The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has set up some standards for pool fence
. These standards are not mandatory. But following them will prevent many drowning that occur every year. The most unfortunate part is that it is the small children who drown in the unprotected pools.
The standards for pool fence laid down by CPSC were arrived at after extensive studies conducted in the states of Arizona, California and Florida. In these states there are many private pools which are used for most part of the year. The intention of the CPSC standards is not to allow the children to enter the pool without proper supervision. In some communities the building codes require a pool fence for every pool.
According to the CPSC the children must not be able to enter the pool by crawling under the pool fence, going through it or climbing over the fence. The fence must have a minimum of 4 feet height. The fence should not have hand holds or foot holds to allow children to climb the fence.
Above ground pools have their own standards to follow. In addition to the right above ground pool fence, these pools should have two other preventive measures. They are to prevent children from climbing the above ground pool wall. If there is a ladder to climb the wall, the design must be in such a way that the ladder must be removed when the pool is not in use.
For some above ground pools steps are built to a deck structure on the side of the pool instead of providing a ladder. In such cases the CPSC code requires a fence around the steps, not to allow children to climb into the pool.
For safety, make sure that the fence gate has automatic latches. The latches must be kept high so that the children must have no access to it. The fencing must not have sharp edges.
The above ground pool fence must have a minimum height of 2 ft. While buying one, ensure that it enhances the backyard landscaping. The fence can also optimize the good looks of your house.
Anyway your require fence for your on the ground or above ground pool. That is for the safety your own children or those of your neighbors. Make it look beautiful and merge with the design of your house.