With summer just around the corner, thoughts of cooling off and splashing around in backyard swimming pools arise! While a pool can be a great source of fun and a welcome relief from the heat in the hot summer months on Long Island, they can also be extremely dangerous, especially to young children. A pool in your backyard can offer good times and hours of summer fun, but it also comes with some serious responsibility.
If you live in New York State you are required by law to have a fence around your pool. The principal purpose of this law and its specific codes and requirements is of course to make swimming pools inaccessible to young children. The state defines a swimming pool as “any structure, basin, chamber or tank which is intended for swimming, diving, recreational bathing or wading and which contains, is designed to contain, or is capable of containing water more than 24 inches (610 mm) deep at any point.” This means that even if you have a small kiddie pool, a hot tub or Jacuzzi that is capable of holding at least two feet of water, you must have a barrier (fence) around your yard. An exception to this rule can apply to a hot tub or Jacuzzi if it is equipped with a safety cover that complies with safety standards. In any other case, a fence (or barrier) is required.
Fences that are installed to protect a swimming pool must also meet certain safety requirements. These specific requirements are intended to prevent a child from crawling under the fence, fitting through a fence, or climbing over a fence. In addition, there are also requirements for access gates are intended to prevent a child from opening an access gate.
New York State requires the following fence requirements for outdoor residential swimming pools:
• The barrier must completely surround the swimming pool and must obstruct access to the swimming pool
• The barrier must be at least 4 feet (48 inches) high
• The space between the bottom of the barrier and the ground cannot exceed 2 inches
• Any opening in the barrier must be small enough to prevent the passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere through the opening
There are also additional requirements regarding fence type, fence placement and gate access. For the full list of safety requirements visit NY.gov. In addition, always consult with your local town and county offices to ensure that you are complying with all local safety regulations.
Exclusive Fence has a large selection of fences that meet all safety requirements to protect
your yard and your swimming pool. We have an experienced crew that can help you choose the right fence for your yard and perform the installation. We can also offer you advice on the safest and most secure fences. Give us a call at 631-946-4740.
Don’t take any chances with safety and make sure that you have the best fence installed around your swimming pool. This summer, make sure your family can relax and enjoy your pool while ensuring the safety of others!
