Chapter 15.20
AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS TO THE INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE
Sections:
15.20.010 Amendments and additions to the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
15.20.010 Amendments and additions to the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
A. The following modifications and changes as recommended by the building official are adopted to the International Pool and Spa Code, 2021 Edition. (Life/Safety I)
1. Add Section 202, Definitions, to read as follows:
a. “Swimming pool, spa, or regulated body of water”. A construction or prefabricated pool, spa, fountain, pond, or man-made body of water used for swimming, bathing, or wading, or a landscape element, exceeding 18 inches (457mm) in depth at any point. (Life/Safety I)
2. Amend Section 305.1 to read as follows:
305.1 General. The provision of this section shall apply to the design and requirement for installation of barriers for swimming pools, spas, or regulated body of water of 18 inches in depth at any point, constructed after March 19, 1998. These design controls are intended to provide protection against the potential drowning and near drowning by restricting access to such pools or spas. These requirements provide an integrated level of protection against potential drowning through the use of physical barriers and warning devices. Hot tubs or spas with locking safety covers complying with ASTM-ES 13-89 shall be considered in compliance with Pool Enclosure Requirements. (Life/Safety I)
3. Amend Section 305.2.1 to read as follows:
305.2.1 Barrier height and clearances. Barrier heights and clearances shall be in accordance with the following:
a. The top of the barrier shall be not less than 60-inches (1524 mm) above grade, where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa. Such height shall exist around the entire perimeter of the barrier and for a distance of 3-feet (914 mm) measured horizontally from the outside of the required barrier. (Life/Safety I)
b. The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 2 inches (51mm) for all grade surfaces, where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool, spa, or regulated body of water. (Life/Safety I)
c. Any decorative design work on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool, spa, or man-made body of water, such as protrusions, indentations, or cutouts, which render the barrier easily climbable are prohibited. (Life/Safety I)
4. Amend Section 305.2.4 to read as follows:
305.2.4 Mesh Fence as a barrier. Mesh fences, other than chain-link fences in accordance with section 305.2.7, shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall comply with the following:
a. The bottom of the mesh fence shall be not more than 1 inch (25 mm) above the deck or installed surface or grade. (Life/Safety I)
b. The maximum vertical clearance from the bottom of the mesh and grade shall not permit the fence to be lifted more than 4 inches (102 mm) from grade or decking. (Life/Safety I)
c. The fence shall be designed and constructed so that it does not allow passage of a 4-inch (102 mm) sphere under any mesh panel. The maximum vertical clearance from the bottom of the mesh fence and the solid surface shall not be more than 4 inches (102 mm) from grade or decking. (Life/Safety I)
d. An attachment device shall attach each barrier section at a height not lower than 60-inches (1524 mm) above grade. Common attachment devices include, but are not limited to, devices that provide the security equal to or greater than that of a self-closing hook-and-eye type latch incorporating a spring-actuated retaining lever such as a safety gate hook. (Life/Safety I)
e. Where a hinged gate is used with a mesh fence, the gate shall comply with Section 305.3. (Life/Safety I)
f. Patio deck sleeves such as vertical post receptacles that are placed inside the patio surface shall be of a nonconductive material. (Life/Safety I)
g. Mesh fences shall not be installed on top of on-ground residential pools. (Life/Safety I)
5. Add Section 305.2.7 to read as follows:
305.2.7 Minimum wire gauge of the chain link shall be not less than 11 gauge. (Life/Safety I)
6. Amend Section 305.3 to read as follows:
305.3 Gates. Access gates shall comply with the requirements of Sections 305.3.1 through 305.3.3, be no less than 60 inches (1524 mm) in height when measured from grade, equipped with a locking device no less than 60 inches (1524 mm) from grade. Pedestrian access gates shall open outward away from the pool or spa, shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device and remain locked when not in use. (Life/Safety I)
7. Amend Section 305.3.3 to read as follows:
305.3.3 Latches. Self-latching device shall be placed no lower than 60 inches (1524 mm) above ground. (Life/Safety I)
8. Amend 305.5, Condition 1, to read as follows:
a. Where only the pool wall serves as the barrier, the bottom wall is on grade, the top of the wall is not less than 60-inches (1524 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, the wall complies with the requirements of section 305.2 and the pool manufacturer allows the wall to serve as the barrier. (Life/Safety I)
9. Amend 305.5, Condition 2, to read as follows:
a. Where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool wall the top of the barrier is not less than 60-inches (1524 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool and the wall and the barrier on top of the wall comply with the requirements of section 305.2. (Life/Safety I).
(Ord. 22-12 § 1).