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+--- Thread: Swimming pool problems (/showthread.php?tid=10740)
Swimming pool problems - Phil - 09-12-2013
Howdy neighbors, this is my first post so please be gentle with me!
I am trying to figure out the building code for a swimming pool in Hawaii (Puna), especially the safety part of it. I'm sorry I don't have a link but I hoped someone out there had experience with this.
As far as I can understand it, I have to have a fence all around the pool. Alternatively, I can have a fence on three sides and use the house as the 4th side, but then I need to have alarms on all the doors.
Alternatively again, I can just get a mechanical pool cover and I won't need any fences or alarms!
Can someone tell me how mistaken I am? Has the code changed recently? I have contacted the Planning people but their responses are ambiguous and I'm getting them from a third party.
Thank you!
RE: Swimming pool problems - Seeb - 09-12-2013
I don't think the mechanical cover part is true, but the rest is close. 4ft fence with self closing self locking gates
RE: Swimming pool problems - David M - 09-12-2013
Don't know about the mechanical cover, but the fencing is covered in the code. Building and electrical permits, inspections via building dept. I remember that at final inspection, he even measured the height of the self locking mechanism.
ETA: alarms weren't required, but that may have since changed.
David
Ninole Resident
Please visit vacation.ninolehawaii.com
RE: Swimming pool problems - Peter Epperson - 09-13-2013
It's all spelled out in IBC 3109.4 You can find it online. The mechanical cover is approved instead of fencing. It's an expensive way to go but has certain advantages.
RE: Swimming pool problems - Phil - 09-13-2013
Hi, thanks for the responses. Like Seeb and David, I too was surprised to read that a mechanical pool cover is all you need.
Thanks for the confirmation, Peter.
I can find IBC 3109.4 online at:
http://www.swimmpoolandpatio.com/pdfs/ct_IBC_section_3109_w_amend.pdf
I just can't find confirmation that it applies to Hawaii (though I'm sure it does).
Peter, I agree, it is expensive but it has a LOT of advantages (IMHO):
- no need for the expense (and ugliness) of fences
- no need for annoying door alarms (if you wanted to use the house as a 4th fence wall)
- pool is kept warmer during the winter
- less debris in the pool
- less sun damage to the pool
Once you subtract the cost of a fence and the long-term damage and cleaning, I wonder if a mechanical pool cover doesn't
actually save money! It seems almost a no-brainer to me, which is why I was wondering if this was a recent change or that I had misunderstood the code.
aloha
Phil
PS I know the above sounds like I'm spamming for pool covers but I assure you I'm not! I would like to hear of anyone's experiences (positive or negative) with these pool covers. Note that they do have to be mechanical.