Pool And Spa Safety At A Home Inspection

If a property has a swimming pool, Steve Stenros of First Choice Inspections also evaluates pool and spa safety at a home inspection. A swimming pool or spa is defined as a permanent vessel used for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 18" deep.  If you have a pool or spa on your property and a drowning incident occurs, you could be held liable if the appropriate safety barriers or components are not in place.

Let's look at three commonly-seen issues concerning pool and spa safety at a home inspection here in San Diego County, California:

1. Pedestrian gates are a vital component when evaluating pool and spa safety at a home inspection. All gates leading to the pool and spa area are required to swing outward, be self-closing and self-latching, and have a child-proof latch. The latch must be installed at least 54" above the bottom of the gate. If the latch is lower than 54", the release mechanism must be at least three inches below the top of the gate on the side facing the pool, and there should be no openings larger than 1/2" within 18" of the latch.

2. The barrier around a pool and spa area must be at least five feet high. If the enclosure is a chain link fence, the maximum mesh size is 1 3/4" square unless slats are installed in the fencing (so it cannot be climbed). The maximum opening allowed in any pool barrier is four inches. Pools built after 1996 must also have a secondary barrier at least 48" high installed around the pool itself.

3. All doors adjacent to the pool and spa area should have an audible alarm installed or other component which restricts children from entering the pool and spa area. The safety device must be installed at least 54" high.

Of course, there are also many other components Steve evaluates when checking for pool and spa safety at a home inspection. Swimming is a fun and healthy recreational activity. Let's keep it that way! Always think safety, especially if there are small children around!

Steve is a member of CREIA (California Real Estate Inspection Association) and holds the MCI designation (Master CREIA Inspector). For a complete evaluation of pool and spa safety at a home inspection, Steve can be reached for appointment at 888-335-3040.

Originally posted on ActiveRain.