Ariz. Admin. Code § 18-5-240

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R18-5-240 - Barriers

A. A public swimming pool or spa and deck shall be entirely enclosed by a fence, wall, or barrier that is at least 6 feet high. A semipublic swimming pool or spa and deck shall be entirely enclosed by a fence, wall, or barrier that is at least 5 feet high. The height of the fence, wall, or barrier shall be measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the swimming pool or spa.

B. Fences or walls shall:

1. Be constructed to afford no external handholds or footholds;

2. Be of materials that are impenetrable to small children;

3. Have no openings or spacings of a size that a spherical object 4 inches in diameter can pass through; and

4. Be equipped with a gate that opens outward from the swimming pool or spa. The gate shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching closure mechanism or a locking closure located at or near the top of the gate, on the pool side of the gate, and at least 54 inches above the floor.

C. The distance between the horizontal components of a fence shall not be less than 45 inches apart. The horizontal members shall be located on the interior side of the fence. Spacing or openings between vertical members shall be of a size that a spherical object 4 inches in diameter cannot pass through.

D. The maximum mesh size for a wire mesh or chain link fence shall be a 1 3/4 inches square.

E. Masonry or stone walls shall not contain indentations or protrusions except for normal construction tolerances and tooled masonry joints.

F. If a wall of a building serves as part of the barrier around a public or semipublic swimming pool or spa, there shall be no direct access to the swimming pool or spa through the wall except as follows:

1. Windows leading to the swimming pool or spa area shall be equipped with a screwed-in place wire mesh screen or a keyed lock that prevents opening the window more than 4 inches.

2. A hinged door leading to the swimming pool or spa area shall be self-closing and shall have a self-latching device. The release mechanism of the self-latching device shall be located at least 54 inches above the floor.

3. If an additional set of doors is required by the fire code allowing access to the swimming pool or spa, they shall be self-closing and self-latching, equipped with panic bars no less than 54 inches from the floor to the bottom of the bar and designated "For Emergency Use Only."

4. Sliding doors leading to the swimming pool or spa area are prohibited except for sliding doors that are self-closing and self-latching.

G. If a barrier is composed of a combination concrete masonry unit and wrought-iron, the wrought iron portion shall be installed flush with the outside vertical surface of the concrete masonry unit. The space between the wrought iron and the concrete masonry unit shall be 1/2 inch or less. The vertical members of the wrought iron shall be spaced 4 inches on center.

H. Filtration, disinfection, and water circulation equipment shall be enclosed by a wall or fence.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R18-5-240

Adopted effective February 19, 1998 (Supp. 98-1).