Swimming Pool Gate Latch Height

Gates must swing away from the pool and the release mechanism on the outside must be at least 54 inches from the bottom of the door or gate to prevent a young child from entering there is an exception to the hardware mounting height requirements typically a maximum of 48 inches to allow for the 54 inch location on pool gates.

Swimming pool gate latch height. The swimming pool barrier guidelines therefore apply to these structures as well as to above ground pools and may include larger portable pools. 1 the latch is installed on the pool yard side of the gate only and is at least three inches below the top of the gate. The swimming pool barrier guidelines are presented with illustrated descriptions of pool barriers. And 2 the gate or enclosure has no opening greater than one half inch in any direction within 18 inches from the latch including the space between the gate and the gate post to which the gate latches.

Pool gates are the point of entry for pedestrians and therefore the main access of small children. The code further clarifies that gate latches must be 54 inches from the ground and that there may be no gaps larger than 5 inches within 18 inches of the latch. Using the pool gate that i originally posted about as an example as this pool was part of a resort and the gate was left unlocked during the day the access side hardware would have to be mounted at 54 inches. Both the building code and the residential swimming pool safety act discuss additional requirements for pool enclosures for which a dwelling or building forms part of the barrier.

D d industries tall magna latch magnetic style pool code approved child safety is self latching and out of reach of small children.