Safety Rules for Swimming Pool Fence
Fencing for swimming pool can serve many purposes. It can protect your pool from unwanted visitors, like the neighbor’s dog, or it can add a decorative element to your landscaping. Before you install swimming pool fences, you should consult your city and county regulations. Some places have stricter rules regard fencing than others. Your pool fence should be constructed so that it inhibits climbing over it, but maintains a sense of style.
Chain link fencing used to be the standard in pool fencing, particularly for keeping children out of the pool area. That is no longer the case. Link opening in a pool fence have to be smaller than 1-¼ inches, this size prevents a child from being able to climb over the fence. Height is also an important consideration for pool fences. Some counties or states require a height of at least 48 inches on any pool fencing. Also any gap around the gate has to be small enough that something of a 4-inch diameter cannot pass through.
One idea is to use swimming pool fences that have solid panels that you can slide between the posts. Panels can be wood, vinyl or any other material. Just remember that if the panels are not plumb, and could be used to aid climbing, it is not a pool fence that can be used. They need to form a solid wall that has no handholds or footholds, typically with a height of around 6 feet. Landscaping of this pool fencing is allowed on the inside of the pool area only. For all pool fences, you will have to pass a safety inspection.
The gate for swimming pool fences is another area of concern. They should swing close automatically and have a self-locking latch. These latches must be at the top of the pool fencing so that only an adult can reach them. Any other access door to the pool should be self-closing too, like a sliding glass door. Gates for pool fencing can be as stylish as you like as long as it meets the standard for safety. Lightweight woods are a popular pool fencing choice since they are stylish and resistant to moisture and insects. Many woods are also a perfect choice for pool fencing since they have natural oils that eliminate the need for wood sealers. Any other requirements for pool fences can be found in your local regulations.