ASTM F1346-91(2010)
(Specification)Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes requirements for safety covers for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and wading pools (hereinafter referred to as pools, unless otherwise specified). When correctly installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, this specification is intended to reduce the risk of drowning by inhibiting the access of children under five years of age to the water.
1.2 This specification includes performance tests to demonstrate the compliance or noncompliance to requirements herein stated for safety covers. It also includes marking requirements for all covers.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are given for information only.
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods section, Section 9, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:F1346 −91 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Performance Specification for
Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for
Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1346; 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.
1. Scope 3.1.2 automatic cover—a cover which can be placed over
the water area and removed with a motorized mechanism
1.1 This specification establishes requirements for safety
actuated by a suitable control mechanism. See also power
covers for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and wading pools
safety cover (PSC), other cover (OC).
(hereinafter referred to as pools, unless otherwise specified).
When correctly installed and used in accordance with the 3.1.3 barrier—something that restrains or obstructs access
manufacturer’s instructions, this specification is intended to
to the body of water.
reducetheriskofdrowningbyinhibitingtheaccessofchildren
3.1.4 blanket—a material used for thermal insulation. See
under five years of age to the water.
also solar energy blanket.
1.2 This specification includes performance tests to demon-
3.1.5 cover—something that covers, protects or shelters, or
strate the compliance or noncompliance to requirements herein
a combination thereof, a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub.
stated for safety covers. It also includes marking requirements
3.1.6 debris cover—a cover with attendant appurtenances
for all covers.
positioned over the pool area which permits the cover to
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
prevent debris, such as foliage, dirt, windblown trash, and the
as the standard. The values in parentheses are given for
like from entering the pool. It is intended to be completely
information only.
removed before the entry of bathers. See also other covers
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
(OC).
test methods section, Section 9, of this specification: This
3.1.7 decks—those areas abutting a pool, spa, or hot tub that
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
are specifically constructed or installed (for example, of wood,
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
concrete, brick, stone, and the like) for use by bathers for
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
sitting, standing or walking and may also act as a base for
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
supports for covers.
tions prior to use.
3.1.8 dome—a semipermanent enclosure supported by
2. Referenced Documents
trusses, or positive air pressure erected over the pool area to
provide temperature and atmospheric control over the pool
2.1 NFPA Document:
environment.
National Electrical Code, Article 680-26
3.1.9 energy conservation—the reduction of heat loss from
3. Terminology
pool water through air convection or evaporative cooling, or
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: both.
3.1.1 appurtenances—subordinate parts or adjunct acces-
3.1.10 hot tub—a spa constructed of wood with sides and
sory components to the cover such as hardware including
bottoms formed separately; and the whole shape joined to-
buckles, straps, ties, springs, anchors, tracks, rollers, lifting
gether by pressure from surrounding hoops, bands or rods; as
arms, and the like.
distinct from spa units formed of plastic, concrete, metal, or
other materials.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
3.1.11 inaccessible locations—alocationatleast5ft(1.5m)
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.28 on
above the ground with no other access such as hand or
Covers for Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.
footholds which would permit a child to reach the location.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2010. Published December 2010. Originally
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F1346 – 91
3.1.12 manual cover—a cover which requires it to be placed
(Reapproved 2003). DOI: 10.1520/F1346-91R10.
over the water area by hand. See also manual safety cover
Available from National Fire Protection Assoc., Batterymarch Park, Quincy,
MA 02269. (MSC), and other covers (OC).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1346−91 (2010)
3.1.13 markings—theapplicationofnumbers,letters,labels, 4. Cover Classifications and Minimum Qualification
tags, symbols or colors to provide identification and safety Criteria
information and to expedite handling during shipment and
4.1 Power Safety Cover (PSC)—Provides a high level of
storage.
safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting their
3.1.14 manual safety cover (MSC)—abarrierwhichrequires
access to the water.
it to be placed over the water manually. Provides a high level
4.1.1 Mustsatisfy5.1–5.3,6.1–6.5,7.1–7.4,8.1,8.2,8.4
of safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting their
– 8.12, 9.1 – 9.4, 10.1 – 10.4, and all subsections.
access to the water.
4.2 Manual Safety Cover (MSC)—Provides a high level of
3.1.15 other covers (OC)—includes any cover type not
safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting their
incorporated in the other two classifications; PSC, MSC. They
access to the water. May require a longer period of time to be
are not intended to serve as a barrier for children under the age
fully secured.
of five.
4.2.1 Mustsatisfy5.1–5.3,6.1–6.5,7.1–7.4,8.1,8.2,8.4
– 8.12, 9.1 – 9.4, and all subsections.
3.1.16 power safety cover (PSC)—a barrier which can be
placed over the water area and removed with a motorized
4.3 Other Covers (OC)—Includes any cover type not incor-
mechanismactuatedbyasuitablecontrolmechanism.Provides
porated in the other two categories MSC, PSC. They are not
a high level of safety for children under the age of five by
intended to serve as a barrier for children under the age of five.
inhibiting their access to the water.
Design characteristics may be hazardous when used in the
3.1.17 safety cover—a barrier (intended to be completely presence of children under the age of five.
removed before entry of bathers), for swimming pools, spas, 4.3.1 Shall satisfy 5.1 – 5.3, 8.1 – 8.3, 8.5 – 8.12, and all
hot tubs or wading pools, attendant appurtenances and/or subsections.
anchoring mechanisms which reduces—when properly
labeled, installed, used and maintained in accordance with the
5. Materials and Manufacture
manufacturers’publishedinstructions—theriskofdrowningof
5.1 Only materials not known to be harmful to health,
children under five years of age, by inhibiting their access to
within the intended application, shall be used.
the contained body of water, and by providing for the removal
5.2 All materials and components shall be durable and
of any substantially hazardous level of collected surface water.
satisfactory for the intended purpose under the conditions
See also power safety cover (PSC), and manual safety cover
normally prevailing at the site.
(MSC).
5.3 The cover shall be manufactured or fabricated, or both,
3.1.18 solar energy blankets—a cover which is a floating
in accordance with generally accepted, good manufacturing
translucent (not transparent) heat insulating sheet
practices.
incorporating, for example, encapsulated air bubbles or similar
low heat transfer (floating) sheet material whose purpose is to
6. General Requirements for Safety Covers
inhibit heat dissipation from the pool water surface through air
convection or evaporative cooling.The sheet material, custom-
6.1 Installation/Use of safety covers—Unless installed by
arilytranslucent(nottransparent)topermitthetransferofsolar
the manufacturer, or responsible parties, or both, detailed
radiation energy directly to the pool water at all depths and
instructions for installation shall be given in a form included in
intended for day and night use, is cut to the shape of the pool
the packaging or a label, or both, attached to the cover.
and is not affixed to the pool structure. It is intended to be
6.2 Labels attached to the cover shall meet the general
completely removed before the entry of bathers.
requirements described in 8.5.1 and 8.8 – 8.8.2.
3.1.19 energy conservation blanket—a cover which is a
6.3 Markings for safety covers shall include:
floating heat insulating sheet material incorporating, for
6.3.1 the manufacturer’s name,
example, a cellular foam or similar low-heat transfer material
6.3.2 date manufactured or installed, and
whose purpose is to inhibit heat loss from the covered water,
6.3.3 instructions to consumers to inspect the cover for
through air convection or evaporative cooling, or both. Such
premature wear or deterioration.
materials are customarily cut to the shape of the pool and are
6.3.4 Labels attached to covers shall meet the general
intended for a night covering. The blanket is not affixed to the
requirements described in 8.4.1, 8.7 – 8.8.1, and 8.9.
pool structure. It is intended to be completely removed before
the entry of bathers.
6.4 Fastening mechanisms or devices—Ties, attachment
points, anchors, anchorage, and controls for automatic covers
3.1.20 wading pool—a shallow pool intended for wading,
or other means of fastening a cover shall include provisions
not swimming.
such as keys, combination locks, special tools, devices, or
3.1.21 waterline—the waterline shall be defined in one of
inaccessible locations, and the like, to inhibit children under
the following ways:
five years of age from removing or operating the cover. When
3.1.22 skimmer system—the water line shall be at the
subjectedtotheloadandperimeterdeflectiontestsdescribedin
mid-point of the operating range of the skimmers.
9.1and9.2,allfasteningdevicesshallremainintheirintended,
3.1.23 overflow system—the waterline shall be at the top of secured or closed, or both, position.After the test, the intended
the overflow outlet. performance of the device should not be impaired.
F1346−91 (2010)
6.5 Openings—The cover shall be designed in such a way 8. Minimum Label Requirements for All Covers for
that, when it is tested by the test method described in 9.4, any Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
opening in the major component or between the edge of the
8.1 Product Label—All covers shall be labeled/marked to
cover and the deck surface or coping wall, or both, and the top
identify manufacturers or other responsible parties (such as
surface of the spa or pool does not allow the test object to pass
private label distributors), or both. Labels attached to covers
through.Thetestobjectshallnotgainaccesstothewater,orbe
shall meet the general requirements described in 8.5.1 and 8.8
subject to entrapment.
– 8.8.2.
6.6 Seams, ties or welds in the cover shall show no signs of
8.2 Warning Labels—All covers shall be required to have
damage, which will impair intended performance of the device
attached the following warning label:
when the cover is tested by the methods described in 9.1 – 9.4.
8.2.1 Signal Word—WARNING.
8.2.2 Safety Alert Symbol—Preceding the signal word there
7. Performance Requirements for Safety Covers
shall be triangle with an exclamation point inside the triangle.
7.1 Static Load—In the case of a pool with a width or
8.2.2.1 Word Message—The standard word message shall
diameter greater than 8 ft (2.4 m) from the periphery, the cover
be AVOID DROWNING RISK which shall be the first mes-
shallbeabletoholdaweightof485lb(220.0kg)(2adultsand
sage to appear directly under the signal word.
1 child) to permit a rescue operation.
8.2.2.2 Additional Word Message Statement—Covers with
7.1.1 In the case of a pool with a width or diameter not
any of the outlined hazards in Fig. 1 shall list all applicable
greater than 8 ft (2.4 m) the cover shall withstand the weight of
warning statements on the label.
275 lb (125 kg) (weight of a child and an adult). Compliance
8.3 Color—Non-safety cover warning label.
shall be determined by the test method described in 9.1.
8.3.1 Signal Word—Black letters with orange background.
7.2 Perimeter Deflection—The cover shall be designed in
8.3.2 Safety Alert Symbol—Black triangle with orange ex-
such a way that, when it is tested by the test method described
clamation point.
in 9.2, deflection of the cover does not allow the test object to
8.3.3 Word Message—Black lettering on white background
pass between the cover and the side of the pool, or to gain
or white letters on black background.
access to the water.
8.4 Color—Safety cover warning label.
7.3 Surface Drainage—The cover shall be so constructed,
8.4.1 Colors assigned to the signal word panel may also be
or incorporate a system, or have an auxiliary system provided,
used for the message word panel provided the panel colors
that when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s
contrast with the lettering of the label. This is applicable to
instructions, shall drain substantially all standing water from
covers conforming with the PSC and MSC classifications only.
the cover within a period of 30 min after cessation of normal
rainfall. Compliance shall be determined by the test in 9.3.
8.5 Warning Label—Letter size.
8.5.1 Lettering shall be of a size that enables a person with
7.4 Opening Tests—The tests shall be conducted by the test
method described in 9.4 to demonstrate that any opening in the normal vision, including corrected vision, to read the safety
sign or label at a safe viewing distance from the hazard.
major component or between the edge of the cover and the
Considerations should be given to environmental variables that
deck surface or coping wall, or both, and the top surface of the
will affect readability.
pool or the top surface of the spa is sufficiently small and
strong to prevent the opening from being forced to a size that 8.5.2 Signal Word—Letter height shall be at least 50 %
will allow the test object to pass through. greater than the selected height of the message panel wording.
“HAZARD/WARNING STATEMENT CHART”
If This Hazard Exists: Add This Warning Statement:
*Will not support weight (as defined in this specification) Nonsecured or *Stay off cover—will not support weight.
improperly secured covers
*Concealment by slipping under cover *Keep children away. Children or objects cannot be seen under cover.
*Drowning on top of cover in accumulated surface water (as defined in this *Remove Standing Water—child can drown on top of cover.
specification)
*Concealment, Entrapment—Drowning under cover *Remove cover(s) completely before entry of bathers—entrapment possible.
*General requirement
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