There are new laws regarding residential pools for 2018 -- they currently don't apply unless you're pulling permits to have your pool remodeled (or installing a new pool), but like many laws could migrate to being the norm. And if you have small children, grandchildren, or guests with small children, it might be a good idea to consider some of the following items (including a secondary drain, to avoid suction-related incidents):
Here is the text of the new law (CA SB-442).
Section 115922 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:
115922. (a) Except as provided in Section 115925, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a
new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family
home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with at least two of the following seven drowning prevention safety features:
(1) An enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool or spa from
the private single-family home.
(2) Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications
F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key
lockable device.
(3) An approved safety pool cover, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 115921.
(4) Exit alarms on the private single-family home’s doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or
spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning, such as a repeating notification that “the door to the pool is open.”
(5) A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the
floor on the private single-family home’s doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
(6) An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or
unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM
Standard F2208 “Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms,” which includes surface motion,
pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared type alarms. A swimming protection alarm feature designed for individual
use, including an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water, is not a qualifying drowning prevention safety feature.
(7) Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features set forth above and has been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those features established by the ASTM or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
(b) Before the issuance of a final approval for the completion of permitted construction or remodeling work,
the local building code official shall inspect the drowning safety prevention features required by this section
and, if no violations are found, shall give final approval.
Here is the text of the new law (CA SB-442).
Section 115922 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:
115922. (a) Except as provided in Section 115925, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a
new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family
home, the respective swimming pool or spa shall be equipped with at least two of the following seven drowning prevention safety features:
(1) An enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool or spa from
the private single-family home.
(2) Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications
F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key
lockable device.
(3) An approved safety pool cover, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 115921.
(4) Exit alarms on the private single-family home’s doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or
spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning, such as a repeating notification that “the door to the pool is open.”
(5) A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the
floor on the private single-family home’s doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
(6) An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or
unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM
Standard F2208 “Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms,” which includes surface motion,
pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared type alarms. A swimming protection alarm feature designed for individual
use, including an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water, is not a qualifying drowning prevention safety feature.
(7) Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features set forth above and has been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those features established by the ASTM or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
(b) Before the issuance of a final approval for the completion of permitted construction or remodeling work,
the local building code official shall inspect the drowning safety prevention features required by this section
and, if no violations are found, shall give final approval.
RSS Feed