Swimming Pool Fence Laws and Requirements in Texas
Swimming pool fence requirements in Texas fall largely under the jurisdiction of local municipalities. Texas pool fence law does state that any pool fence laws in effect for publicly owned pools must apply for private swimming pool fences as well. Guidelines published by the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission serve as the basis for all Texas pool fence laws.
In Ground Pools
Fences surrounding in ground swimming pools must be at least 48 inches tall. Depending on the type of fencing used, the openings must be no larger than four inches in any directions. This includes any gaps below the fencing, according to Houston’s swimming pool barrier code. The vertical portions of the fences must be on the outside of the fence enclosure. Horizontal pieces must be on the inside of the swimming pool fence enclosure so children cannot step on them as a means of gaining access to the pool. The weight of a chain link fence and opening size for chain link fences is often set as well. For example, in Arlington, the chain link must be 11-gauge wire, and must not have larger openings than 1 3/4 inches.Above Ground Pools
The walls of an above ground pools provide a natural barrier that makes them harder to get into. Because children can find ways to get past sheer walls of above ground pools, they need to have fences installed around them as well if the walls are less than 48 inches tall. The same restrictions for width between vertical fence pieces apply. Stairs that allow access into the pool must be removable, or have a fence built around them with a locking gate.Gates and Doors
Texas pool fence laws require that gates be at least 48 inches tall, along with the same minimum spacing requirements for fencing materials. Gates must be self-closing as well as self-latching. The latch must be on the upper quarter of the gate. It should be on the inside of the pool enclosure so that small children cannot reach over the gate and unlatch it. If the wall of a house serves as part of the pool’s fence, all doors allowing access to the swimming pool must have an alarm on them that sounds when the door opens. This alarm should sound at least 30 seconds before resetting itself. It may have a bypass that allows adults to enter and leave the home without setting it off, but the bypass must be high enough on the wall that children cannot reach it.Read more: Fence Pool Requirements in Texas | eHow.com