HomeMy WebLinkAboutAbove Ground Swimming Pools Handout 2021 CodesThis hand out only applies to Residential Above Ground Storable Pools. Please contact our office if you have permitting questions about a different type of pool.
RESIDENTIAL ABOVE GROUND STORABLE POOL HANDOUT
What Pools Need Permits and Why It’s Important: Swimming pools can become dangerous, especially for young children. As incidents occur, building codes establish safety standards to regulate
pools to keep the community safe. Swimming Pools are regulated by the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), as referenced in the Washington Residential Code.
On ground storable pools for residential use are extremely popular as they have a relatively low initial cost of ownership (as compared to permanent inground residential pools) and can
be disassembled and moved to another location. While these kinds of pools have special unique requirements for equipment, overall, they are still required to comply with the ISPC Chapter
3 and 7 and require a permit. View the code section free of charge at https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ISPSC2021V1.0
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No Permit required. Port Orchard Municipal Code 20.200.014(2) exempts prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep with no circulation system.
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A swimming pool designed to be connected to a circulation system requires a permit and must be in compliance with Chapter 3 and 7 of the IPSC
Pool Barriers: Section 305 of the ISPSC discusses barrier requirements for residential pools. Pool barriers are intended to keep unattended children from entering the pool. Several barrier
options are provided, including the use of an automatic pool cover, an approved fence, wall, using the house wall as part of the perimeter barrier, and using the pool wall itself as
the barrier.
Barrier Types – Pool Covers:
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*Important: the covers that come with most above ground pools do not comply with these requirements. If wanting to use a pool cover as the required barrier, section 305.1 requires the
cover to be powered and automatic. The cover must also be ASTM1346 compliant, which is a testing method. Electrical work to be permitted separately through Washington Department of
Labor and Industries
Barrier Types – 48” Tall Pool Wall:
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If the pool walls are at least 4ft high and the manufacturer allows it, the pool itself can act as the required pool barrier. The exterior sides must be non-climbable. When using the
pool wall as the required barrier, the ladder/steps into the pool must be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access into the pool. If your pool does not meet these
requirements, you will need to use another barrier option, see below.
Barrier Types – Less Than 48” Tall Pool Wall With Fence On Top:
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When mounted on top of the pool wall, there must be a vertical clearance of maximum 4” between the pool wall and the bottom of the fence. The total height from grade to the top of the
fence must be minimum 48.” The openings in the fence cannot allow the passage of a 4” sphere. Manufacturer’s specifications are required for fences above pool walls.
Barrier Types – Fences On Grade:
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If using on-grade fence and gates as the required barrier, the fence must be at least 48” tall. The vertical space between grade and the bottom of the fence cannot exceed 2”. If on a
solid surface, such as concrete slab, the vertical space to the bottom of the fence cannot exceed 4”. Openings in the barrier cannot allow the passage of a 4” diameter sphere. All fences
or freestanding walls that exceed 6ft tall require construction plans stamped by a Washington licensed registrant.
If fence is being placed in a front yard setback, the fence must be 48” exact and cannot exceed this height. The fence must be minimum 38% open and cannot be made of plastic. In no instance
may a fence within any yard setback exceed 6ft tall. See Residential Fence Design Standards here.
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If on a slope, height is measured from the highest grade 3ft horizontally out from the fence.
Barrier Type – Fence Clearances:
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All pool barrier fences must have a 36” clear zone measured from the fence to any permanent structures or equipment so that they cannot be used to climb the fence. Fences must be minimum
20” away from the water’s edge.
Fence Types – Horizontal Members:
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When fence has horizontal and vertical members and the horizontal members are spaced less than 45” the horizontal members must be on the pool side (to be non-climbable). Spacing between
vertical members to be max 1 ¾” wide.
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When fence has vertical and horizontal members and horizontal members are 45” apart or more, spacing between vertical members to be max 4”.
Fence Types – Diagonal Members:
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If fence has diagonal members, max opening made by diagonal members cannot exceed 1-¾”. The angle of the diagonal member cannot exceed 45 degrees from the vertical.
Fence Types – Chain Link:
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Openings in chain link fences cannot exceed 1 ¾ “ maximum.
Fence Types – Mesh:
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Mesh fences cannot be lifted more than 4” from grade. The mesh fence shall not allow passage of a 4” sphere under any mesh panel. Attachment devices must attach each fence section at
a height minimum 45” from grade (safety gate hooks). Mesh fences are not to be removable. Vertical post receptacles that are placed inside the patio surface must be nonconductive material.
Mesh fences are not allowed on top of on-ground pools.
If placed in a yard setback, mesh must be of vinyl or PVC material to meet Design Standards.
Barrier Types: Solid Freestanding Walls:
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Solid fences/walls cannot have indentations or protrusions that form handholds/footholds.
Barrier Types – Gates:
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Gates must open away from pool area and be self-closing and self-latching. Utility gates must remain locked when not in use. Multiple panel gates must have at least one leaf secured
in place and the adjacent leaf must be secured with a self-latching device. Where gate latch release mechanisms are accessed from the outside of the barrier and are not of the self-locking
type, such mechanism shall be located minimum 54“ above ground. Where door and gate latch release mechanisms are of the self-locking type such as where the lock is operated by means
of a key, an electronic opener or the entry of a combination into an integral combination lock, the lock operation control and the latch release mechanism shall be located 54” maximum
above the ground. When the latch in on the pool-side of the fence, gate spacing cannot exceed ½” maximum openings within 18” of the latch.
Barrier Types – Using a Structure as Part of the Pool Barrier
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Where a wall of the home or a structure serves as part of the barrier and where doors, gates, or windows provide direct access to the pool through that wall, one of the following is
required:
Operable windows with a sill height less than 48” above the floor, doors and gates must have an audible alarm when the window/door/screen is opened. Alarms must be UL 2017 listed.
In structures other than dwellings, the operable parts of the alarm deactivation switches must be min 48” and max 54” above the floor.
An approved means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, is provided. This means of protection cannot be less than the protection provided in #1.
Ladders/Steps:
Ladders must have a physical barrier to prevent children from swimming through riser openings or behind ladder/stairs. Determine which type the ladder/stairs are to see requirements.
Types A and B
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If A frame ladder has platform between handrails, min 12” width, min 12” length.
Platform must be at or above highest ladder tread – made with slip resistant material.
Must have two handrails that serve all treads, min 20” above upper most tread/platform. 1” – 1.9” diameter for handrail
Min 12” clear distance between handrails
Min 2” tread depth for ladder treads
Risers must be at uniform height min 7” max 12”
Type C
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Type C staircase ladders need minimum 2 handrails, min 20” above platform/top tread
1”-1.9” handrail diameter
Ladder treads horizontal uniform tread depth min 4”
Riser height to be min 7” max 12” uniform height. The vertical distance from the platform/top of pool to the uppermost tread must be same as uniform riser heights
Top step must be flush with the deck or 7”-12” below the deck level
Min 19” clear distance between side rails, unobstructed
Type D
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Clearance of min 3” max 6” between pool wall and the ladder
Min 2 handrails min 20” above platform/deck
Min 12” clear distance between handrails
1” – 1.9” handrail diameter
Riser height to be min 7” max 12” uniform height.
Vertical distance from pool coping, deck, or step surface to top tread must be mi 7” and max 12” and uniform with other risers
Min 2” tread depth
Types E and F
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Must have at least one handrail that serves all treads min 20” above top tread/platform
If handrails are removable, must be installed so they cannot be removed without use of tools
Leaning edge of handrails must be 18” horizontally from vertical plane of bottom riser
1” – 1.9” handrail diameter
Treads must have horizontal unobstructed depth min 10” and min 240 square inch surface area
Riser height to be min 7” max 12” uniform height.
Decks:
If the pool is supported on a deck, engineering will be required for the deck to support the loads.
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If the pool is surrounded by a deck that is provided by the pool manufacturer, it must be installed according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The ISPSC requires the
following:
Top surface of cantilevered deck max 1” higher than top of the pool wall
Decks installed flush with top rail of pool must have all gap openings closed off or capped
If deck extends over pool, max 3” beyond inside of top rail of pool
Decks must be slip resistant
Walk-around decks must have min 15” wide walking surface
If constructing a deck on site, construction plans for the deck are required either as part of the pool application or under a separate deck application.
Circulation System:
A pump with motor is required for water circulation. It must be sized to provide turnover of pool water at least once every 12 hours. Pressure type filters must have automatic internal
or manual external way to release air pressure. Pumps must be UL listed. Where a pressure-type filter is installed, a cleanable strainer or screen that captures materials such as solids,
debris, hair and lint shall be provided upstream of the circulation pump. An accessible means of shut off for the pump is required. Skimmers must have vent that serves as a vacuum break.
Safety Signs:
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Safety signage provided by the pool and ladder manufacturer must be posted on site.
Draining the Pool:
The discharge of chlorinated pool water to the stormwater conveyance system or ground, including catch basins or grounds on private property, is prohibited. A discharge of pool water
is conditionally allowable if it is:
Dechlorinated to a total residual of 0.1ppm or less;
pH adjusted to neutral (7);
Reoxygenated, if previously stagnant;
Thermally controlled to prevent a sudden increase in receiving water temperature;
Discharged at an appropriately slow volume and rate to settle solid material.
Please note that any wastewater generated by cleaning the now-empty swimming pool cannot be discharged to the stormwater conveyance system.
Inspections:
Once your permit application has been received, routed for review, and approved, your permit can be issued. Once your permit is issued, you can begin installing your pool barrier and
pool. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Once the pool installation is complete, all pool equipment is connected, and all required pool barriers are installed
and in place, you are ready to request your Building Final inspection.
Inspections can be requested through the group email inspections@portorchardwa.gov or through the online permit portal. Inspections must be requested by 3:00 PM the day before to make
it onto the schedule for the next business day, if the schedule is not full.
Questions?
For questions on pool draining, contact Public Works at publicworks@portorchardwa.gov
For questions on Residential Fence Design Standards for fences in yard setbacks, contact Planning at planning@portorchardwa.gov
For questions on pool barrier and other ISPSC requirements, contact Building at building@portorchardwa.gov
For permit process and application questions, contact the Permit Center at permitcenter@portorchardwa.gov
Ready to Apply for a Permit?
See our Submittal Requirements here.
Download and start filling out the Barrier Options Submittal Form here.
Begin applying for a permit online here: https://portorchardwa.gov/online-permitting/