Both the private and public swimming pools in Ohio State are subjected to specific regulations and rules.
Today we will look at the laws, code, and fence requirements of the private pools.
It is vital you know these guidelines because they affect both the inground and above ground pool, and you can avoid breaking the law.
Ohio Private Pool Laws: Definition and Location
There are three aspects of private pools in Ohio that you should know: the definition of a private pool, the law itself, and the pool’s location.
- Private Pool Definition
The Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-31-01 (M) states that a private pool is an outdoor or indoor chamber holding water for bathing, diving, or swimming.
It is a facility meant for the use of the homeowner, the family, and visitors.
Under the definition, a private pool can be an inground or aboveground water body.
- The Law
Every Ohio municipal government has the right to develop its guidelines for private pool fence requirements.
For instance, Lancaster’s city notes that a private pool should have a 6-foot fence and anyone who wants to go higher should get a permit.
You can apply for the license at the city’s Certified Building Department.
Other counties also have their law that is meant to add to the user and children’s safety.
- The Location
Pool’s privacy fences in the state of Ohio should be erected either around the property or around the pool.
The fence should be maintained and have a locking gate.
Note that the privacy fence does not help much when ensuring that your kids are safe when you are not around.
However, that is only true if you go for the property fence that gives your home or yard privacy.
Ohio Pool Fence Code and Pool Fence Requirements
The section looks at the pool fencing requirements Ohio and the pool fence code to give you an idea of installing a safe enclosure.
These requirements are found under section 421.10.1 BOCA National Building Code and list the fencing and barriers for a pool.
421.10.1: Outdoor Private Pool
The code states that a private outdoor pool, including an aboveground, on the ground, inground, spa, or hot tub shall have a barrier with these qualities:
Height of 48-Inch or Higher: The top of the wall shall be at least 48-inch high when measured from the ground and on the barrier’s side, facing away from the pool.
Recommended vertical gaps between the barrier and the ground level shall not exceed 2-inch when measured from the barrier’s side, facing away from the pool.
If the pool’s structure top is above the ground level (like above ground pools), the wall shall be ground level or mounted on the pool structure.
If the barrier is attached to the structure, the gap between the bottom of the fence and the pool’s top shall not allow a 4-inch diameter sphere that passes through.
Barrier Openings: Any opening on the wall or fence shall not allow a 4-inch diameter sphere passing through.
Smooth Barriers: The concrete wall shall not feature a protrusion or indentation that can allow children to climb over the fence and expect normal masonry joints and tolerances.
Vertical and Horizontal Members: The horizontal members shall be on the poolside if the distance between the top two members is at most 45-inch.
Spacing between the vertical member should be about 1¾-inch or less in width.
Any decorative cutout shall be at most 1¾-inch wide.
In case the distance between the top of two horizontal members is more than 45-inch, the vertical members shall have a gap of no more than 4-inch.
The decorative cutout remains at 1¾-inch or less.
Chain Link Fences: Maximum size of chain link barriers shall be 1¼-inch per square unless the barricade contains slats for fastening the bottom and top.
The fastener should reduce the opening to 1¾-inch or less.
Diagonal Members: If the wall has diagonal members like a lattice fence, the recommended gap between two members is 1¾-inch or less.
Access Gates: Every access gate shall meet the requirements we have discussed above and have a locking system.
The gate shall open away from the swimming pool and offer the self-closing ability and a self-latching gadget.
If the release system of the latching gadget is below 54-inch from the gate’s bottom:
- The release system should be on the swimming pool side of the entrance and about 3-inch below the gate’s top.
- The barrier and gate shall not have gaps of over 0.5-inch with 18-inch of the release system.
Dwelling Unit Wall: Where a house wall functions as the pool’s barrier and contains windows or doors that lead to the pool:
- Every door or window with direct access to the pool shall be installed with an audible alarm.
- The alarm shall sound within 7-second of the door or window being opened and run continuously for at least 30-second.
- It should have a rating of 85 Dba at 10-foot, and the sound should be unique from other house alarms.
- The alarm should reset under any condition without needing your intervention and only be inactive for 15-second if deactivated manually.
- Every door or window with direct access to your pool should contain self-latching and self-closing abilities.
421.10.2: Indoor Private Pool
Every wall surrounding the private indoor pool shall meet the standard of section 421.10.1.
Prohibited Locations: The barrier should be erected to prevent access to the pool via objects, equipment, and permanent structures.
Temporary Enclosures: You should install a permanent enclosure that meets section 3304.2 BOCA code before creating an inground pool.
Final Words
Ensure your pool meets the Ohio pool fence requirements and codes to avoid accidents that can be fatal.
You also need to follow your local municipal authority’s guidelines when figuring out how best to go about adding the barrier.
There are many benefits of having a wall or fence around the pool, preventing drowning, and preventing authorized access.