On a hot day in the Sunshine State, there's nothing quite looking going for a dip in a swimming pool to cool off. It is unsurprising for that reason, that Florida leads the nation in the total number of residential swimming pools - estimated to be over 1.5 million! Our community is all about fun in the sun, and to keep it that way, we need to make sure everyone is safe, especially around water.
That's why the state of Florida has specific regulations in place, outlined in the Florida Building Code. These are more than just a list of technical requirements; they're a vital layer of protection for our families and neighbors. Tragically, drowning is the leading cause of death for young children in our state, and these regulations are designed to prevent those accidents.
So, what does this mean for you as a pool owner? Your pool must have a pool safety barrier. These can take several forms under the Florida Building Code to provide flexibility to suit your specific property.
- An Approved Safety Pool Cover: This is a cover that meets specific safety standards (ASTM F1346-91) and is designed to prevent a child from falling into the water. No other safety features are required when a safety pool cover is the selected safety feature for your pool.
- A Pool Barrier: This is a physical barrier that surrounds the pool/pool area and completely cuts off access to the pool. It can include a fence, wall, or other enclosure. There are several requirements very specific to the type and style of barrier, but basically it must be at least 4 feet high and the bottom of the barrier may not allow more than 4 inches of room underneath. Openings in the barrier may also not exceed 4 inches. Any gate must be self-closing and self-latching, with the release mechanism located at a height that a young child can't reach (at least 54 inches from the ground). The gate must open outward, away from the pool.
- Door and Window Alarms: If the aforementioned pool barrier does not separate the pool from your home (i.e. the pool can be accessed from your inside your residence), all doors and windows that provide access must be equipped with an alarm that sounds when opened. The alarm must have a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dBA at 10 feet. Any door providing direct access from the home to the pool must have a self-closing and self-latching device. Like with a fence gate, the release mechanism must be placed at least 54 inches above the floor.
- A Pool Alarm: Alternatively to the door and window alarms, you may choose an alarm that is placed in the pool and sounds when it detects an accidental or unauthorized entry into the water. It must be certified to meet ASTM Standard F2208 and may use surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and/or infrared detection. Please note that a pool alarm alone is not a sufficient safety barrier. That’s because these regulations don't just address young children the owner is aware of, but also other children in the community which the owner might not know are present and may access the pool when the owner isn't home to hear the alarm.
Please note that landscaping, no matter how dense, is not an acceptable pool safety feature/barrier.
The selected safety measure(s) must be in use any time there is no adult supervision of the pool. That’s why permanent features are preferable to those that have to be removed and reinstalled with every use of the pool. Importantly, removable child barriers, such as a kiddie/baby fence, shall have one end of the barrier nonremovable without the aid of tools.
Whenever you pull a pool-related permit, especially to install a new pool or spa, change the shape of an existing pool, and/or replace the associated decking, the Building Inspector may inspect the safety features to verify compliance with the Florida Building Code. Remember that passing the inspection is not the main goal though - pool safety is. That means using the safety barrier whenever the pool is unsupervised!