4
Prevent Young Children From Drowning:
Install fencing or approved barrier around all sides of pool.
State or local laws or codes may require fencing or other approved
barriers.
Check state or local laws and codes before setting up pool.
Drowning occurs silently and quickly. Assign an adult to supervise pool
and wear provided water watcher tag.
Keep children in your direct sight when they are in or near pool and
when you are filling and emptying pool.
When searching for a missing child, check pool first, even if you think
your child is in the house.
Pool presents a drowning hazard even during filling and draining of the
pool. Maintain constant supervision of children and do not remove any
safety barriers until the pool is completely empty and stowed away.
Refer to the list of barrier recommendations and guidelines as
described in CPSC Publication No.362.
Assign an adult to be responsible for watching children in the pool.
Give this person a “water watcher” tag and ask that they wear it the
entire time they are in charge of supervising children in the pool. If they
need to leave for any reason, ask this person to pass the “water
watcher” tag and the supervision responsibility to another adult.
Locate pumps and filters in such a way that children cannot climb on
them to gain access to pool.
If you have a ladder, refer to the ladder's manual for instructions.
If you have a pump, refer to the pump's manual for instructions.
Prevent Young Children From Gaining Access to Pool:
Remove pool ladders before leaving pool. Toddlers can climb ladder
and get into pool.
Position furniture away from pool so that children cannot climb and
gain access to pool.
PREVENT
DROWNING
Watch children at all times.
NO DIVING!
You can be permanently injured.
Shallow water.
WARNING
When leaving pool, remove floats and toys from pool that might attract
a child.
Be Prepared to Respond to an Emergency:
Keep a working phone and list of emergency numbers near pool.
Become certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) so you can
respond to an emergency.
Electrocution Risk:
Keep all electrical lines, radios, speakers, and other electrical devices
away from pool.
Do not place pool near or under overhead electrical lines.
Suction Risk:
Replacement pump should never exceed the maximum flow rate
marked on the suction fitting.
For further safety tips check out the following websites:
www.homesafetycouncil.org
http://www.safety-council.org/info/child/water.html
www.safekids.org
www.nspi.org
Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Swimming Pool
Section I: Outdoor swimming pool
An outdoor swimming pool, including an inground, aboveground, or
onground pool, hot tub, or spa, should be provided with a barrier which
complies with the following:
1. The top of the barrier should be at least 48 inches above grade
measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the
swimming pool. The maximum vertical clearance between grade
and the bottom of the barrier should be 4 inches measured on the
side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming
pool.Where the top of the pool structure is above grade, such as an
aboveground pool, the barrier may be at ground level, such as the
pool structure, or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where the
barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the maximum
vertical clearance between the top of the pool structure and the
bottom of the barrier should be 4 inches.
2. Openings in the barrier should not allow passage of a 4-inch
diameter sphere.
3. Solid barriers, which do not have openings, such as a masonry or
stone wall, should not contain indentations or protrusions except
for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.
4. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members
and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is
less than 45 inches, the horizontal members should be located on
the swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical
members should not exceed 1-3/4 inches in width. Where there are
decorative cutouts, spacing within the cutouts should not exceed
1-3/4 inches in width.
5. Where the barrier is composed of horizontal and vertical members
and the distance between the tops of the horizontal members is 45
inches or more, spacing between vertical members should not
exceed 4 inches. Where there are decorative cutouts, spacing
within the cutouts should not exceed 1-3/4 inches in width.
6. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences should not exceed 1-3/4
inch square unless the fence is provided with slats fastened at the
top or the bottom which reduce the openings to no more than 1-3/4
inches.
7. Where the barrier is composed of diagonal members, such as a
lattice fence, the maximum opening formed by the diagonal
members should be no more than 1-3/4 inches.
8. Access gates to the pool should comply with Section I, Paragraphs
1 through 7,and should be equipped to accommodate a locking
device. Pedestrian access gates should open outward, away from
the pool, and should be self-closing and have a self-latching
device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates should have a
self-latching device. 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 should be located on the
pool side of the gate at least 3 inches below the top of the gate and
(b) the gate and barrier should have no opening greater than 1/2
inch within18 inches of the release mechanism.
9. Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier, one of the
following should apply:
(a) All doors with direct access to the pool through that wall should
be equipped with an alarm which produces an audible warning
when the door and its screen, if present, are opened. The alarm
should sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds within
7 seconds after the door is opened. Alarms should meet the
requirements of UL2017 General-Purpose Signaling Devices
and Systems, Section 77. The alarm should have a minimum
sound pressure rating of 85 dBA at 10 feet and the sound of the
alarm should be distinctive from other household sounds, such
as smoke alarms, telephones, and door bells. The alarm should
automatically reset under all conditions. The alarm should be
equipped with manual means, such as touchpads or switches,
to temporarily deactivate the alarm for a single opening of the
door from either direction. Such deactivation should last for no
more than 15 seconds. The deactivation touchpads or switches
should be located at least 54 inches above the threshold of the
door.
(b) The pool should be equipped with a power safety cover which
complies with ASTM F1346-91 listed below.
(c) Other means of protection, such as self-closing doors with
self-latching devices, are acceptable so long as the degree of
protection afforded is not less than the protection afforded by (a)
or (b) described above.
10. 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 (a) the ladder to the pool or
steps should be capable of being secured, locked or removed to
prevent access, or(b) the ladder or steps should be surrounded by
a barrier which meets Section I, Paragraphs 1 through 9. When the
ladder or steps are secured, locked, or removed, any opening
created should not allow the passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere.
Section II: Barrier Locations
Barriers should be located so as to prohibit permanent structures,
equipment or similar objects from being used to climb the barriers.
Only for outdoor use.
Teach your children to swim.
Never dive, jump, or slide into the pool.
Adult supervision is always required.
Parents should learn CPR.
Never swim alone.
Keep all electrical radios, speakers and other appliances away from
the swimming pool.
When you touch the filter, pump, or electrical parts, be sure the ground
under your feet is “Bone Dry.”
All electrical outlets should have a GFCI and connections should be a
minimum of 5 feet (1.52 m) from the outside perimeter of the wall of the
pool. From 5–10 feet (1.52–3.05 m), there should be either a fixed
connection (outlet box) or twistlock connection with a GFCI.
Connect power cords to a 3-wire grounding-type outlet only.
Keep all breakable objects out of the pool area.
Alcohol consumption and pool activities do not mix. Never allow
anyone to swim, dive or slide under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Severe electrical shock could result if you install your pump or filter on
a deck. The pump or filter could fall into the water, causing severe
shock or electrocution. Do not install on a deck or other surface at,
above, or slightly below the top rail of the pool.
Do not use the pool during severe weather conditions, i.e. electrical
storms, tornadoes, etc.
Be aware of overhead power lines when vacuuming your pool or using
a telescoping pole.
Do not allow diving, climbing, sitting, or standing on the top rails of the
pools.
Do not allow roughhousing and horseplay.
Do not engage in extended breath holding activities underwater; you
may black out and drown.
Install a pool ladder(s) or staircase for entry and exit from the pool.
Keep deck clean and clear of objects that may create a tripping
hazard.
Check regularly for signs of wear or loose bolts that could make the
deck unsafe.
Instruct pool users about the proper use of all pool ladder(s) and
staircases.
Face ladder going up or down.
Allow only one person at a time on the ladder.
Check all nuts and bolts regularly to ensure that the ladder stays
sturdy.
Remove or secure the ladder to prevent entry to pool when not in use.
Please contact pool site dealer or manufacturer for additional safety
signs if deemed necessary.
For pool service, select a certified pool professional.
Any equipment connected to the circulation systems shall be
positioned so as to prevent their being used as a means of access to
the pool by young children.
The installation must comply with the codes of the authority having
jurisdiction and may require permits for building, plumbing electrical,
zoning, etc.
The pool shall be located a minimum distance of 6 ft. (1.83 m) from
any electrical receptacle.
All 125 volt, 15 and 20 ampere receptacles located within 20 ft. (6.0 m)
of the pool shall be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter
(GFCI). The 20 ft. (6 m) distance is measured via the shortest straight
line distance the supply cord would follow without piercing a floor, wall,
ceiling, doorway, window, or other permanent barrier.
Prior to use of the pool, the installer shall affix all no diving signs and
safety signs in accordance with installation instructions so they can be
easily visible.
A barrier is necessary to provide protection against potential drowning
and near drowning and that barriers are not a substitute for the
constant supervision of children.
A list of emergency telephone numbers shall be posted, such as the
nearest available police, fire, ambulance, and/or rescue unit. These
numbers are to be kept near the telephone that is closest to the pool.
Toys, chairs, tables, or similar objects that a young child could climb
shall be at least 4 feet (1219 mm) from the pool.
If deck is used by the installer, it will need to comply with APSP-8.
Basic lifesaving equipment, including one of the following, shall be on
hand at all times: a. A light, strong, rigid pole (shepherd’s crook) not
less than 12 ft. (3.66 m) long. b. A minimum ¼ in. (6 mm) diameter
rope as long as 1½ times the maximum width of the pool or 50 feet
(15.24 m), whichever is less, which has been firmly attached to a
Coast Guard-approved ring buoy, or a similarly approved flotation
devices.
The swimming pool cover is not designated as a safety barrier.
Please use artificial lighting during nighttime pool use, to illuminate all
safety signs, ladders, steps, deck surfaces and walks.
The pool is subject to wear and deterioration. If not maintained
properly, certain types of excessive or accelerated deterioration can
lead to failure of the pool structure that might release large quantities
of water that could cause bodily harm and property damage.
The bottom of the pool shall be visible at all times from the outside
perimeter of the pool.
The installer of the vinyl liner shall affix on the original or replacement
liner, or on the pool structure, all safety signs in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you have a filter pump, refer to the pump’s manual for instructions.
The ladder shall be located on a solid base and the ladder shall be
installed per the ladder’s instructions.
Publications are available that describe the risk of drowning,
entrapment, and diving accidents. Available publications related to pool
safety include the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals’ (APSP)
booklets entitled: The Sensible Way to Enjoy Your
Aboveground/Onground Swimming Pool, Children Aren’t Waterproof,
Pool and Spa Emergency Procedures for Infants and Children, Layers
of Protection, and the latest published edition of ANSI/APSP-8 Model
Barrier Code for Residential Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs.
For additional safety information, see www.APSP.org.
THIS PRODUCT IS COMPLIANT TO ANSI/ APSP 4 AMERICAN
NATIONAL STANDARD FOR ABOVEGROUND POOLS /
ONGROUND RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS & INTERNATIONAL
SWIMMING POOL & SPA CODE (ISPSC) (Only for USA & only for
pools with a water depth of more than 36in.(914mm))
Please read carefully and keep for future
reference
