Are there swimming pool fence laws in Arizona?

In Arizona, swimming pool fence laws are regulated by the Arizona Residential Code (ARC) and the Maricopa County Residential Swimming Pool Barrier Code (MCSWPCB). The ARC and MCSWPCB set forth specific requirements for swimming pool fences, gates, and other safety features to help prevent children from drowning in residential swimming pools.

Key Arizona Swimming Pool Fence Laws

According to the ARC and MCSWPCB, the following are some of the key swimming pool fence laws in Arizona:

1. Fence Height: Swimming pool fences must be at least 4 feet high (48 inches) measured from the ground to the top of the fence.

2. Fence Strength: Swimming pool fences must be strong enough to withstand a 250-pound force applied in any direction.

3. Fence Spacing: The spaces between fence slats or bars must not be more than 4 inches wide to prevent children from squeezing through.

4. Self-Closing Gates: Swimming pool gates must be self-closing and self-latching. The gates must be installed so that they swing away from the pool area and must be locked when not in use.

5. Clearance: There must be a minimum of 24 inches of clearance between the bottom of the fence and the ground to prevent children from crawling under the fence.

6. Inspections: Swimming pool fences and gates must be inspected by a qualified inspector before the pool can be used.

Additional Safety Measures

In addition to swimming pool fence laws, there are several other safety measures that can help prevent drowning in residential swimming pools:

1. Childproof Covers: Swimming pools should be covered with a childproof cover when not in use.

2. Safety Alarms: Swimming pools should be equipped with a safety alarm that sounds when someone enters the pool area.

3. Pool Maintenance: Swimming pool water should be properly maintained to keep it safe for swimming.

4. Adult Supervision: Children should always be supervised by an adult when swimming or playing near a swimming pool.

By following these swimming pool fence laws and safety measures, you can help prevent drowning and keep children safe in Arizona.