ASTM F1908-08

Standard Guide for Fences for Residential Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide sets forth minimum standard requirements for use in local codes and ordinances relating to residential outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
This guide does not have the effect of law, nor is it intended to supersede local codes and ordinances of a more restrictive nature.
Studies, as listed in Annex A1, have been referenced as the bases for certain recommendations in this guide and will assist those who intend to provide protection against drownings and near-drownings by restricting access to children under the age of five years in residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. This would include, but not be limited to, state and local governments, model code organizations, building code groups, and consumers. It is understood that the format will vary depending upon the specific use and local conditions.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides recommended minimum requirements for various types of fences for residential outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in brackets are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2008
• ICS: 97.220.10 - Sports facilities
• Technical Committee: F14 - Fences
• Drafting Committee: F14.10 - Specific Applications and Other Fence Systems and Components

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1908-07 - Standard Guide for Fences for Residential Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM F1908-08(2013) - Standard Guide for Fences for Residential Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2013
• Referred By: ASTM F2286-16(2023) - Standard Design and Performance Specification for Removable Mesh Fencing for Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F1908 −08
StandardGuide for
Fences for Residential Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs,
1
and Spas
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1908; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
4
1. Scope 2.3 APSP Document:
ANSI/APSP-7 Model Barrier Code for Residential Swim-
1.1 This guide provides recommended minimum require-
ming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
ments for various types of fences for residential outdoor
5
2.4 ICC Document:
swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
International Building Code—2006
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
5
2.5 SBCCI Document:
as standard. The values stated in brackets are for information
1993 SBCCI Bluebook, Standard Swimming Pool Code
only.
6
2.6 ANSI Standards:
Z535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3. Terminology
A392 Specification for Zinc-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence
3.1 See Terminology F552 for definitions of terms relating
Fabric
to chain link fencing.
A491 Specification for Aluminum-Coated Steel Chain-Link
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Fence Fabric
3.2.1 fence, n—atypeofbarrierthatsurroundsandobstructs
F552 Terminology Relating to Chain Link Fencing
access to the pool, tub, or spa.
F668 Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyolefin
and Other Polymer-Coated Steel Chain Link Fence Fabric
3.2.2 grade, n—the finished elevation at any specified point
F1183 Specification for Aluminum Alloy Chain Link Fence
of the ground or pavement outside the pool area.
Fabric
3.2.3 hot tub, n—See spa.
F1345 Specification for Zinc-5 % Aluminum-Mischmetal
3.2.4 outdoor, adj—located outside of a completely en-
Alloy-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
closed building or other structure.
F1346 Performance Specification for Safety Covers and
3.2.5 residential, adj—situated on the premises of a de-
Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming
Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs tachedone-ortwo-familydwellingoraone-familytownhouse
not more than three stories in height.
F2286 DesignandPerformanceSpecificationforRemovable
Mesh Fencing for Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
3.2.6 spa (nonportable), n—a permanent structure contain-
F2518 Guide for Use of a Residential Swimming Pool, Spa,
ing water over 24 in. [610 mm] deep, in which the water-
and Hot Tub Safety Audit to Prevent Unintentional
heating and water-circulating equipment are not an integral
Drowning
part of the product, intended for recreational bathing.
3
2.2 CPSC Document:
3.2.7 spa (portable), n—a nonpermanent structure contain-
CPSC Staff Recommendations, Barriers for Residential
ing water over 24 in. [610 mm] deep, in which all controls,
Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs (March 1992)
water-heating, and water-circulating equipment are an integral
part of the product, intended for recreational bathing.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F14 on Fences and is
3.2.8 swimming pool, n—an in-ground, on-ground, or
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F14.10 on Specific Applications .
above-ground structure of a permanent, semi-permanent, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published February 2008. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F1908 – 07. DOI:
10.1520/F1908-08.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), 2111
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, http://www.asps.org.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from International Code Council (ICC), 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite
the ASTM website. 600, Falls Church, VA 22041-3401, http://www.intlcode.org.
3 6
Available from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 4330 East Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
West Hwy., Bethesda, MD 20814, http://www.cpsc.gov. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1908−08
portable fabrication containing water over 24 in. [610 mm] between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the
deep and designed and constructed in accordance with local fence shall be no greater than 4 in. [102 mm] in any direction.
codes, used for bathing, swimming, diving, racing, or other
6.4 Solid Barriers that do not have openings, such as
ac
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:F1908–07 Designation: F 1908 – 08
Standard Guide for
Fences for Residential Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs,
1
and Spas
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1908; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides recommended minimum requirements for various types of fences for residential outdoor swimming
pools, hot tubs, and spas.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in brackets are for information only.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A 392 Specification for Zinc-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
A 491 Specification for Aluminum-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
F 552 Terminology Relating to Chain Link Fencing
F 668 Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Other Organic Polymer-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
F 1183 Specification for Aluminum Alloy Chain Link Fence Fabric
F 1345 Specification for Zinc-5% Aluminum-Mischmetal Alloy-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
F 1346 Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements forAll Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and
Hot Tubs
F 2286 Design and Performance Specification for Removable Mesh Fencing for Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
F 2518 Guide for Use of a Residential Swimming Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Safety Audit to Prevent Unintentional Drowning
3
2.2 CPSC Document:
CPSC Staff Recommendations, Barriers for Residential Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs (March 1992)
4
2.3 APSP Document:
ANSI/APSP-7 Model Barrier Code for Residential Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
5
2.4 ICC Document:
International Building Code—2006
5
2.5 SBCCI Document:
1993 SBCCI Bluebook, Standard Swimming Pool Code
6
2.6 ANSI Standards:
Z535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels
3. Terminology
3.1 See Terminology F 552 for definitions of terms relating to chain link fencing.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 fence, n—a type of barrier that surrounds and obstructs access to the pool, tub, or spa.
3.2.2 grade, n—the finished elevation at any specified point of the ground or pavement outside the pool area.
3.2.3 hot tub, n—See spa.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F14 on Fences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F14.10 on Specific Applications .
Current edition approved MayFeb. 1, 2007.2008. Published June 2007.February 2008. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20062007 as
F1908-06.F 1908 – 07.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 4330 East-West East West Hwy., Bethesda, MD 20814, http://www.cpsc.gov.
4
Available from The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), 2111 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, http://www.asps.org.
5
Available from International Code Council, 4051 W. Flossmoor Rd., Country Club Hills, IL 60478–5795.
5
Available from International Code Council (ICC), 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 600, Falls Church, VA 22041-3401, http://www.intlcode.org.
6
Available from Southern Building Code Congress International, 900 Montclair Rd., Birmingham, AL 35213–1206.
6
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1908–08
3.2.4 outdoor, adj—located outside of a completely enclosed building or other structure.
3.2.5 residential, adj—situated on the premises of a detached one- or two-family dwelling or a one-family town house not more
than three stories in height.
3.2.6 spa (nonportable), n—a permanent structure containing water over 24 in. [610 mm] deep, in which the water-heating and
water-circulating equipment are not an integral part of the product, intended for recreational bathing.
3.2.7 spa (portable), n—a nonpermanent structure containing water over 24 in. [610 mm] deep, in which all controls,
water-heating, and water-circulating
...