An outdoor swimming pool shall be provided with a barrier that shall be installed, inspected and approved prior to plastering or filling with water. The barrier shall comply with the following.
(A) The top of the barrier shall be at least six feet above grade measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall be two inches measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance at the bottom of the barrier may be increased to four inches when grade is a solid surface such as a concrete deck, or when the barrier is mounted on the top of the aboveground pool structure. When barriers have horizontal members spaced less than 45 inches apart, the horizontal members shall be placed on the pool side of the barrier. Any decorative design work on the side away from the swimming pool, such as protrusions, indentations or cutouts, which render the barrier easily climbable, is prohibited.
(B) Openings in the barrier shall not allow passage of a one and three-fourths-inch diameter sphere. Exceptions:
(1) When vertical spacing between the openings is 45 inches or more, the opening size may be increased such that the passage of a four-inch-diameter sphere is not allowed; and
(2) For fencing composed of vertical and horizontal members, the spacing between vertical members may be increased up to four inches when the distance between the tops of horizontal members is 45 inches or more.
(C) Chain link fences used as the barrier shall not be less than 11 gage.
(D) Pedestrian access gates shall be self-closing and have a self-latching device.
(1) Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate:
(a) The release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the barrier at least three inches below the top of the gate; and
(b) The gate and barrier shall have no opening greater than one-half-inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism.
(2) Pedestrian gates shall swing away from the pool.
(3) Any gates other than pedestrian access gates shall be equipped with lockable hardware or padlocks and shall remain locked at all times when not in use.
(E) Where a wall of a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy dwelling unit, triplex (as defined in the 1997 Uniform Building Code) serves as part of the barrier and contains door openings between the dwelling unit and the outdoor swimming pool that provide direct access to the pool, a separation fence meeting the requirements of divisions (A), (B), (C) and (D) of this section shall be provided. Exceptions: when approved by the Building Official, one of the following may be used:
(1) Self-closing and self-latching devices installed on all doors with direct access to the pool with the release mechanism located a minimum of 54 inches above the floor;
(2) An alarm installed on all doors with direct access to the pool. The alarm shall sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds within seven seconds after the door and its screen, if present, are opened, and be capable of providing a sound pressure level of not less than 85 dBa when measured indoors at ten feet. The alarm shall automatically reset under all conditions. The alarm system shall be equipped with a manual means, such as a touch pad or switch, to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening deactivation shall last no longer than 15 seconds. The deactivation switch shall be located at least 54 inches above the threshold of the door; or
(3) Other means of protection may be acceptable so long as the degree of protection afforded is not less than that afforded by any of the devices described above.
(F) Where an aboveground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then:
(1) The ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access; or
(2) The ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier that meets the requirements of divisions (A) through (E) above. When the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall be protected by a barrier complying with divisions (A) through (E) above.
(Ord. 4-7-05D, passed 4-7-2005) Penalty, see § 151.99