Stairs and elevated deck surfaces around pools

[Barry Adair]

This pool's depth is 6' or less at all locations

Hazard or No hazard?

Any opinions and supporting documentation are welcomed

[Christopher Currins]

Maybe a no-diving sign. Someone probably would not hit bottom if they just fell or were pushed off. An idea would be to put railing where it is outlined in red. But then you'd have someone sitting on that, which of course would be higher.

[James E. Braun, CMI]

Originally Posted by badair

This pool's depth is 6' or less at all locations

Hazard or No hazard?

Any opinions and supporting documentation are welcomed

I bet the person who had this pool built was a basketball player that could not swim.

[dplummer]

A nice glass railed fence would look great.Don't Drink & Dive

Doug

[James F. McKee]

I'm thinking Your looking at the difference between safe and looks good Barry...since the yard is fenced ...I'm guessing they're legal....not smart maybe , but legal....jmo....jim

[bschumacher]

per irc you need railing on the upper level and at the stairs

have a great day
bradley schumacher

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by bschumacher

per irc you need railing on the upper level and at the stairs

have a great day
bradley schumacher

Do you have that per irc?

[Scott Gilligan, CMI]

Swimming pool barriers

General

• Applies to all pools or spas >24in deep (IRC AG102.1) (UBC 420)

• Fence min 48 in high (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#1)

• Gap under fence max 2 in above grade 4in if concrete (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 4221.1#1)
• Max opening size must prevent passage of 4 in sphere (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#1)
• Difficult to climb over ( no ladder or rails) (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#1)
• Gate lockable, self closing, open away from pool (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#4)
• If latch <54in high: Must be poolside & min 3 in below top (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#4)
• No openings >1/2 within 18in of latch (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#4)
• Doors & screens with direct pool access req. alarm audible for 30 seconds throughout house (IRC AG105.2) (UBC421.1#5X)
• Alarm control min 54in high, must rest automatically EXC (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#5X)
• Doors from iinterior w self close and release >or= 54in above floor (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#5X)
• Safety glazing req'd for glass enclosing pool (IRC 308.4) (UBC 2406.4)

Here is the pool information that I found in CodeCheck Building.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by sgilligan1

Swimming pool barriers

General

• Applies to all pools or spas >24in deep (IRC AG102.1) (UBC 420)

• Fence min 48 in high (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#1)

• Gap under fence max 2 in above grade 4in if concrete (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 4221.1#1)
• Max opening size must prevent passage of 4 in sphere (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#1)
• Difficult to climb over ( no ladder or rails) (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#1)
• Gate lockable, self closing, open away from pool (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#4)
• If latch <54in high: Must be poolside & min 3 in below top (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#4)
• No openings >1/2 within 18in of latch (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#4)
• Doors & screens with direct pool access req. alarm audible for 30 seconds throughout house (IRC AG105.2) (UBC421.1#5X)
• Alarm control min 54in high, must rest automatically EXC (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#5X)
• Doors from iinterior w self close and release >or= 54in above floor (IRC AG105.2) (UBC 421.1#5X)
• Safety glazing req'd for glass enclosing pool (IRC 308.4) (UBC 2406.4)

Here is the pool information that I found in CodeCheck Building.

Thanks for that Scott. The yard is fenced, in regard to railing on the stairs and deck it doesn't appear to be above 32" or the 4 step rule.

[Scott Gilligan, CMI]

Originally Posted by ccurrins

Thanks for that Scott. The yard is fenced, in regard to railing on the stairs and deck it doesn't appear to be above 32" or the 4 step rule.

I realized after I looked at the picture again what Barry was asking.

[Christopher Currins]

Curious Barry, what was your final report on this?

[Barry Adair]

These statements go in every report that has a pool whether I inspect it or not (modified for the pool in picture)
Diving or falling into the shallow (not designed for diving) swimming pool may result in severe injury or death. The immediate installation of guardrail fall protection at the elevated areas outlined in RED and posting of NO DIVING signage is advised by this inspector.

According to The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, thousands of deaths occur each year due to drowning or submersion. The majority of aquatic accidents occur in backyard swimming pools. While both children and adults alike are victims of pool accidents, residential swimming pools are the second leading cause of death of children under 14 years of age. Statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission indicate spas and whirlpools are also frequent scenes of child death and injury. In addition to deaths, each year thousands more swimming pool accident victims are treated in hospital emergency rooms for submersion and near drowning. Alcohol-related injuries in and around swimming pools are quite common. A variety of pool equipment such as diving boards contribute to other pool mishaps. Aside from death, diving accidents are among the most serious and can result in spinal cord injury, causing permanent neurological injuries.
Required must read Information for your report to be complete:
http://www.adairinspection.com/Pool-SpaSafety


This may all seem extreme to some readers but I have a childhood friend that suffered spinal cord injury (SCI) at age 17, as a direct result from a pool like this, he's been in a wheelchair for the past 37 years with many health complications.

SCI complications is what did in Superman Christopher Reeve

Our nephew drowned at age 3 in his backyard pool

[Christopher Currins]

Excellent advice.

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

I have always been around pools and installed one of my own the year my 1st daughter was born.

Inground pool with a gradient depth of 3 to 5 feet.

Pool Rule.....

No Diving and NO Children without Adult Supervision.

Served me well and has worked for my girls now 9 and 11.

I am always amazed at how many Parents comment that I will not allow my children to swim unattended in their own backyard.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

That would be a "non-issue" in my book Barry. The "fall" into the water from that level, as compared to the other side, will result in the same consequences - you will get wet.

Common pool safety should be an adequate recommendation. . .