| INITIAL SITE REVIEW |
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| Swimming pool builders should look for and note the condition of the following when initially inspecting a project site: • Full-site documentation, including photographs and/or video; • Fencing review, including condition, legality, gaps in coverage, safety (be aware of the current rules for the jurisdiction); • Potential dangers (e.g. lakes, ponds, neighbouring hazards, slopes, run-off, and rock fall); • Review of zoning (e.g. setbacks and easements); • Overhead hazards (e.g. electrical lines, jumping points, tree limbs, and vegetation); • Underground hazards (e.g. electrical and/or gas lines, ground water, soil conditions, potential contaminants, and archeological concerns); • Gas, electrical, and sprinkler shut offs; • Construction access to the site; • Environmental concerns (e.g. lakes, streams, silt run-off, and wildlife and tree protection); • Material stockpile locations and logistical construction details; • Site specific requirements (e.g. proximity to a school, traffic conditions, fire hydrant, utilities, nearest hospital with an emergency room. In Ontario, the Ministry of Labour requires the nearest hospital location to be posted on the job site as not everybody thinks clearly or knows where the hospital is in an emergency); and • Existing landscapes, decks, and/or trees, which need to be protected, removed, or demolished. |
Safe surroundings
No project can be built without a detailed, well-thought-out design; therefore, safety should be the priority. For instance, the project’s outside perimeter is the first line of defence. In fact, most jurisdictions have minimum standards for swimming pool fences and/or enclosures.
Therefore, upon the site’s initial inspection, note the condition of existing fencing, gates (including self-closing, self-latching gates), and any additional security concerns, including steep slopes, other bodies of water (e.g. ponds, streams, and lakes), nearby balconies, elevated decks, and garages that could potentially be used as a jumping point into the pool.
The safe design of a project should be layered like an onion. The outer layer is the environment and site situation surrounding the project location, while the second layer is the actual border of the site. The third layer is the environment inside the site border, while the fourth layer is the actual body of water. The fifth and final layer includes peripheral safety standards, such as training, supervision, and support.
Pool location
The location of a residential pool is generally dictated by its proximity to the home and prevailing site conditions such as grade and sun patterns. However, the safe location of a pool should be determined primarily by line of site and proximity to obstacles. Parents are concerned about keeping the pool visible from the home; therefore, where possible, raised spas and landscapes should not interfere with the line of site to the pool from the home or patio.
Decks and patios
Ideally, a safe pool deck should be designed to provide immediate, unrestricted access to all areas of the pool. This type of design is not always possible or esthetically pleasing; however, care should be taken to maximize all access points to the pool. Speed is paramount in an emergency. One should not have to step over diving boards, duck under slides, or other obstructions when traversing the pool perimeter.
Safe features of pool decks include, adequate drainage, non-slip surfaces, textures that are bare-foot friendly, and surfaces that do not react to extreme temperatures. A jet black pool deck in the Texas sun, for example, would not be considered a safe design practice.
Stamped-concrete decks can be extremely slippery when combined with sealers; therefore, care must be taken to prevent slip-and-fall accidents in wet environments. Decks should also be designed to slope properly based on the site conditions as puddles will encourage algae growth. Decks that slope into the pool, which are not always allowed depending on local building codes, can capture precious water resources; however, it also allows debris to easily drain into the pool.
Utilities
All electrical and gas requirements should be carried out under permit from a qualified and licensed professional. Pool and landscape lighting should be connected by a licensed electrician, while all electrical requirements concerning bonding and grounding must be strictly adhered to.
All devices should be approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), and/or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). All gas and electrical shutoffs or disconnects should also be well-marked and accessible. For instance, one option is to place a master electrical shutoff in a highly visible and marked location. This switch will turn off all power to the yard, but will not affect pool or landscape lighting. The location and operation of these shutoff devices should be part of the client orientation walkthrough.
Fencing and security
Perimeter fencing of the pool is a standard requirement in most jurisdictions. Strict adherence to these building codes is required to fulfil the obligations to the building permit. Some areas require a four-sided fence to surround the pool.
In terms of spas, a lockable cover may be sufficient, while other backyard security features include self-closing gates, along with elevated locks on outside access doors of the home.
Alarms for gates and pool interiors, along with video monitoring, can provide the homeowner with further peace of mind when they are away from the pool.
