Pool fences give you peace of mind knowing that your friends, family, and pets are safe. With summer just around the corner, families all over Harrisonburg are getting ready to open their pools. Below is our pool fence safety checklist of things to consider before opening your pool. Does your pool fence meet the appropriate standards?
1. Check all gates to make sure they are latching properly.
Before you can open your pool for the summer, it’s important that all gates are properly latching. All pool fence gates are required to swing shut, spring shut and latch. In other words, your gate should be able to close on its own and remain locked. This prevents any animals (or people!) from stumbling into the pool during the night without seeing it.
2. Check the gap between horizontal railings.
Most pool fences consist of horizontal and vertical railings. Pool fence regulations require that the horizontal railings must be no more than 45 inches apart, measured from the top of each rail.
3. Measure the height of your pool fence.
Harrisonburg building code requires that all outdoor swimming pools have a barrier fence that is at least 48 inches (4 feet) tall. This makes it difficult for any animals who visit your backyard at night to find themselves accidentally enjoying a midnight swim.
4. Examine the structural integrity of the fence.
It’s important that you take a walk around your pool fence before opening your pool to do a visual inspection. Look carefully for any holes, rot (not applicable for vinyl fences), potential weak spots or anything that might threaten the safety of the fence.
5. Make sure the rest of your pool is up to code.
If you’re unsure about any electrical or other building codes, check the Harrisonburg City Government’s swimming pool permit page that has all of the relevant code information.
If you need to replace or install a new pool fence or have any questions about local building code, Dutchway is here to help! Get in contact with us today.
