Swimming Pool Regulations

New York State Department of State

Swimming Pool Rules and Regulations

found in the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code

(The "Uniform Code")

“PLEASE NOTE that this webpage is not intended to be the document required by Executive Law section 376(6). This webpage includes a brief summary of some, but not all, of the Uniform Code’s requirements relating to swimming pools. For a more complete summary of these requirements, as well as a summary of the Uniform Code’s other pool-related requirements, please click here www.dos.state.ny.us/code/currpoolreg.htm for the document entitled CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR SWIMMING POOLS CONTAINED IN THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING CODE (THE “UNIFORM CODE”) (June 2008). Click here for a PDF version of the CURRENT REQUIREMENTS document.

“Please note also that local laws regarding fencing and other safety requirements for swimming pools may be more restrictive than requirements for swimming pools contained in the Uniform Code. If you are considering the purchase of a swimming pool, you should review the Uniform Code requirements summarized in the CURRENT REQUIREMENTS document and, in addition, you should consult the local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations of the municipality where the pool is to be installed for any further requirements.”

Please contact your local municipality for additional Code and Zoning Requirements. Local laws regarding fencing and other safety requirements for swimming pools may be more restrictive than requirements for swimming pools contained in the Uniform Code.

The term “Swimming Pool” means any structure, basin, chamber or tank which is intended for swimming, diving, recreational bathing or wading and which contains, is designed to contain, or is capable of containing water more than 24 inches (610 mm) deep at any point. This includes in-ground, above-ground and on-ground pools; indoor pools; hot tubs; spas; and fixed-in-place wading pools

About Pool Alarm Requirements	About Pool Barriers (Fencing) Requirements
Temporary Pool Enclosures	Pool Entrapment Requirements
Other Pool Safety Requirements	Helpful Pool Safety Links

A Detailed Summary of Swimming Pool Safety Requirements can be found in the DOS document titled Current Requirements for Swimming Pools contained in the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (The "Uniform Code") (htm) (click here for PDF version)

Pool Education Video

Please contact your local municipality for additional Code and Zoning Requirements. Local laws regarding fencing and other safety requirements for swimming pools may be more restrictive than requirements for swimming pools contained in the Uniform Code.

Please note that this HTML document is an abridged of the summary of the requirements required by law. The complete summary is available here.

www.dos.state.ny.us/code/currpoolreg.htm

Pool Alarm

Pool Alarms

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Brief Summary of Alarm Requirements for Residential Swimming Pools:

Every swimming pool that is installed, constructed or substantially modified after December 14, 2006 must be equipped with an approved pool alarm which:

is capable of detecting a child entering the water and giving an audible alarm when it detects a child entering the water;

is audible poolside and at another location on the premises where the swimming pool is located;

is not an alarm device which is located on person(s) or which is dependent on device(s) located on person(s) for its proper operation.

A pool alarm must be capable of detecting entry into the water at any point on the surface of the swimming pool. If necessary to provide detection capability at every point on the surface of the swimming pool, more than one pool alarm must be installed.

Pool alarms are not required in:

a hot tub or spa equipped with a safety cover or

any swimming pool (other than a hot tub or spa) equipped with an automatic power safety cover

Specific Swimming Pool Alarm Requirements can be found in 19NYCRR Part 1228 or in the DOS document titled "Current Requirements for Swimming Pools contained in the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (The "Uniform Code")"

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Please contact your local municipality for additional Code and Zoning Requirements. Local laws regarding fencing and other safety requirements for swimming pools may be more restrictive than requirements for swimming pools contained in the Uniform Code.

Please note that this HTML document is an abridged version of the summary of the requirements required by law. The complete summary is available here.

www.dos.state.ny.us/code/currpoolreg.htm

Pool Fence

Pool Barriers (Fences)

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Brief summary of Barrier Requirements for Outdoor Residential Swimming Pools:

The barrier must completely surround the swimming pool and must obstruct access to the swimming pool.

The barrier must be at least 4 feet (48 inches) high.

In the case of an above-ground pool, the barrier may be at ground level or mounted on top of the pool structure; however, if the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, the space between the top of the pool structure and the bottom of the barrier cannot exceed 4 inches.

A building wall can form part of the required barrier. However, where a wall of a dwelling serves as part of the barrier, at least one of the following requirements must be satisfied:

the pool must be equipped with a powered safety cover

all doors with direct access to the pool through that wall must be equipped with an alarm

other means of protection, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, which are approved by the governing body

In the case of an above-ground pool, the pool structure itself can serve as a part of the required barrier, provided that the pool structure is sufficiently rigid to obstruct access to the pool. However, where an above-ground pool structure is used as a barrier or where the barrier is mounted on top of the pool structure, and the means of access is a ladder or steps, then:

the ladder or steps shall be capable of being secured, locked or removed to prevent access, or the ladder or steps shall be surrounded by a barrier

when the ladder or steps are secured, locked or removed, any opening created shall not allow the passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere.

Barriers shall be located so as to prohibit permanent structures, equipment or similar objects from being used to climb the barriers.

Specific Barrier requirements can be found in the DOS document titled "Current Requirements for Swimming Pools contained in the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (The "Uniform Code")"

Barrier requirements for One-and Two-Family Dwelling Swimming Pools can be found in Appendix G, Residential Code of New York State

Barrier requirements for Residential Swimming Pools can be found in Chapter 31, Section 3109, Building Code of New York State

Barriers requirements for Public Swimming Pools can be found in Chapter 31, Section 3109, Building Code of New York State

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Temporary Pool Enclosures

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Brief summary of Barrier Requirements for Temporary Pool Enclosers:

During the installation or construction of a swimming pool, the swimming pool must be enclosed by a temporary enclosure. The temporary enclosure may consist of a temporary fence, a permanent fence, the wall of a permanent structure, any other structure, or any combination of the foregoing. However:

• all portions of the temporary enclosure must be at least four (4) feet high, and

• all components of the temporary enclosure must be sufficient to prevent access to the swimming pool by any person not engaged in the installation or construction process and to provide for the safety of all such persons.

Entrapment Protection Requirements

Brief summary of Barrier Requirements for Temporary Pool Enclosers:

• Suction outlets must be designed to produce circulation throughout the pool or spa.

• Single outlet systems, such as automatic vacuum cleaner systems, or other such multiple suction outlets whether isolated by valves or otherwise must be protected against user entrapment.

• All pool and spa suction outlets (except surface skimmers) must be provided with:

• a cover that conforms with reference standard ASME/ANSI A112.19.8M, entitled Suction Fittings for Use in Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Whirlpool Bathtub Appliances, or

• a drain gate that is 12" × 12" or larger, or

• a channel drain system approved by the local code enforcement official.

• All pool and spa single or multiple outlet circulation systems must be equipped with atmospheric vacuum relief should grate covers located therein become missing or broken.

• Single or multiple pump circulation systems must be provided with a minimum of two (2) suction outlets of the approved type.

• If the pool or spa is equipped with vacuum or pressure cleaner fitting(s), each fitting must be located:

• in an accessible position which is at least (6) inches and not greater than twelve (12) inches below the minimum operational water level, or

• as an attachment to the skimmer(s).

Additional Pool Requirements

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Additional pool requirements such as anti-entrapment devices (suction fittings), safety glazing, backflow prevention, pool heaters and other requirements may be found in the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State or by contacting your local municipality or the Department of State Codes Division at (518)-474-4073.

Please contact your local municipality for additional Code and Zoning Requirements. Local laws regarding fencing and other safety requirements for swimming pools may be more restrictive than requirements for swimming pools contained in the Uniform Code.

New York State Department of Health

Additional Pool requirements can be found at the NYS Department of Health Website at http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/phforum/nycrr10.htm (click on Table of Contents then NEXT till SUBPART 6-1 SWIMMING POOLS.) Subpart 6-1 does not apply to swimming pools, or other bathing facility, owned and/or maintained by an individual for the use of family and friends.