ASTM F1908-08(2018)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Fences for Residential Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
Standard Guide for Fences for Residential Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This guide sets forth minimum standard requirements for use in local codes and ordinances relating to residential outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
5.2 This guide does not have the effect of law, nor is it intended to supersede local codes and ordinances of a more restrictive nature.
5.3 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 parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F1908 −08 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Guide for
Fences for Residential Outdoor Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs,
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.
1. Scope F2518 Guide for Use of a Residential Swimming Pool, Spa,
and Hot Tub Safety Audit to Prevent Unintentional
1.1 This guide provides recommended minimum require-
Drowning (Withdrawn 2015)
ments for various types of fences for residential outdoor
2.2 CPSC Document:
swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
CPSC Staff Recommendations, Barriers for Residential
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs (March 1992)
as standard. The values stated in parentheses are for informa-
2.3 APSP Document:
tion only.
ANSI/APSP-7 Model Barrier Code for Residential Swim-
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
ming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
2.4 ICC Document:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
International Building Code—2006
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 2.5 SBCCI Document:
1993 SBCCI Bluebook, Standard Swimming Pool Code
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2.6 ANSI Standards:
2. Referenced Documents
Z535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3. Terminology
A392 Specification for Zinc-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence
Fabric
3.1 See Terminology F552 for definitions of terms relating
A491 Specification for Aluminum-Coated Steel Chain-Link
to chain link fencing.
Fence Fabric
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
F552 Terminology Relating to Chain Link Fencing
3.2.1 fence, n—atypeofbarrierthatsurroundsandobstructs
F668 Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyolefin
access to the pool, tub, or spa.
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
F1345 Specification for Zinc-5 % Aluminum-Mischmetal
3.2.3 hot tub, n—See spa.
Alloy-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
3.2.4 outdoor, adj—located outside of a completely en-
F1346 Performance Specification for Safety Covers and
closed building or other structure.
Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming
3.2.5 residential, adj—situated on the premises of a de-
Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
tachedone-ortwo-familydwellingoraone-familytownhouse
F2286 DesignandPerformanceSpecificationforRemovable
not more than three stories in height.
Mesh Fencing for Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
1 3
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F14 on Fences and is The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
thedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF14.10onSpecificApplicationsandOther www.astm.org.
Fence Systems and Components. Available from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 4330 East
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018. Published August 2018. Originally West Hwy., Bethesda, MD 20814, http://www.cpsc.gov.
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F1908 – 08(2013). Available from The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), 2111
DOI: 10.1520/F1908-08R18. Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, http://www.asps.org.
2 6
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from International Code Council (ICC), 5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 600, Falls Church, VA 22041-3401, http://www.intlcode.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 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
F1908−08 (2018)
3.2.6 spa (nonportable), n—a permanent structure contain- openareatoallowvisibilityfromadesignatedsupervisingarea
ing water over 24 in. (610 mm) deep, in which the water- outside the pool area to inside the pool area.
heating and water-circulating equipment are not an integral
6.3 Ground Clearance— The maximum vertical clearance
part of the product, intended for recreational bathing.
between grade and the bottom of the fence shall be 4 in. (102
3.2.7 spa (portable), n—a nonpermanent structure contain-
mm) measured on the side of the fence that faces away from
ing water over 24 in. (610 mm) deep, in which all controls,
the swimming pool. Where the top of the pool structure is
water-heating, and water-circulating equipment are an integral
above grade, such as an above ground pool, the fence may be
part of the product, intended for recreational bathing.
at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure. Where
the fence is mounted on top of the pool structure, the space
3.2.8 swimming pool, n—an in-ground, on-ground, or
between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the
above-ground structure of a permanent, semi-permanent, or
fence shall be no greater than 4 in. (102 mm) in any direction.
portable fabrication containing water over 24 in. (610 mm)
deep and designed and constructed in accordance with local
6.4 Solid Barriers that do not have openings, such as
codes, used for bathing, swimming, diving, racing, or other
masonry or stone walls, shall not contain indentations or
activity.
protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and
tooled masonry joints. Such indentations shall not be deeper
4. Summary of Practice
than 0.375 in. (10 mm).
4.1 Thisguideisbasedinpartuponrecommendationsofthe
6.5 Horizontal and Vertical Members —Where the fence is
CPSC, the American Association of Pediatrics, the National
composed of horizontal and vertical members and if the
Center for Injury Prevention, and the American Medical
distance between the tops of the horizontal members is less
Association.ItalsoincorporatescertainprovisionsoftheAPSP
than45in.(1143mm),thehorizontalmembersshallnotextend
ModelBarrierCodeforResidentialSwimmingPools,Spasand
more than 0.375 in. (10 mm) outside of the enclosure, and the
Hot Tubs (ANSI/APSP-7).
spacing between the vertical members shall not exceed 1 ⁄4 in.
4.2 The CPSC recommends the use of barriers and other
(44mm)(seeFig.1).Ifthedistancebetweenthetopsofatleast
safety devices to create “layers of protection.” Performance
two consecutive horizontal members is 45 in. (1143 mm) or
Specifications F1346 and F2286 and Guide F2518 describe
more, the spacing between the vertical members shall not
various other layers that should be used in conjunction with
exceed 4 in. (102 mm) (see Fig. 2). Where there are decorative
this guide to reduce the risk of drowning for children under the 3
cutouts, the spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1 ⁄4 in.
age of five in residential swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
(44 mm).
6.6 Chain Link Fences—Mesh opening for chain link fences
5. Significance and Use
shall be a nominal 1 ⁄4 in. (32 mm) measured between the
5.1 This guide sets forth minimum standard requirements
parallel sides of the mesh, and a maximum of 1 ⁄4 in. (44 mm)
for use in local codes and ordinances relating to residential
measured horizontally between the corners of the installed
outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
mesh, as illustrated in Fig. 3 (see Note 1), unless the fence is
5.2 This guide does not have the effect of law, nor is it
provided with privacy slats (see Note 2) fastened at the top or
intended to supersede local codes and ordinances of a more
the bottom, in which case no opening in the mesh shall exceed
restrictive nature.
1 ⁄4 in. (44 mm).
5.3 Studies, as listed in AnnexA1, have been referenced as
NOTE 1—If the tolerance of 6 ⁄8 in. (3.2 mm) indicated in Specifica-
the bases for certain recommendations in this guide and will
tions A392, A491, F668, F1183, and F1345 is rigidly applied to an
ordered nominal mesh size of 1 ⁄4 in. (32 mm) measured between the
assistthosewhointendtoprovideprotectionagainstdrownings
parallel sides of the mesh, the result could be a dimension exceeding the
and near-drownings by restricting access to children under the
specifiedmaximumof1 ⁄4in.(44mm)measuredhorizontallybetweenthe
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.
6. Requirements
6.1 Height—The top of the fence shall be a minimum of 48
in. (1219 mm) above grade measured on the side of the fence
that faces away from the swimming pool. If the fence is
mounted on top of an above ground pool, the top of the fence
shall be a minimum of 36 in. (914 mm) above the top of the
pool structure, provided the top of the pool structure is a
minimum of 48 in. (1219 mm) above grade (see 3.2.2 for
definition of grade specific to this guide).
6.2 Visibility—The fence on top of an above ground pool
FIG. 1 If Horizontal Members are Less Than 45 in. Apart, Vertical
shall be so designed and constructed that it has at least a 65 % Spacing Shall Not Exceed 1 ⁄4 in.
F1908−08 (2018)
6.7.1 Where the fence is composed of diagonal members,
such as in a lattice fence, any opening created by the diagonal
members located less than 48 in. (1219 mm) above grade shall
be a maximum of 1 ⁄4 in. (44 mm) measured in its largest
direction.
6.7.2 Diagonal bracing members extending from one side to
the opposite side creating a ladder effect on all styles of fences
and gates are not permitted where spacing of vertical members
in any area between posts exceeds 1 ⁄4 in. (44 mm).
6.8 Access Gates:
6.8.1 Double Leaf access gates shall comply with the
requirements of 6.1 – 6.6 and shall be equipped with a padlock
or other key-operated locking deice that must be locked when
FIG. 2 If Horizontal Members are Equal to or More Than 45 in.
the gate is not in use.
Apart, Vertical Spacing Shall Not Exceed 4 in.
6.8.2 Single Leaf access gates shall open outward away
from the pool, shall be self-closing, and shall have a self-
latching device. Where the release mechanism of the self-
latching device is located less than 54 in. (1372 mm) above
grade, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side
of the gate a minimum of 3 in. (76 mm) below the top of the
gate and the gate and fence shall have no opening greater than
⁄2 in. (13 mm) within 18 in. (457 mm) of the release
mechanism when the gate is in the fully closed position (see
Fig. 4).
6.9 The fence shall completely surround the pool structure
whenpractical.Whereabuildingordwellingorportionthereof
must be utilized as part of the pool enclosure, and if the
exterior wall or walls of that portion of the building contains
doors, windows, or other openings refer to Performance
1 Specifications F1346 and F2286 and Guide F2518 to install
FIG. 3 Nominal 1 ⁄4 in. Square Chain Link Mesh
and ensure the proper layers of safety.
corners of the installed mesh. The degree of tension applied to the fabric
6.10 Above-Ground Pools or On-Ground Pools:
during installation could also affect this horizontal dimension. In all cases,
6.10.1 Pool Wall—Anabove-groundoron-groundpoolwall
the horizontal opening between the corners of the fabric mesh after
itselfmaybethebarrierifthepoolstructureisongradeandthe
tensioning shall not exceed 1 ⁄4 in. (44 mm).
NOTE 2—Caution Regarding Privacy Slats—Privacy slats where used
wall is at least 48 in. (1219 mm) in height. Other types of
shall not violate the requirements of 6.2 regarding visibility.
barriers can be mounted on the pool structure or can surround
6.7 Diagonal Members: the pool at ground level. Where the barrier is mounted on the
FIG. 4 Latch Release Mechanism
F1908−08 (2018)
pool structure, the opening between the top surface of the pool 6.11 Grounding—Continuous runs of metal fencing, in-
frame and the bottom of the fence shall be no greater than 4 in. stalled in the ground within 10 ft of the pool, shall be grounded
(102 mm) in any direction. Where an above-ground or on- in compliance with the requirements of local utilities and
ground pool wall is less than 48 in. (1219 mm) above the electrical codes.
ground, it is not considered a barrier and therefore a barrier
7. Prohibited Locations
fence in accordance with 6.1 – 6.8 shall be provided.
7.1 Fences shall be located so as to prohibit the use of
6.10.2 Ladders or Steps— Where an above-ground or on-
permanent structures, equipment, or similar objects to aid in
ground pool wall is used as a barrier or where the barrier is
climbing the fence.
mounted on the pool structure, and the means of access to the
7.2 ClearZone—Thereshallbeaclearzoneofatleast48in.
pool is a ladder or steps, then:
(1219 mm) between the swimming pool barrier and any
6.10.2.1 The ladder or steps shall be capable of being
permanent structures or pool equipment such as pumps, filters,
secured, locked, or removed to prevent access; or
heaters, etc. that can be used as an aid to climb the barrier.
6.10.2.2 The ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier
fence that meets the requirements of 6.1 – 6.8.
8. Maintenance and Inspection
6.10.3 Fence Mounted on Top of 48 in. (1219 mm) or
8.1 It is the responsibility of the home owner, occupant, or
Higher Above Ground or On Ground Pool Wall Structure:
tenant to maintain the integrity of the fence and to regularly
6.10.3.1 Where provided, the top rail of a fence mounted on inspect the gates, doors, etc. for proper closing and locking
top of the pool structure or deck of an above-ground or operation, and the alarms for correct operation.
on-ground pool that is in conformance with 6.10.1 shall be a
8.2 Keeptheareaoutsidethefencefreeoftoys,furniture,or
minimum of 36 in. (914 mm) above the deck surface.
other objects that could be moved by a child and used to climb
6.10.3.2 Where a picket or ornamental type fence is
the fence.
provided, it shall comply with the 45 in. (11
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.