Barrier
One of the first and most critical health and safety features required of all pools is the barrier. This means a full fence that surrounds the pool. It needs to be permanent and non-climbable, meaning it needs to be at least 48 inches high. The good news is that you aren’t doomed to have a fence block your view of your pool. Instead, you can get glass pool fencing installed that adequately surrounds your pool, is made of durable and strengthened reinforced glass, and, most importantly, keeps the view clear.
Self-Latching Gates
It isn’t just the barrier or fence that needs to meet health and safety standards. You’ll also need to ensure that the door must self-close and must self-latch. The latching mechanism itself also needs to be between 40 and 54 inches above the ground, depending on your location.
This, along with the fence height requirements, are specifically designed to prevent unauthorized access by small children.
Safety Covers
Safety covers, which are pool covers that are capable of holding someone’s (usually a child’s) weight, are highly recommended, with some jurisdictions requiring them. You may be able to use a safety cover instead of a full fence, but again, check your area’s specific local legislation and requirements.
Top Tip: Increasingly, homeowners are looking to invest in automatic pool covers for several reasons. Not only will your pool benefit from being covered when not in use, which in turn keeps it the right temperature and cleaner, reducing the effort and cost of maintaining it, but you also improve the overall safety of your pool as well.
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters
The last thing anyone wants when enjoying some time in a pool is to get shocked. That’s why you need to ensure (and have checked) that all outdoor electrical equipment comes with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, or GFCI.
Door Alarms
While your home should be alarmed as standard anyway, know it’s a legal requirement in some areas (like Florida) to ensure that any door or window that has direct access to a pool area has an audible alarm.
Non-Slip Materials
The surroundings of pools must feature non-slip or textured walkways to reduce the risk of injury. The good news is that these materials also tend to be low-maintenance, allowing you to more easily improve the safety and convenience of your pool.