pool fence

[jerry1]

Citrus county fl, can i use chicken wire for the barrier fence it meets height and hole spacing. I plan on wrapping the entire pool deck from one corner of house to the other zero gates only entry is from house. i am aware of alarm requirments on sliders windows and doors.

thanks in advance

Jerry

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

The only way you would be able to use chicken wire for the safety barrier would be to verify that it meets all the requirements for a mesh safety barrier, and I doubt that chicken wire would meet those requiremetns.

From the 2007 Florida Building Code, Residential: (underlining and bold are mine)
- R4101.17.1.15 A mesh safety barrier meeting the requirements of Section R4101.17 and the following minimum requirements shall be considered a barrier as defined in this section:
- - 1. Individual component vertical support posts shall be capable of resisting a minimum of 52 pounds (229 N) of horizontal force prior to breakage when measured at a 36-inch (914 mm) height above grade. Vertical posts of the child mesh safety barrier shall extend a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm) below deck level and shall be spaced no greater than 36 inches (914 mm) apart.
- - 2. The mesh utilized in the barrier shall have a minimum tensile strength according to ASTM D 5034 of 100 lbf., and a minimum ball burst strength according to ASTM D 3787 of 150 lbf. The mesh shall not be capable of deformation such that a 1/4-inch (6.4 mm) round object could pass through the mesh.
- - - The mesh shall receive a descriptive performance rating of no less than "trace discoloration" or "slight discoloration" when tested according to ASTM G 53 (Weatherability, 1,200 hours).
- - 3. When using a molding strip to attach the mesh to the vertical posts, this strip shall contain, at a minimum, #8 by 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) screws with a minimum of two screws at the top and two at the bottom with the remaining screws spaced a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) apart on center.
- - 4. Patio deck sleeves (vertical post receptacles) placed inside the patio surface shall be of a nonconductive material.
- - 5. A latching device shall attach each barrier section at a height no lower than 45 inches (11 613 mm) above grade. Common latching devices that include, but are not limited to, devices that provide the security equal to or greater than that of a hook and eye type latch incorporating a spring actuated retaining lever (commonly referred to as a safety gate hook).
- - 6. The bottom of the child mesh safety barrier shall not be more than 1 inch (25 mm) above the deck or installed surface (grade).

Note that not only must the mesh meet the above requirements, but that it also must meet the full requirements of Section R4101.17, which is the R4101.17 Residential swimming barrier requirement section.

[jerry1]

Thanks so much for the responce. The info that the pool builder gives in reference to a barrier is much more basic 4ft high, a small child cannot climb it etc. but no reference to strength etc. It is discouraging because a screen enclosure that you could easily put your fist thru and tear the screen with verticle support spacing much greater than 3ft would passs the inspection. And something stronger albeit not as pretty wont pass argh beuracracy! Could you give me some insight as to the cheapest route to pass the barrier fence inspection? I have 2 32ft sides and 56 ft across the rear. The 2 32 ft sides connect to my house, my plan is to start at one corner of my hoiuse and completely wrap the pool deck and connect to the other sidfe of the house. Zero gates the only entry is from the house/lanai. I do not care about cosmetics at all it only has to get me a pass . Thank you again for this forum and your valuble responces. As i told you i live in citrus county fl

Jerry

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

[jerry1]

Thanks again, I am sorry if i implied that i was going to just take it down. My intention was as cheap as possible until the first of the year when i get my tax return , i plan on a nice aluminum rail and cannot afford to spend alot now as then it will be taken down and thrown away. Will standard chainlink work? I am very much a conservative and beleive in accountability i have no children and have no neighbors who have children within at least 150 yards. It is a shame that we gotten to this point that i have to go to extra expence to protect your child from my pool when the responsibility should fall squarely on you. Not you literaly but you see what i mean. Thanks again for your expertise

Jerry

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

Hi Jerry,

I also should add this about your intention of not installing a gate in that pool fence:
- Are there any bedrooms which open only to that area?
- Are there any other room which open only to that area?

First, the bedrooms - all sleeping rooms (bedrooms) are required to have an emergency escape and rescue opening (EERO) separate from the primary entrance door to the bedroom, this EERO may be another door or it may be a window. A person exiting through that EERO needs to be able to escape away from the house, and that fence without a gate in it would be considered as blocking the escape route. The same applies to a rescue route from the outdoor to that EERO for rescue persons.

Additionally, there should be two exits for the dwelling and each habitable space within the dwelling (although not clearly and definitively spelled out as with sleeping rooms), and that fence with no gate would block that exit route if the main exit is at the front and the secondary exit is at the rear where the pool and that fence is.

Another thing to consider is that if you were in the pool area and there was an emergency, say a fire, and could not exit back through the house - your exit through the fence is blocked by not having a gate.

Just something else to consider with regard to not having a gate in that fence. I suspect the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) will require a gate in that pool fence.

[jerry1]

Thank god the local authorities are not as critical as yourself. I have explained my plan to inspectors and we are hashing out what material will work. They have not mentioned that the zero gates would be a problem. I guess it is subjective as if i had a fire in my bedroom i could exit out the bedroom door and then out the house or if as you say i needed another exit i could exit out the slider (the emergency exit into my lanai/pool deck area). It will be fenced in yes but will still allow you to escape the area unimpeded as i dont imagine the code states how far you have to be able to get away just that you be able to the leave the structure with the danger. I have talked to a homeowner that got his pass with the plastic osha barrier fence with zero gates. Thats the inspector i want. LOL

I guess if i had a inpector as hypercritical as yourself the list could go on and on, i know you call it progress i call it liberal beuracracy.
I dont need to be protected from myself. I know several new homes that homeowners have built with a bedroom with zero windows and ownly a bedroom door, how did the plans get approved and the house built without the emergency exit. I imagine that s a grey area at least with a residential structure. Again i do appreciate your oppinions but i am finding that the final inspection depends as much on the individual inpector as it does on the codes. My example is the emergency exit you bring up was never mentioned by a inspector

Jerry

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

[jerry1]