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Barriers compliance
Barriers are required to fully enclose water recreation facilities except for spray pools (splash pads) that do not have any ponding of water. Pool barriers, including fences, windows, doors, gates and walls surrounding a Water Recreation Facility must comply with the Water Recreation Facilities Code WAC 246-260.
Why are fully enclosing barriers important around a pool?
Proper barriers prevent unsupervised children from getting into pools and spas and becoming seriously injured or even dying, particularly from drowning but also from other safety hazards.
Children are adept at getting through barriers, so it's important the barriers comply with code to protect children:
- 50 percent of children 7-1/2 years old can reach a latch at a 60 inch height.
- 95 percent of children under the age of nine are able
to get through a six inch opening in a fence. - Children can easily climb chain link fences where larger openings
allow for hand and foot holds.
Barriers at pools that are not continuously lifeguarded
- Door and gate latches must be continuously locked, coded or have another equivalent access control system that always requires a key or code to enter the pool area if latches are placed below 60 inches above the ground.
- Doors and gates are not required to be continuously locked if latches are placed 60 inches or more above the ground. Consult with your local building department before raising latches to assure latch height does not create conflicts with Building Codes or The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA may not allow a latch raised above 48 inches.
- Doors and gates at pools and spas that are not continuously lifeguarded must be self-closing and self-latching . Immediately repair doors and gates if self-closing or self-latching mechanisms are not working.
Barriers at all pools
- Existing fences, gates, doors, and windows entering into the pool must not allow a 4 inch diameter sphere to pass through.
- Chain link mesh size must not exceed 1-1/4 inches. When the chain link exceeds 1-1/4 inches, slats must be inserted to reduce mesh opening.
- The structural or decorative horizontal members of the barrier must be 45 inches apart or greater, or otherwise designed to prevent creating a ladder effect allowing unauthorized access into the facility.