If you want to create a safer pool area, it must be protected by an ASTM-compliant fence. ASTM International–formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials–is an international organization that releases voluntary standards that cover a wide range of items, from consumer products to industry practices and the materials and services used by billions every day. This includes pool barrier requirements for materials, manufacturing, and installation. While the standards released by ASTM are voluntary, these standards are used by insurance carriers, homeowners associations, and governmental regulators to establish the guidelines for pool fencing in their jurisdiction or under their coverage. The vast majority of American swimming pools will be governed by requirements based in part or whole on ASTM-compliant standards.
Beyond the requirements your pool barriers may be under from a third party, these standards are what you want to follow to make sure your pool is safer for your friends, family, and loved ones, as well as being an important part of protecting yourself and your investment in your property from increased liability. Thousands of lives are lost annually to accidental drowning, and tens of thousands more seek medical treatment for drowning-related injuries. ASTM-compliant pool safety barriers are designed to help prevent these tragedies by deterring unsupervised access to the pool area or the surface of the water itself.
In short, ASTM pool fence standards may be voluntary, but the standards set by your city, county, or state government, HOA, or insurance carrier aren’t. While many jurisdictions use the pool barrier requirements set forward by ASTM as a basis for their rules and regulations, they are free to modify them as they see fit.
A common example is fence height. ASTM-compliant removable mesh pool fence has to be at least four feet tall, measured from the ground to the top of the fence, but some jurisdictions will stipulate a minimum height of five feet. When ASTM standards and those of your governing authority or carrier differ, the best choice for the safety of your loved ones is to use the strictest option. This ensures you’re meeting the regulatory pool codes and requirements while also creating the safest fence possible.
Full ASTM standards are set forth in publication F2286. The 2016 version is the most recent release, and the full specifications are available from ASTM. We’ll cover in brief what’s included, but remember, you’ll also need to check with your local permitting authority and other third parties to determine if ASTM=compliant fencing is enough or if they hold pools to a stricter building code. Another great resource is your local All-Safe Pool installer.
Your independent neighborhood installation professional doesn’t just research pool safety barrier requirements–they live by them. Your local pro has experience working within the areas they serve to create compliant pool safety barriers that protect families just like yours. While all of our removable mesh pool fencing is ASTM-compliant, we have options available to meet stricter codes to keep your family safer, help you fulfill your obligations as a pool owner, and reduce your liability.
Your fence should be at least 48” from the surface it’s installed into the top of the fence. This makes it harder for small children or parts to climb over the fence.
The construction of the fence, including the manner mesh attaches to its support poles and any decorative fixtures, must not aid a child in climbing over the fence. Our removable mesh pool fence does not provide any support along the top edge or poles, and the tight construction doesn’t create hand or footholds.
The gate on your removable mesh pool fence is self-closing and self-latching. The mechanism sits at least 54 inches above the grade. We further enhance your fence security by making our gates alarm-ready.
The see-through mesh provides a safe pool barrier that maintains your visibility so you can tell at a glance if someone has entered the pool area.
An ASTM-compliant pool fence has to be able to be removed and reinstalled without compromising its safety. Our installers work hard to create a custom barrier that puts you in control.
ASTM pool barrier requirements set the minimum tensile strength of the mesh material in your fence, establish the guidelines for your poles’ strength to resist determined pets or children, and establish that deck sleeves should be non-conductive to avoid shock risk and allow the poles to be anchored at least three inches below the surface they’re installed in.
An ASTM-compliant fence has a gap under the mesh of no more than an inch, and at no point along the fence can a four-inch sphere be passed through. This creates a tight fence that small pets and kids can’t push through or climb under.
Taking the first step toward a safer swimming pool has no cost, no obligation, and is as easy as picking up the phone. Call your local pool safety expert and request your free quote. They’ll schedule a visit to take measurements, talk to you about your pool needs, and design pool safety nets, covers, or fencing that meet the requirements of your local building code and the needs of your swimming lifestyle. It’s the most cost-effective safety decision you can make for your pool. Protect your friends, family, and pets by scheduling your free quote from an independent All-Safe Pool pro today.
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Many of our products’ materials are not available through typical stores and vendors and therefore must be custom manufactured specifically for our use. In order to control costs and provide you with the best value possible, our raw materials are produced in large batches and can often take several months to receive. The colors of our materials can, and often do, vary slightly from batch to batch. Although we make every effort to minimize color variations, we cannot be responsible for these differences when they occur. If a precise color or specific shade is important, please inspect the actual color of your product prior to installation.
For example, we use the name “putty” to describe some of our products. Your idea of the color “putty” may be different than someone else’s idea of “putty”. In addition, products may have the same color name but may not be the exact same color. For example, we have different shades of “black”. Please do not order using color names as your only guide. If a precise color or specific shade is important, please inspect the actual color of your product prior to installation.
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