Pool Fence Safety

About Pool Safety Fence and B.O.C.A. Code... The information contained on this page is intended as a general overview of pool fencing safety codes and may not apply to you. It is vital that, before ordering, you check your local laws and regulations as they may vary from the B.O.C.A. standards. It is also a good idea to check with your home owners insurance company as they may have their own requirements. We are not responsible if the fence you order does not meet your local codes.

The Building Officials and Code Administrators (B.O.C.A.) outline strong safety measures for swimming pool safety fences. Many communities throughout the world have adopted these standards as their own in an effort to minimize and, hopefully, eliminate accidental drowning of children.

Note: The International Residential Code (IRC) has the exact same requirements for pool safety fencing, so all of our pool fences meet that code, too.

The most important items are these:

• The fence must be at least 48" tall
• The mid-rail must be at least 45" above the bottom rail. So some fence styles, if chosen, may have to be taller than 48"
• The spacing between pickets must be less than 4"
• The space between the bottom rail and the ground must be less than 4"
• The gate(s) must be self-closing
• The gate(s) must be self-latching
• The gate(s) need to open out (away from the pool area)
• The opening mechanism of the latch must be at least 54" above ground

Some Guidelines for Swimming Pool Barriers**

pool barrier should be at least 48" above grade
eliminate handholds and footholds and minimize the size of the openings
For a solid barrier
- No indentations or protrusions should be present, other than normal construction tolerances
For a barrier made up of horizontal and vertical members
- If the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45", the horizontal members should be on the swimming pool side of the fence.
- The spacing of the vertical members should not exceed 1-3/4". This size is based on the foot width of a young child and intended to reduce the potential for a child to gaina foothold.
- The spacing between the vertical members should not exceed 4". This size is based on the head breadth and chest depth of a young child and is intended to prevent a young child from passing through an opening.
The maximum clearance at the bottom of the barrier should not exceed 4" above the grade.

Gates

should open out from the pool
should be self-closing and self-latching
the release mechanism of the gate should be at least 54" from the bottom of the gate. This keeps a young child from reaching the latch and getting to the pool.

Fence constructed with aluminum are a perfect choice to surround your pool. The aluminum construction eliminates rust, while its finish withstands the moisture and chemicals found in a pool environment. In addition, these pickets have less than 4" between them, so children cannot squeeze through.

Boca Codes

421.10 Enclosures for private swimming pools, spas and hot tubs:

Private swimming pools, spas and hot tubs shall be enclosed in accordance with Sections 421.10.1 through 421.10.4 or by other approved barriers. 421.10.1 Outdoor private swimming pool:

Pool Fence Safety