On a hot, sunny Florida afternoon, the cool, shimmering water of your backyard pool calls you, and it’s the best way to cool off. If you already have a pool or plan to install one, you should be aware of the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act and how a Tampa Bay pool fence can help you satisfy its requirements.
Your children’s safety and protection are your top priorities, and a fence is one of the best ways to keep them safe from accidents. We’re here to help you understand the requirements in place to protect them, as well as how to select the correct pool fence to ensure you meet these criteria.
Saving Lives With Pool Safety Requirements in Florida
Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, also known as the Preston de Ibern/McKenzie Merriam Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, requires homeowners to install fences and other safety barriers around their swimming pools.
It establishes the rules and regulations for swimming pool barriers and fences that must surround your home pool to prevent young children and medically vulnerable elders from accessing it. Furthermore, your local county or city government has the authority to impose supplemental regulations that are at least as stringent as the state requirements.
Is a Tampa Bay Pool Fence Required if I Already Have a Privacy Fence?
If you have a privacy fence in your yard, you may or may not require an additional barrier surrounding your pool. There are various important factors to consider, so let’s discuss the requirements to see if you need a pool barrier placed by a Florida fence company in addition to your privacy fence.
What are the Requirements of a Pool Barrier or Fence?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s safety recommendations, pool barriers, and fences should be a minimum of 5 feet tall and surround all sides of a swimming pool. The house can act as one ‘side’ of the pool barrier, with the remaining sides surrounded by a privacy fence or other barrier. Pool barriers in the Tampa, FL, area can be built from a variety of fencing materials, as long as they are securely fastened and at least 4 feet tall.
Exploring Additional Pool Safety Regulations
To pass a final inspection and earn a certificate of completion, a residential swimming pool must include at least one pool safety feature:
- Fences should have no more than a 2-inches between the bottom and the ground.
- All doors and windows providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with an exit alarm that has a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dB A at 10 feet
- All doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor
- The pool must be isolated from access to a home by an enclosure that meets the pool barrier requirements.
- The pool must be equipped with an approved safety pool cover
With these requirements in mind, it may be beneficial to install a secondary barrier in your yard, even if you already have a privacy fence. This is particularly true if you have pets or young children. The more steps you take to protect your family, the safer they will be!
More Ways to Enhance Pool Safety
Although a fence is a great start, you should take additional steps to protect your children. Here are some quick tips:
- Swimming Lessons – Water safety lessons can reduce the risk of accidental childhood drowning by 88%. Even children as young as 1-year-old can benefit from swimming lessons. When a child is comfortable and knows how to be safe in the water, it can help prevent accidental drowning.
- Get a Pool Cover – If your children can walk across the pool without falling in, that can be a potential lifesaver.
- Don’t Allow Access Without Supervision – When your child is in or near a pool or any body of water, you must provide constant, concentrated supervision.
Understanding Your Liability in Pool Safety
It’s important to note that you can be held liable for accidental injuries or death if you do not follow the law on swimming pool safety. Always double-check your coverage requirements with your homeowner’s insurance provider to ensure you are adequately insured. Additionally, if your pool barrier does not satisfy safety regulations and you are selling your home, a house inspection may cause a delay in the closing process.
Exploring Top Tampa Bay Pool Fence Choices
When considering swimming pool fence options, your major concern should be safety and security, but this does not mean you have to sacrifice the appearance of your fence. The variety of materials, patterns, and colors can be overwhelming, but Tampa Fence, your Tampa Bay fence company, is here to help! Let’s look at a couple of the top options in Florida.
Aluminum Pool Fencing in Tampa
Aluminum is an excellent pool fence material because of its traditional elegance and ease of maintenance. While aluminum fences are not intended to be privacy fences, they are safe and secure. Aluminum fencing’s most appealing feature is the wide variety of styles, finishes, and accessories available, allowing you to personalize your pool fence to accent and enhance your pool area while increasing the value of your property and home.
Wood Pool Fencing in Florida
Wood’s natural look makes it an appealing option for a pool fence. You can stain or paint a wood fence to complement any exterior color scheme. Because wood and water do not mix, you will need to seal and stain your fence on a regular basis to protect it from the environment and the repeated splashing from pool use. If you don’t want to put in the extra maintenance effort, wood fencing might not be the ideal option for you.
Vinyl Pool Fencing in Tampa Bay
Whether your pool is large or small, vinyl offers an affordable fencing solution to enhance the beauty, privacy, and security of your swimming pool and home in the Tampa Bay area. Available in various heights and colors, vinyl fences are low-maintenance, long-lasting, and resistant to cracking and fading.
Tampa, FL Chain Link Pool Fencing
Chain link fencing is an additional choice for pool fencing in Tampa, Florida. This material is best suited for Florida properties that want a durable, cost-effective solution. You can find chain link fencing in standard galvanized steel and PVC-coated varieties. Additionally, you can insert colored PVC slats through the openings of the wire mesh to enhance privacy on your property.
Tampa Bay Composite Pool Fences
Composite fences are great pool fences due to their strength, minimal upkeep, and aesthetic charm. Blending recycled wood fibers and plastic, they mimic the appearance of wood without maintenance. Their resilience against moisture, fading, and insects ensures prolonged durability in the poolside environment. With a range of styles and colors, composite fences effortlessly enhance pool areas while providing enduring safety and visual appeal.
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When installed by true Tampa Bay fence company professionals, such as Tampa Fence, a pool fence can last a long time and meet all of your needs! The easiest way to find out is to do some research and then speak with our helpful team, who can make recommendations based on their experience in the Tampa Bay, Florida, area.
Tampa Fence is Your Partner in Pool Safety Solutions!
If you just had a pool installed in your backyard and want to ensure that your Tampa Bay pool fence meets all the safety criteria, Tampa Fence is here to help! We are a reputable Tampa Bay fence company that will ensure that you meet the necessary regulations to protect your family and pets. We can help with everything from installation to replacement for your pool fencing!
Contact our friendly, experienced staff today by calling (813) 960-4300 or contacting us online. Our team of experts is available to answer any of your questions and help you with your fencing needs!
