Access Gates Additional Requirements: Swimming Pool Access gatesWhen the release mechanism of the self- latching device is located less than 54 inches from the Installation bottom of the gate, the release mechanism shall be located PERMITS-A permit is required prior to the installation, Requirements on the pool side of the gate, at least 3 inches below the alteration or enlargement of all pools meeting the top of the gate and the gate and barrier shall not have an specifications outlined in the beginning of this brochure. opening greater than a 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the (Residential Only - release mechanism. When a wall of the dwelling serves as For Public/Semi - part of the barrier: PLAN-Two sets of plans, accurately showing the Public Pools, see: dimensions and construction method of the pool, including vertical elevations and sections through the pool showing MGL 140, Sec 206 depth, and appurtenances, are required with the submittal & 105 CMR 435) of a permit. A certified plot plan showing established All doors with direct access to the pool through that property lines, the locations of buildings, walks and fences wall shall be equipped with an alarm which produces an and details of water supply systems, drainage, water audible warning when the door and its screen, if present, disposal systems and all appurtenances pertaining to the are opened. Almost half the children involved in drown- pool on the property shall also be submitted with the ing or near-drowning accidents gained access to the permit. pool from inside the dwelling through a hinged or sliding door. LOCATION-The pool and any structural deck shall be An audible alarm on the doors leading to the pool area is located a minimum of 10 feet from the side and rear of the intended to provide a warning to a property lines, not located in the front yard and limited to supervising adult that the pool area has the maximum 20% lot coverage requirement been entered.
The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds, with a mini- WATER TREATMENT-Pool water turnover shall be at mum sound pressure rating of 85 dBA least once every 18 hours. Filters shall not filter water at a at ten feet. The sound of the alarm rate in excess of 5 gallons per minute per square foot of shall be distinctive from other household sounds, such as surface area. Board of Health a smoke alarm, telephones and door bells. The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions and shall be I would like to install a equipped with manual means, such as touches or switch- DRAINAGE SYSTEMS-Pool and equipment shall be swimming pool in my es, to deactivate temporarily the alarm for a single open- constructed to be completely emptied of water and the yard, what do I need to ing from either direction. Such deactivation shall last for discharged water shall be disposed of in an approved know? not more than 15 seconds. The deactivation touch pads or manner that will not create a nuisance to adjoining switches shall be located at least 54 inches above the properties. T o w n o f threshold of the door OR the pool shall be equipped with F a l m o u t h an approved power safety cover. Inspectional S e r v i c e s
5 0 8 - 4 9 5 - 7 4 7 0
Above Ground Pools T h e Barriers (including fences and walls) surrounding above ground pools shall be at least 48 inches (4 feet ) tall, Importance of measured from the level ground on the side of the barrier P o o l facing away from the pool. If the sides of the pool are Installation 48 inches the pool can Regulations serve as the barrier. If not, a barrier shall be mounted to the top of the pool structure to equal 48 inches. If this method is chosen, the maxi- In light of the many tragedies involving the drowning of mum vertical clearance between the top of the pool and the small children in backyard pools the Inspectional Services bottom of the barrier shall be no more than 4 inches. Department would like all homeowners interested in in- stalling pools in their yards to be aware of the importance When an above ground pool is used as part of a barrier, or of following installation regulations. when the barrier is mounted on top of the pool and access into the pool is a fixed or removable ladder or steps, the Some of these important regulations involve the placement ladder or steps shall also be surrounded by a barrier, which The maximum vertical clearance between the level and size of protective barriers surrounding the pool and meets the requirements of being at least 48 inches tall. ground and the bottom of the barrier shall be no great- also self-closing, self-latching gates. The following pro- er than 2 inches, again, measured on the side of the visions are intended to provide protection against small barrier which faces away from the pool. children, who may enter a pool without adult supervision. When lattice-type fencing is used All pools are subject to the regulations cited in the 2009 as the barrier material the maxi- International Residential Code Appendix G, AG101- mum opening formed by the diag- AG108, unless the pool is less than 24 inches deep. onal members shall be not more Pools that are not equipped with a permanent water- than 1 3/4 inches. recirculating systems or do not involve structural materials If chain link fencing is used, the are also exempt from these provisions. Primarily this In-ground Pools maximum mesh size shall be 1 exempts: small plastic or inflatable children’s pools, spas When stockade-type fencing is used as the barrier material 1/4 inch square, unless the fence or hot tubs with an approved safety cover, and fixtures and the distance between the tops of the horizontal mem- is provided with slats fastened at which are drained after each use. bers is 45 inches or more, spacing between vertical mem- the top or the bottom, which reduce the openings to not bers shall not exceed 4 inches. When the distance between more than 1 3/4 inches. These dimension restrictions are the tops of the vertical members is less than 45 inches, the intended to reduce the potential for a child to gain a horizontal members shall be located on the swimming pool foothold or handhold to climb the fence. side of the fence, to keep chil- Solid barriers shall not contain indentations or protru- dren from climbing the fence sions, except for normal construction tolerances and like a ladder to enter tooled masonry joints. All barriers shall be located where the pool area. Spacing be- Horizontal slats: less than 45 inches no permanent structures, equipment or similar objects tween vertical members of between tops. Vertical slats: may be used to climb the barriers. Pumps and other this type of fence shall not 1 3/4 inches or less between each slat. equipment located adjacent to the pool present a hazard exceed 1 3/4 inches in width, and decorative cut outs in that the pump may provide a means by which small shall not exceed 1 3/4 inches in width. children could climb and gain access to the pool.