ASTM F1908-08(2013)
(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.
General Information
Relations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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 (Reapproved 2013)
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 2.2 CPSC Document:
CPSC Staff Recommendations, Barriers for Residential
1.1 This guide provides recommended minimum require-
Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs (March 1992)
ments for various types of fences for residential outdoor
2.3 APSP Document:
swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas.
ANSI/APSP-7 Model Barrier Code for Residential Swim-
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
ming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
as standard. The values stated in parentheses are for informa-
2.4 ICC Document:
tion only.
International Building Code—2006
2.5 SBCCI Document:
2. Referenced Documents
1993 SBCCI Bluebook, Standard Swimming Pool Code
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2.6 ANSI Standards:
A392 Specification for Zinc-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence
Z535.4 Product Safety Signs and Labels
Fabric
A491 Specification for Aluminum-Coated Steel Chain-Link
3. Terminology
Fence Fabric
3.1 See Terminology F552 for definitions of terms relating
F552 Terminology Relating to Chain Link Fencing
to chain link fencing.
F668 Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyolefin
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
and Other Polymer-Coated Steel Chain Link Fence Fabric
3.2.1 fence, n—atypeofbarrierthatsurroundsandobstructs
F1183 Specification for Aluminum Alloy Chain Link Fence
access to the pool, tub, or spa.
Fabric
3.2.2 grade, n—the finished elevation at any specified point
F1345 Specification for Zinc-5 % Aluminum-Mischmetal
of the ground or pavement outside the pool area.
Alloy-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric
F1346 Performance Specification for Safety Covers and 3.2.3 hot tub, n—See spa.
Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming
3.2.4 outdoor, adj—located outside of a completely en-
Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
closed building or other structure.
F2286 DesignandPerformanceSpecificationforRemovable
3.2.5 residential, adj—situated on the premises of a de-
Mesh Fencing for Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, and Spas
tachedone-ortwo-familydwellingoraone-familytownhouse
F2518 Guide for Use of a Residential Swimming Pool, Spa,
not more than three stories in height.
and Hot Tub Safety Audit to Prevent Unintentional
3.2.6 spa (nonportable), n—a permanent structure contain-
Drowning (Withdrawn 2015)
ing 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.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F14 on Fences and is
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F14.10 on Specific Applications.
Current edition approved March 1, 2013. Published March 2013. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as F1908 – 08. DOI: Available from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 4330 East
10.1520/F1908-08R13. West Hwy., Bethesda, MD 20814, http://www.cpsc.gov.
2 5
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 service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, http://www.asps.org.
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 7
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
www.astm.org. 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 (2013)
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
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
corners of the installed mesh. The degree of tension applied to the fabric
tubs. This would include, but not be limited to, state and local
during installation could also affect this horizontal dimension. In all cases,
governments, model code organizations, building code groups,
the horizontal opening between the corners of the fabric mesh after
tensioning shall not exceed 1 ⁄4 in. (44 mm).
and consumers. It is understood that the format will vary
NOTE 2—Caution Regarding Privacy Slats—Privacy slats where used
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
shall be so designed and constructed that it has at least a 65 %
openareatoallowvisibilityfromadesignatedsupervisingarea
outside the pool area to inside the pool area.
6.3 Ground Clearance— The maximum vertical clearance
FIG. 1 If Horizontal Members are Less Than 45 in. Apart, Vertical
between grade and the bottom of the fence shall be 4 in. (102 Spacing Shall Not Exceed 1 ⁄4 in.
F1908−08 (2013)
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
the gate is not in use.
6.8.2 Single Leaf access gates shall open outward away
FIG. 2 If Horizontal Members are Equal to or More Than 45 in.
from the pool, shall be self-closing, and shall have a self-
Apart, Vertical Spacing Shall Not Exceed 4 in.
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
Specifications F1346 and F2286 and Guide F2518 to install
and ensure the proper layers of safety.
FIG. 3 Nominal 1 ⁄4 in. Square Chain Link Mesh
6.10 Above-Ground Pools or On-Ground Pools:
6.10.1 Pool Wall—Anabove-groundoron-groundpoolwall
itselfmaybethebarrierifthepoolstructureisongradeandthe
shall not violate the requirements of 6.2 regarding visibility.
wall is at least 48 in. (1219 mm) in height. Other types of
barriers can be mounted on the pool structure or can surround
6.7 Diagonal Members:
6.7.1 Where the fence is composed of diagonal members, the pool at ground level. Where the barrier is mounted on the
such as in a lattice fence, any opening created by the diagonal pool structure, the opening between the top surface of the pool
FIG. 4 Latch Release Mechanism
F1908−08 (2013)
frame and the bottom of the fence shall be no greater than 4 in. 6.11 Grounding—Continuous runs of metal fencing, in-
(102 mm) in any direction. Where an above-ground or on- stalled in the ground within 10 ft of the pool, shall be grounded
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
fence in accordance with 6.1 – 6.8 shall be provided.
7. Prohibited Locations
6.10.2 Ladders or Steps— Where an above-ground or on-
7.1 Fences shall be located so as to prohibit the use of
ground pool wall is used as a barrier or where the barrier is
permanent structures, equipment, or similar objects to aid in
mounted on the pool structure, and the means of access to the
climbing the fence.
pool is a ladder or steps, then:
7.2 ClearZone—Thereshallbeaclearzoneofatleast48in.
6.10.2.1 The ladder or steps shall be capable of being
(1219 mm) between the swimming pool barrier and any
secured, locked, or removed to prevent access; or
permanent structures or pool equipment such as pumps, filters,
6.10.2.2 The ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier
heaters, etc. that can be used as an aid to climb the 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. (1143 mm) height
8.3 Signage complying withANSI Z535.4 to provide warn-
requirements of 6.5.
ings about certain risks found in the pool/spa environment
6.10.3.3 Visibility—Where fencing is required and/or pro-
(such as: constant adult supervision required, maintain a clear
vided with the pool or deck, it shall comply with the require-
zone around the barrier, keep the gate closed and secured when
ments of 6.2.
pool/spa is not in use) shall be placed in the pool area and
6.10.4 Deck—Where an above-ground or on-ground po
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