California's Swimming Pool Safety Act

The Swimming Pool Safety Act protects children from water dangers.

Many children have died because of swimming pool accidents. California implemented the Swimming Pool Safety Act in 1998 to protect children from drowning. If a California resident would like to build a swimming pool, he must follow the guidelines in the act. A swimming pool contractor should inform residents about the safety standards implemented.

Identification

A swimming pool, according to the act, is a structure of water intended for recreation or swimming and is at least a foot and a half deep. The act includes structures that are in or out of the ground. If they are out of the ground, for the act to have precedence, they must not be portable. All swimming pools should have a cover on them when they are not in use for safety purposes.

Fencing

If a pool is built in California, it must be enclosed by a fence. The gates on the fence must be at least five feet high. The gates must close by themselves and latch automatically. The gates latches must be at least five feet high. The fence cannot be higher than two inches from the ground and cannot contain any gaps bigger than four inches in diameter. Any child under the age of 5 should not be able to climb the fence.

Circulation Drains

For a swimming pool to be safe for children, the act addresses the dangers that high circulation in a pool can cause. There must be at least two circulation drains no less than three feet apart. Both circulation drains must be "hydraulically balanced and symmetrically plumbed through one or more 'T' fittings," according to the act. The circulation drains should have safety grates on them to protect children from becoming stuck in them.

Home Access

If the swimming pool can be accessed through the home, a California resident must take precautionary measures to guard against a child's accidental entrance. The door that provides entrance to the pool must close and latch on its own. This ensures no one can accidentally leave it open. The door's latch must be at least four and a half feet above the floor.

Exceptions

The act does not affect all swimming pools. Public pools and apartment complex pools are not regulated by the act. Pools used by social services or other government agencies, even if at a residence, are not affected by the act but must follow other regulations. Hot tubs that are in compliance with the American Society for Testing Materials are not regulated by this act. However, if they are not in compliance, then they are regulated by the act.

References

• Justia-US Laws: California Health and Safety Code Sections 115920-115929--Swimming Pool Safety Act