NEW POOL GATES AND FENCES - CODE DRIVEN

Hi all,
The decision to fence equipment areas and change the gates on the W.P.R.F., Inc. pools was not a capricious act of the Operations Committee. The changes were driven by The Florida Administrative Code which, in this case, became effective in May of 2009, with a Drop Dead Date of May 2010. The total cost of these changes was circa $11,000.00. Those interested in keeping up to date on these issues should make it a point to attend the Operations Committee meetings. Those Associations with Private pools on our CV Campus can expect to hear from your inspectors in due course as regards these changes.

Dave Israel

The particular Code reference for these changes is: 64E-9.006 FAC

REF:

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=64E-9

And the following extracts apply.

(e) Equipment Enclosures, Area or Rooms – Equipment designated by the manufacturer for outdoor use may be located in an equipment area, all other equipment must be located in an equipment room or enclosure. Plastic pipe subject to a period of prolonged sunlight exposure must be coated to protect it from ultraviolet light degradation. An equipment area shall be surrounded with a fence at least four feet high on all sides not confined by a building or equivalent structure. A self-closing and self-latching gate with a locking device shall be provided if necessary for access. An equipment room shall be protected on at least three sides and overhead. The fourth side may be a gate, fence, or open if otherwise protected from unauthorized entrance. Any fence or gate installed shall use members spacing that shall not allow passage of a 4 inch diameter sphere. An equipment enclosure shall be lockable or otherwise protected from unauthorized access. This access security shall be installed on all pool equipment areas by one year from the effective date of this rule for those that do not presently have a similar level of security. The equipment enclosure, area or room floor shall be of concrete or other nonabsorbent material having a smooth slip resistant finish and shall have positive drainage, including a sump pump if necessary. Ancillary equipment, such as a heater, not contained in an equipment enclosure or room shall necessitate an equipment area as described above, which shall also be installed by one year from the effective date of this rule.

(h) All public pools shall be surrounded by a minimum 48 inch high fence or other substantial barrier approved by the department. The fence shall be continuous around the perimeter of the pool area that is not otherwise blocked or obstructed by adjacent buildings or structures and shall adjoin with itself or abut to the adjacent members. Access through the barrier or fence from dwelling units such as homes, apartments, motel rooms, and hotel rooms, shall be through self-closing self-latching lockable gates of 48 inch minimal height from the floor or ground with the latch located a minimum of 54 inches from the bottom of the gate or at least 3 inches below the top of the gate on the pool side. If the self-closing self-latching gate is also self-locking and is operated by a key lock, electronic opener, or integral combination lock, then the operable parts of such locks or openers shall be 34 inches minimum and 48 inches maximum above the finished floor or ground. Doored access points from public rooms such as lobbies or club houses need not be through gates. Gates shall open outward away from the pool area. A latched, lockable gate shall be placed in the fence within ten feet of the closest point between the pool and the equipment area for service access.
Instead of a fence, permanent natural or man-made features such as bulkheads, canals, lakes, navigable waterways, etc., adjacent to a pool may be permitted as a barrier when approved by the department. When evaluating such barrier features, the department may perform onsite inspections, and review evidence, such as surveys, aerial photographs, water management agency standards and specifications, and any other similar documentation to verify at minimum, the following: 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 a structure, and the barrier feature clearly impedes, prohibits or restricts access to the pool.
Screened pool enclosures must be hardened on the bottom three feet. Fencing consideration shall be given to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Publication No. 362, March 2005, guidelines available from CPSC.gov; or the Florida Building Code, 2007 with 2009 amendments, sections 424.2.17.1.1 – 424.2.17.1.8. Safety Covers that comply with ASTM Standard F1346-91 (Reapproved 2003), titled Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, and available from ASTM.org , do not satisfy this requirement.