“Safety Is our Goal!”
Drowning Prevention Safety Information -
Fencing, Barriers and Safety Regulations
APC is providing you this important pool safety information regardless of whether or not your project is considered to be exempt from a building permit.
The California Swimming Pool Safety Act and California Building Code require the following safety measures. A swimming pool or spa located in a single-family dwelling lot shall be isolated from access from other properties by an enclosure that meets requirements of section 115923 of the California Health and Safety Code. The pool or spa shall also be equipped with at least two of the following seven drowning prevention safety features to help protect residents and guests of the private single-family home:
An enclosure that meets the requirements below and isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home:
Access gates open away from the swimming pool, and are self-closing with a self-latching device placed no lower than 60 inches above the ground.
A minimum height of 60 inches.
A maximum vertical clearance from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure of two inches.
Gaps or voids, if any, do not allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than four inches in diameter.
An outside surface free of physical characteristics that would serve as handholds or footholds that could enable a child below the age of five years to climb over.
Removable mesh fencing that meets ASTM F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.
An approved safety pool cover that meets ASTM F1346-91.
Exit alarms on the home’s doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the home’s doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
An alarm that will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water (ASTM Standard F2208).
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 ASTM or ASME standards.
The required drowning safety prevention devices shall be in place prior to filling the pool with water.
As part of our work, we may ask you to acknowledge your awareness of these drowning prevention safety features and notify us of those that you have in place.
Click here to submit the online acknowledgement form.
Click here to access the paper acknowledgement form.
Please also see the following resources about pool safety at the California Department of Public Health website.