Welcome to Georgia Luxury Pools! Understanding and adhering to pool barrier requirements is crucial for the safety of your family and community. In Georgia, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code 2018 (ISPSC 2018) sets the minimum standards for pool barriers. Some municipalities may have even stricter regulations, so always check your local codes. Below, we've outlined the key requirements you need to know.

NOTE: All Barrier Requirements need to be in place prior to water filling in the pool.

Every swimming pool must have a barrier that complies with the ISPSC 2018 standards before it is filled with water. These barriers are essential to prevent unsupervised access by children and enhance overall safety. The following are the general requirements:

• Height and Clearance: The barrier must be at least 48 inches high, measured from the ground on the side facing away from the pool.
  NOTE: 48” is the minimum. Some municipalities require a higher barrier: City of Woodstock requires 60 inches

• Openings: Gaps or openings in the barrier should not allow the passage of a 4-inch diameter sphere.

• Climb-Resistance: The barrier should not have any features that could be used as footholds or handholds for climbing.

• Ground Clearance: The maximum vertical clearance between the ground and the bottom of the barrier should be no more than 2 inches for non-solid surfaces (like grass) and no more than 4 inches for solid surfaces (like concrete).

General Guidelines for Pool Barriers

Gates are critical components of your pool barrier and must meet specific criteria:

• Self-Closing and Self-Latching: Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be installed on the pool side of the gate, at least 54 inches above the ground.

• Gate Swing Direction: Gates should open outward, away from the pool area.

• Locking Mechanisms: Ensure gates have secure locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Securing Pool Access Points

Any door that opens directly onto the pool area or onto a patio that leads to a pool, and/or any operable window with a sill height of less than 48 inches that provide direct access to the pool through the wall, shall be equipped with one or more of the following:

An alarm that produces an audible warning when the door or its screen or window, is opened.

• Make sure the alarm is listed and labeled as a water hazard alarm UL 2017

• Deactivation switch shall be located 54" or more above the threshold of the door

• The alarm should be loud: at least 85 dB (decibels) when measured 10 feet away from the alarm mech­anism. The alarm sound should be distinct from other sounds in the house, such as the telephone, doorbell and smoke alarm. The alarm should have an automatic reset feature. Since adults will want to pass through house doors in the pool barrier with­out setting off the alarm, the alarm should have a switch that allows adults to temporarily deactivate the alarm for up to 15 seconds.

• The deactivation switch could be a touchpad (key­pad) or a manual switch, and should be located at least 54 inches above the threshold of the door covered by the alarm. This height was selected based on the reaching ability of young children.

Alarm Barriers for Doors and Windows

Enhanced Safety Measures

Safety Covers: Use pool safety covers that comply with ASTM standards to provide an additional layer of protection.

Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain your pool barrier to ensure it remains effective and compliant with all regulations.

Stay Safe and Compliant

Don't wait until it's too late. Ensure your pool is compliant with Georgia's barrier requirements before filling it with water. Our team is here to help you navigate these regulations and provide the solutions you need.

Need More Information?

Click the image below to download the full PDF on Georgia's New Pool Barrier Requirements according to ISPSC 2018.