Florida Building Code
Swimming Pool Barrier
Requirements.
Presented by
The Board and Code
Administration Division
Senate Bill 86
• Senate Bill 86 is also known as the “Preston de
Ibern/McKenzie Merriam Residential Swimming
Pool Safety Act” Created Chapter 515 of the
Florida Statutes.
• This is how it all started.
• It became effective October 1, 2000.
Florida Statutes 515
• 515.23 Legislative findings and intent.--The Legislature finds
that drowning is the leading cause of death of young children in
this state and is also a significant cause of death for medically
frail elderly persons in this state, that constant adult supervision
is the key to accomplishing the objective of reducing the
number of submersion incidents, and that when lapses in
supervision occur a pool safety feature designed to deny, delay,
or detect unsupervised entry to the swimming pool, spa, or hot
tub will reduce drowning and near-drowning incidents.
• FBC/Building Chapter 4
Section 454 Spa
• SWIMMING POOL. Any structure
intended for swimming, recreational
bathing or wading that contains water
over 24 inches (610 mm) deep. This
includes in-ground, aboveground and
on-ground pools; hot tubs; spas and
fixed-in-place wading pools.
Fixed-in-place wading pools.
In-ground Aboveground On-ground pools Hot tubs
FLORIDA BUILDING
FLORIDA BUILDING
CODE/BUILDING-CHAPTER 4 CODE/RESIDENTIAL
SECTION 454.2 CHAPTER 45
PRIVATE SWIMMING POOLS PRIVATE SWIMMING POOLS
• Section 454.2.1 Definitions: • Section 4501.1 Definitions:
BARRIER. A fence, dwelling BARRIER. A fence, dwelling
wall or nondwelling wall or any wall or nondwelling wall or any
combination thereof which combination thereof which
completely surrounds the completely surrounds the
swimming pool and obstructs swimming pool and obstructs
access to the swimming pool, access to the swimming pool,
especially access from the especially access from the
residence or from the yard residence or from the yard
outside the barrier. outside the barrier.
• SWIMMING POOL, PRIVATE. Any structure, located in
a residential area, that is intended for swimming or
recreational bathing and contains water over 24 inches
(610 mm)deep including but not limited to inground,
above-ground, and onground swimming pools, hot tubs,
and nonportable spas
SWIMMING POOL, INDOOR. A swimming pool which
is totally contained within a structure and surrounded on
all four sides by walls of said structure.
SWIMMING POOL, OUTDOOR. Any swimming pool
which is not an indoor pool.
• SWIMMING POOL, RESIDENTIAL. See “Swimming
pool, private.”
R4501.17 Residential swimming barrier
requirement.
• Residential swimming pools shall comply with
Sections R4501.17.1 through R4501.17.3.
Exception:
A swimming
pool with an
approved safety
pool cover
complying with
ASTM F 1346.
FLORIDA BUILDING CODE /RESIDENTIAL
(FBC/R) Section 4502.17.1 Outdoor
swimming pools.
(FBC./B Section 454.2.17)
• Outdoor swimming pools shall be
provided with a barrier complying
with Sections R4501.17.1.1 through
R4501.17.1.14.
R4501.17.1.1 The top of the barrier shall be at least 48 inches
(1219 mm) 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 shall be 2 inches (5mm) measured on the side of
the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool.
Where the top of the pool structure is above
grade, the barrier may be at ground level or
Mounted on top of the pool structure. Where
the maximum vertical clearance between the
top of the pool structure and the bottom of the
barrier shall be 4 inches (102 mm).
• R4501.17.1.2 The barrier may not
have any gaps, openings,
indentations, protrusions, or
structural components that could
allow a young child to crawl under,
squeeze through, or climb over
the barrier as herein described
below. One end of a removable
child barrier shall not be
removable without the aid of tools.
Openings in any barrier shall not
allow passage of a 4-inchdiameter
(102 mm) sphere.
• R4501.17.1.3 Solid barriers
which do not have openings
shall not contain indentations
or protrusions except for
normal construction
tolerances and tooled
masonry joints.
• R4501.17.1.4 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
(1143 mm), the horizontal
members shall be located on the
swimming pool side of the fence.
Spacing between vertical members
shall not exceed 1 ¾ inches (44
mm) in width. Where there are
decorative cutouts within vertical
members, spacing within the
cutouts shall not exceed 1 3/4
inches (44 mm) in width.
• R4501.17.1.5 Where the barrier
is composed of horizontal and
vertical members and the
distance between the tops of
the horizontal members is 45
inches (1143 mm) or more,
spacing between vertical
members shall not exceed 4
inches (102 mm). Where there
are decorative cutouts within
vertical members, spacing
within the cutouts shall not
exceed 1 3/4 inches (44 mm) in
width.
• R4501.17.1.6
Maximum mesh size
for chain link fences
shall be a 2 1/4 inch
square (57 mm)
unless the fence is
provided with slats
fastened at the top or
bottom which reduce
the openings to no
more than 1 ¾
inches (44 mm).
• R4501.17.1.7
Where the barrier
is composed of
diagonal
members, the
maximum
opening formed
by the diagonal
members shall be
no more than 1
3/4 inches
(44mm).
• R4501.17.1.8 Access gates, when provided, shall be
self-closing and shall comply with the requirements of
Sections R4501.17.1.1 through R4501.17.1.7 and
shall be equipped with a self-latching locking device
located on the pool side of the gate. Where the
device release is located no less than 54 inches
(1372 mm) from the bottom of the gate, the device
release mechanism may be located on either side of
the gate and so placed that it cannot be reached by a
young child over the top or through any opening or
gap from the outside. Gates that provide access to
the swimming pool must open outward away from the
pool. The gates and barrier shall have no opening
greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457
mm) of the release mechanism
Self-Closers
&
Self-Latches
Self-Closers Self-Closers
& &
Self-Latches Self-Latches
4501.17.1.9 Where a wall of a dwelling
serves as part of the barrier, one of the
following shall apply:
1. All doors and windows providing direct access from
the home to the pool shall be equipped with an exit
alarm complying with UL 2017 that has a minimum
sound pressure rating of 85 dBA at 10 feet (3048
mm). Any deactivation switch shall be located at least
54 inches (1372 mm) above the threshold of the
access. Separate alarms are not required for each
door or window if sensors wired to a central alarm
sound when contact is broken at any opening.
• Exceptions: (Next Slide)
4501.17.1.9 Where a wall of a dwelling
serves as part of the barrier, one of the
following shall apply:
• Exceptions:
• a. Screened or protected windows having a
bottom sill height of 48 inches (1219mm) or more
measured from the interior finished floor at the
pool access level.
• b. Windows facing the pool on floor above the first
story.
• c. Screened or protected pass-through kitchen
windows 42 inches (1067 mm) or higher with a
counter beneath.
2016 Supplement to the 5th Edition
(2014) Florida Building Code
HB535/SB1602
• 2. All doors providing direct access from the
home to the pool must be equipped with a
self-closing, self-latching device with
positive mechanical latching/locking
installed a minimum of 54 inches (1372 mm)
above the threshold, which is approved by
the authority having jurisdiction.
4501.17.1.9 Where a wall of a dwelling
serves as part of the barrier, one of
the following shall apply:
House Bill 535 and Senate Bill 1602 made the following
changes to the existing law for Residential Pool Alarms.
New language was added to 5th Edition of the Florida
Building Code (2014) / Residential Section 4501.17.1.9.3,
which includes “surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser,
and infrared alarms” for the residential swimming pools.
Effective date July 1, 2016
4501.17.1.9 Where a wall of a dwelling
serves as part of the barrier, one of the
following shall apply:
3. A swimming pool alarm that, when placed in a
pool, sounds an alarm upon detection of an
accidental or unauthorized entrance into the
water. Such pool alarm must meet and be
independently certified to ASTM Standard
F2208, titled "Standard Safety Specification for
Residential Pool Alarms," which includes surface
motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared
alarms. (continue on next slide)
4501.17.1.9 Where a wall of a dwelling
serves as part of the barrier, one of the
following shall apply:
3. cont’d…….For purposes of this paragraph, the
term "swimming pool alarm" does not include
any swimming protection alarm device designed
for individual use, such as an alarm attached to a
child that sounds when the child exceeds a
certain distance or becomes submerged in
water.
• R4501.17.1.10 Where an above-ground 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, the ladder or steps either
shall be capable of being secured, locked or
removed to prevent access, or the ladder or
steps shall be surrounded by a barrier which
meets the requirements of Sections
R4501.17.1.1 through R4501.17.1.9 and
Sections R4501.17.1.12 through
R4501.17.1.14. When the ladder or steps
are secured, locked or removed, any
opening created shall not allow the passage
of a 4-inchdiameter (102 mm) sphere.
• R4501.17.1.11
Standard screen
enclosures which meet
the requirements of
Section R4501.17 may
be utilized as part, or
all, of the “barrier” and
shall be considered a
“nondwelling” wall.
Removable child Self closer
barriers shall have one
end of the barrier non-
removable without the
aid of tools.
Screen Enclosure
• R4501.17.1.12 The barrier
must be placed around the
perimeter of the pool and
must be separate from any
fence, wall, or other
enclosure surrounding the
yard unless the fence, wall,
or other enclosure or
portion thereof is situated
on the perimeter of the
pool, is being used as part
of the barrier, and meets
the barrier requirements of
this section
• R4501.17.1.13 Removable child barriers must
be placed sufficiently away from the water’s
edge to prevent a young child or medically
frail elderly person who may manage to
penetrate the barrier from immediately falling
into the water. Sufficiently away from
the water’s edge shall mean no less than 20
inches (508 mm) from the barrier to the
water’s edge. Dwelling or nondwelling walls
including screen enclosures, when used as
part or all of the “barrier” and meeting the
other barrier requirements, may be as close
to the water’s edge as permitted by this code.
• R4501.17.1.14 A wall of a dwelling may serve as
part of the barrier if it does not contain any door
or window that opens to provide direct access
from the home to the swimming pool.
R4501.17.1.14.1 Adjacent waterways. Permanent natural or permanent
man-made features such as bulkheads, canals, lakes, navigable
waterways, etc., adjacent to a public or private swimming pool or spa may
be permitted as a barrier when approved by the authority having
jurisdiction. When evaluating such barrier features, the authority may
perform on-site inspections and review evidence such as surveys, aerial
photographs, water management agency standards and specifications, and
any other similar documentation to verify, at a minimum, the following:
1. The barrier feature is not subject to
natural changes, deviations, or alterations
and is capable of providing an equivalent
level of protection as that provided by the
code
2. The barrier feature clearly impedes,
prohibits or restricts access to the
swimming pool or spa.
Mesh Safety Barrier Requirements
• R4501.17.1.15 A mesh safety barrier meeting the
requirements of Section R4501.17 and the
following minimum requirements shall be
considered a barrier as defined in this section:
1. Individual component vertical support posts shall
be capable of resisting a minimum of 52 pounds
(229 N) of horizontal force prior to breakage when
measured at a 36-inch (914 mm) height above
grade. Vertical posts of the child mesh safety
barrier shall extend a minimum of 3 inches (76
mm) below deck level and shall be spaced no
greater than 36 inches (914 mm) apart.
• 2. The mesh utilized in the barrier shall
have a minimum tensile strength
according to ASTM D 5034 of 100 pounds
per foot (149 kg/m), and a minimum ball
burst strength according to ASTM D 3787
of 150 pounds per foot (223 kg/m). The
mesh shall not be capable of deformation
such that a 1/4 -inch (6.4 mm) round
object could pass through the mesh. The
mesh shall receive a descriptive
performance rating of no less than “trace
discoloration” or “slight discoloration”
when tested according to ASTM G 53
(Weatherability, 1,200 hours).
• 3. When using a molding strip
to attach the mesh to the
vertical posts, this strip shall
contain, at a minimum, #8 by
1/2-inch (12.7 mm) screws
with a minimum of two
screws at the top and two at
the bottom with the remaining
screws spaced a maximum of
6 inches (152 mm) apart on
center.
• 4. Patio deck sleeves (vertical post
receptacles) placed inside the patio
surface shall be of a nonconductive
material.
• 5. A latching device shall attach each
barrier section at a height no lower than 45
inches (11 613 mm) above grade.
Common latching devices that include, but
are not limited to, devices that provide the
security equal to or greater than that of a
hook-and-eye-type latch incorporating a
spring actuated retaining lever (commonly
referred to as a safety gate hook).
• 6. The bottom of the child mesh safety barrier shall not
be more than 1 inch (25 mm) above the deck or
installed surface (grade).
R4501.17.2 Indoor swimming pools. All walls
surrounding indoor swimming pools shall comply
with Section R4501.17.1.9.
R4501.17.3 Prohibited locations. A barrier may not be
located in a way that allows any permanent structure,
equipment, or window that opens to provide access from
the home to the swimming pool.
• R4501.19 Final inspection. Final
electrical and barrier code
inspection shall be completed prior
to filling the pool with water.
