California Residential Pool Safety Regulations: What You Need to Know

Barriers and other safety features allow you to enjoy your swimming pool, whether alone or with friends and family. There are different regulations to consider to prevent accidents, injuries, and unintended access to your swimming pool. Continue reading to learn about the safety requirements for residential pools in California.

Fencing

Restricting access to a pool can lower the odds of someone drowning, especially younger children. Climbing over a fence will be difficult, as it must be at least five feet tall. Gaps can exist between fences, but the slats cannot exceed four inches, and any spacing underneath the wall should be under two inches.

California residential pool installation, latching, and closing regulations must be followed as well. The access control provided by these barriers completely isolates the pool from the house, regardless of doorways and other pathways nearby.

You can choose between self-closing and self-latching, but the fence must lock securely. Sometimes, homeowners choose mesh fencing, but it must be free of openings that individuals, mainly children, can climb over.

Alarms

Drowning prevention features are required for California’s residential pools. One of those options includes adding alarms, a method that can alert homeowners when individuals access their features without authorization. These sounds must also go off if someone goes into the pool accidentally.

The type of alarms will vary, but according to safety requirements for the state, the option you choose must meet ASTM F2208 standards. Subsurface disturbance sensors and motion detectors are a couple of the most popular options. Choose an alarm that can detect water pressure changes instantly and one that sends an alert just as quickly.

Because drowning is a major concern, a pool alarm can allow you and your family to enjoy this feature with more confidence and lower your worry about individuals entering the pool while you’re away at work, on vacation, or asleep inside the home.

Covers

Pool covers conserve water, reduce energy costs, and keep guests safe. Both new and remodeled pools have laws that must be followed when it comes to pool covers. A pool cover can reduce water evaporation by up to 95 percent and also prevent unauthorized or unsupervised individuals from experiencing negative chemical reactions.

The type of cover you choose will depend on your budget, pool sizing, and preferences. Some options include foam, mesh, vinyl, solar, and automatic. Learning more about the different types can help you determine which option you want to protect your family and investment.

Nonslip Surfaces

Working with qualified custom outdoor pool and spa builders can prevent accidents and injuries in your pool, specifically those caused by additional building features such as patios and decks. For example, in California, if you add a pool deck to your property, the spacing around the pool must be a minimum of four feet and be slip-resistant.

Professional builders will have insight into the regulations, including the minimal width, slope type, acceptable surface material, and more. These individuals will work to ensure the codes are met and can accurately go over other safety requirements with you.

If you’re considering adding a pool to your home, make sure to work with an exceptional San Diego pool contractor. The team of experts from San Diego Pools specializes in every aspect of commercial and residential pool construction, and we’ve been building the finest pools in Southern California for more than 40 years. Call us today for a complimentary consultation.