 |
|
All Products | Photos | More Info | Distributor List | Contact Us Regulations, Standards & the LawSwimming pools are intended to provide many hours of enjoyment, fun and relaxation. Sadly, they can sometimes also be a place of tragedy. A recent study showed that 28% of accidents take place in a swimming pool and 17% of these accidents are fatal. Every year there are more than 640 deaths by drowning in France (the fourth highest cause of death overall and second for children under 15.) Children under 5 are three times as likely to drown in a private pool as any other age group and can drown in minutes. Nearly all of these drownings could have been prevented if fencing had been installed around the pools. The French Government voted in a law on 19th December 2002 which imposes an obligation on all swimming pool owners with in-ground outdoor pools to ensure the safety of young children. The CSC (Commission de Sécurité des Consommateurs) recommends fences and other barriers, with all other security systems (alarms etc) to be only supplementary to these. What follows is a short summary of the legal requirements and the standards laid down by the French Government as published by AFNOR (NF P90-306). From January 1st 2006 it will become obligatory for all in-ground outdoor pool owners to have an approved security system in place. THE PENALTY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THIS LAW IS A FINE OF €45,000 Useful websites: http://www.afnor.fr/collectivites/normesreglementation/piscines_proprietaires.html http://www.logement.equipement.gouv.fr/recherche.php3?recherche=piscines+prive No pool fencing system replaces the vigilance of parents or responsible adults who remain the essential factor in protecting young children. DEFINITIONS A barrier or fence must be designed to restrict the access of children aged 5 and under to a swimming pool. A barrier or fence can be combined with existing walls or buildings so long as this does not allow any access to the pool by its height or its own opening . A hedge is NOT considered a suitable barrier. Any doors or windows that could provide access must be closed with a childproof device. A means of access to the pool must be provided that is childproof. If a gate is provided as a means of access, it must open away from the pool, be self-closing, lockable and unable to be operated by a child of 5 or under. SPECIFICATIONS The minimum height between any two points that could be used to climb the barrier or gate must be 1.1 metres. No fixed support (e.g. wall or tree) or mobile support (tricycle or slide) of any kind can be within 1.1 metres of the barrier or gate. Any means of access must be operated by two separate actions or the two must be 1 metre apart. Otherwise the operating mechanism must be at least 1.5 m from the ground. If the means of access is a gate, the operating system must require a minimum force of 20 Newtons to open it . The method of fixation to the ground must ensure that the barrier is unable to move more than 10mm from the fixing post. The gap between the ground and the lowest point of the fence must be less than 25mm or between 45mm and 102mm. The above is for your general information and should not be used as a definitive interpretation of the law. You need to ensure that any barrier that you purchase conforms to ALL aspects of the AFNOR Norme NF P90-306 For any more information please contact us at info@encloture.com |
|
|
|
|