Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/588129
34 • NOVEMBER 2015 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Editor's note: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 1995 published a set of guidelines for residential swimming pools de- signed to prevent child drownings. It was published in its entirety in World Fence News, by permission. In re- cent years, the guidelines have been revised and updated by CPSC, and therefore we are again presenting them in their updated format. Fence dealers should use these guidelines to advise their customers on the proper type of fencing and gates to protect toddlers from accidentally entering their pools, since fencing and gates have shown to be the most effective (but not only) line of defense. This is the second installment of the updated guidelines; the fi rst installment was published in the October edition of WFN. You can also view the guide- lines in their entirety at the web site www.poolsafely.gov. CPSC notes that the document is in the public domain, and therefore it may be reproduced and disseminated, in part or in whole, without permission, by an individual or organization. For further informa- tion on this and other safety topics, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Offi ce of Com- munications, 4330 East West High- way, Bethesda, Md. 20814; web site: www.cpsc.gov. Safety barrier guidelines for residential pools; preventing child drownings, part 2 COURTESY U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFET Y COMMISSION Gates There are two kinds of gates which might be found on a residential property: pedestrian gates and vehicle or other types of gates. Both can play a part in the design of a swimming pool barrier. All gates should be de- signed with a locking device. Pedestrian gates These are the gates people walk through. Swimming pool barriers should be equipped with a gate or gates which restrict access to the pool. G a t e s s h o u l d open out from the pool and should be sel f- clos- ing and self-latch- ing. If a gate is properly designed and not com- pletely latched, a young child pushing on the gate in order to enter the pool area will at least close the gate and may actually engage the latch. (See Figure 12.) The weak link in the strongest and highest fence is a gate that fails to close and latch completely. For a gate to close completely every time, it must be in proper working order. When the release mechanism of the self-latching device on the gate is less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, the release mechanism for the gate should be at least 3 inches below the top of the gate on the side facing the pool. Placing the release mechanism at this height prevents a young child from reaching over the top of a gate and releasing the latch. Also, the gate and barrier should have no opening greater than 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the latch release mechanism. This prevents a young child from reaching through the gate and releasing the latch. (See Figure 13.) All other gates (Vehicle entrances, etc.) Other gates should be equipped with self-latching devices. The self-latching devices should be in- stalled as described for pedestrian gates. When the house forms part of the pool barrier In many homes, doors open direct- ly from the house onto the pool area Figure 12 Figure 13 continued on page 37 BUILDING A SOLID PARTNERSHIP WITH DOORKING OPERATORS Together, Pro Access Systems and Doorking provide durable, maintenance-free, aluminium gates and reliable gate operators. Contact us for all of your access control needs. AT L A N TA ( 7 7 0 ) 9 5 5 - 4 4 11 C H A R LOT T E ( 7 0 4 ) 6 7 2 - 4 7 0 0 C H I CAG O ( 6 3 0 ) 4 2 6 - 0 0 2 2 D E N V E R ( 3 0 3 ) 2 8 8 - 7 0 0 3 K A N S AS C I T Y ( 4 6 9 ) 6 0 0 - 3 3 17 LO U I S V I L L E ( 5 0 2 ) 3 10 - 8 0 0 0 TA M PA ( 8 13 ) 8 8 1- 12 0 0 Your single source provider of gates, access controls, operators, hardware and support. Visit ProAccessSystems.com or call (800) 800-3356 today. SLIDE GATES | SWING GATES | CRASH GATES | CUSTOM GATES AND FABRICATION access control needs. BUILDING A SOLID PARTNERSHIP WITH DOORKING OPERATORS BUILDING A SOLID PARTNERSHIP WITH Booth No. 408