Pool/Spa Enclosure and Barrier Requirements

As you are aware, during the past few years' swimming pool requirements have changed often and have varied by jurisdiction. On January 1, 1998 a new Assembly Bill became law. The new law is far more stringent than any previous requirements and limits the ability of the local agencies to modify it. This law also imposes a requirement that the CONTRACTOR notify the consumer of its effects. In an effort to streamline the transition from old to new the following is an abbreviated guideline for the submittal and inspection process.

• If a portion of the house or garage is used as part of the barrier or fence, that portion shall have alarms on all the doors giving direct access to the pool area.


• Any barrier or fence shall be a minimum 60 inches above the ground and have a maximum distance of 2 inches from the ground or 4 inches from the concrete to the bottom of the barrier.


• Access gates shall open away from the pool and have a self-closing, self-latching device located no lower than 60 inches above the ground.


• Openings in the enclosure and gate shall not allow passage of a sphere greater than 4 inches.


• The outside surface of the barrier or fence shall be free of protrusions, hand and footholds, and other characteristics that could aid in climbing.


• Covers used to satisfy the barrier/fence requirements should meet all the requirements and performance standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard F1346-91. Documentation shall be provided at the time of permit application.



Alarms




Alarms shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds within 7 seconds after an exterior door is opened, and be capable of being heard throughout the house during normal household activities. The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions. The alarm may be equipped with a manual means to temporarily deactivate for a single opening. The deactivation period shall last no longer than 15 seconds. The deactivation shall be located at least 54 inches above the threshold of the door.




Glazing Requirements




Section 2406.4 (C.B.C. 2001 edition) requires safety glazing in windows and doors or walls and fences used as the barrier for indoor or outdoor swimming pools or spas when both of the following conditions are present.





1. The bottom edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches above the walking surface on the poolside of the glazing.


2. The glazing is within 5 feet of the swimming pool or spas waters edge.





Note: The intent is to prevent human impact to the glazingresulting from wet walking surfaces due to pool activity.




Items Necessary For Submittal





• Four (4) Plot Plans – Plot plans should clearly show pool equipment, distance from property lines, structures, etc. Also, easements for utilities such as phone lines, power lines and any other public utilities should be shown on this plan. Plot plan must also show location and type of barrier or fence used for pool protection or clearly show which doors will receive alarms for pool protection.


• Two (2) Complete Sets Of Structural Plans and Engineering – These plans show all structural elements of the pools construction including rebar placement and size, gunite thickness, piping placement, etc. Both the plans and the Engineer's calculations must be "wet signed" and stamped by the Engineer.





Inspection Sequence





• Pre-Gunite: During this inspection, City staff will verify that steel placement is in accordance with the approved plans, rough electrical including trenches and bonding, rough plumbing including trenches, pressure test and gas lines.


• Pre-Deck: During this inspection City staff will verify that the area surrounding the pool is complete and ready to accept the application of the pool deck.


• Pre-Plaster/Final: Prior to releasing the pool for plastering City staff will verify all elements of construction and life safety are in place and functional. Note: After completion of this inspection City staff will NOT visit the site again. At this point the pool will be deemed finished and complete. It will be the responsibility of the pool contractor to furnish the pool owner with a pre-cut non-permeable floating pool cover in compliance with City of Tracy Local Ordinance.





Note: Prefabricated fiberglass in-ground pools must have barriers and alarms installed and operational and inspected for approval immediately after excavation and prior to installation of pool. Additionally, prefabricated swimming pools in which the pool walls are entirely above adjacent grade and are in excess of 5,000 gallons must have barriers and alarms installed and operational and inspected for approval prior to filling pool with any water.




Field Verify




Pool Heater vents must terminate at least four (4) feet from property line (Per 2001 C.M.C. Section 806.7)