Private swimming pools come with lots of responsibility for homeowners in Lakeland, FL. While they’ll undoubtedly benefit from infinite hours of fun, they also juggle local pool safety requirements like building a pool fence and keeping the area secure.
How tall does a pool fence have to be in Lakeland, FL? As Lakeland’s pool fence company, My Fence Company’s team ensures that each client’s fence follows the local and international building code specifications for optimal safety and peace of mind. They developed the guide below to help homeowners better understand swimming pool safety requirements.
Are Pool Fences Required?
The Florida State government requires that a barrier secures the perimeter surrounding each ground pool. The 2011 Florida Statutes clearly outline how to construct the fence to ensure the safety of the property’s occupants. These specifications protect children, pets, and people who have limited mobility from fatal or injurious accidents.
Laws regarding pool fences don’t just affect Floridians in Lakeland. All states have their own sets of laws implemented to protect vulnerable parties from unwittingly penetrating a potentially dangerous area.
How Tall Does a Pool Fence Have To Be?
Before breaking ground on a fence construction project, homeowners should know the required fence height and why officials chose this measurement. The fence must not allow children and pets to climb over it. They also shouldn’t have enough space to crawl beneath the fence. However, the average adult should easily peer over the top of the fence. The fence should also be substantial enough for other people on the property to detect it from a distance.
So, how tall does a pool fence have to be in Lakeland, FL? Each pool fence should measure at least four feet in height.
Other Pool Fence Specifications Mandated by Florida Law
Fence height isn’t the sole factor that homeowners should work into their pool plans. Florida law also has several other specifications to further secure the area. Those specifications include:
- Outward-facing, self-latching gate. The gates should swing shut when released with enough force that the latches catch on their own.
- No open areas in the fence large enough for a small child to get through. Schedule prompt repairs when boards loosen or sections fall.
- Enough space between the pool’s edge and the fence to allow people to walk safely without the risk of falling into the water.
- Elimination of any items that help children climb over the fence.
Reputable fence contractors in Lakeland, FL, know both municipal and state-level requirements well. They’ll ensure that their clients’ fences follow each stipulation well before breaking ground on the property. They can also ensure that the fence looks appealing both inside and outside, making it an attractive part of the backdrop.
What Happens Without a Pool Fence?
If a Lakeland homeowner avoids installing a quality fence around their swimming pool, they break state laws and put animals, disabled people, and especially children in danger. Small pets may fall into the deep waters and fail to pull themselves out. If a person with limited mobility approaches, unaware of the pool, they risk tripping, losing control of their mobility equipment, and struggling to escape the waters below.
Pools draw children to their water, like moths to flames. Without supervision, a child could fall into the pool and drown, leaving a grieving family and a negligent homeowner facing charges. Until four years old, children are especially susceptible to drowning because most don’t learn how to swim until later in childhood.
What Else Should Homeowners Consider?
When preparing a safe pool area on their private properties, homeowners should take additional precautions outside of installing fences. The following list outlines measures that could further secure their swimming pools:
- Each pool must include a safety covering to prevent fall hazards when not in use.
- Homeowners must install a pool away from immediate home access and place an enclosure, such as a covered deck, between the building and the pool.
- Any doors through which a person can access the pool area must close automatically.
Contact My Fence Company About a Sturdy Pool Fence
How tall does a pool fence have to be? It has to reach at least four feet in height to protect children and pets. Homeowners should consider other safety aspects regarding their pool fences, such as the depth of a pool without a fence or how the slope affects fence height.
Contact My Fence Company to schedule a free estimate today.
