Fence around pool code#

The standard economy galvanized chain link fence also violates the pool code at any height by being climbable because the size of the diamonds is 2.375”. Some 6’ high PVC pool fencing has middle rails too but can simply be ordered with the middle rail raised to 54” to prevent the fence from being climbable. This adds more cost and fewer aesthetics than the executive choice, however. The other choice is to reduce the space between pickets from 3.5” to 2.25”. The gap between each picket and stringer is thus reduced to about 1” and too small to put a foot through. The most popular way to solve this issue is to turn it into an Executive Vertical Shadow Box fence by adding smaller strips of wood between each picket on the outside of the fence. That means that someone could place a foot on the middle stringer and climb the fence. The wood pickets are typically 3.5” apart. Most are 6’ high and have a top, bottom, and middle horizontal stringers. If you seek a fence style that is more elegant, chose one at 54” or higher for your pool barrier.Īnother common problem occurs with the popular wood Vertical Shadowbox fence. That limits the 4’ high fence to only one style choice because the other styles all require the third rail. Most aluminum and some PVC fences have a third rail about 6” down from the top one – those can only be used with fences 54” high or higher. This means that 4’ high aluminum and PVC fences can only be used as a pool barrier if they have only top and bottom rails. There must be a minimum of 45” between the bottom rail of the fence and the next highest rail.

There are also certain challenges because of the requirement that pool fences be not climbable. When using wood or chain link, it is up to the fence contractor to make sure this requirement is not violated. For aluminum and PVC fences, some of the popular latches are called Aqua and Magna which are also lockable with a key.Īll manufacturers of aluminum and PVC fences build their products with less than 4” space between the pickets. Because 4’ high fences are 6 inches shorter than that, latches have been developed that stick up above the height of the fence. The self-latching requirement has the added twist of the latch having to be mounted at least 54” from the bottom of the fence. Chain link uses a self-closing gravity hinge and wood gates get a gate spring to make them self-close.

For aluminum and PVC-vinyl, there are spring-loaded (and adjustable for tension) hinges. The self-closing gate requirement is easily met, as self-closing hinges are available for all fence types. Some problems caused by having to comply with the pool code and their solutions.

There may not be more than 2” between the bottom of the fence and the ground.

Pool fencing must be continuous with no gaps through which a 4” sphere could fit.

Gates must swing out and be self-closing and self-latching with the latch being a minimum of 54” above the bottom rail.

The minimum height of a pool barrier fence is 4 feet.

What are the basics of the Florida pool code regarding fences? Wherever on the property the fence will be, it must meet the requirements designed to prevent young children from drowning by ensuring they can’t open gates or climb the fence to gain access to the pool. That can be a fence all around the farthest points of the property. If some of those seem odd at first glance, please note that a pool barrier fence is not necessarily one that surrounds a pool but is a fence anywhere on the property where a person can gain access to the pool. Wood, PVC, aluminum, and even chain link can be used as pool fencing. What fence materials can I use if I have a pool? Here we will discuss the basic rules and some details most people would not have thought about. But there are special requirements for those fences beyond what is required when there is no pool. Most people know that if there is a pool in your yard, pool fencing is also required. What Do I Need to Know About Pool Fencing?

Fence around pool