Ottawa’s by-laws require any privately-owned pool to build and maintain an enclosure around the structure for safety. This by-law applies to any privately-owned outdoor pool of water capable of retaining a water depth equal to or greater than 600 mm (24 in) at any given point. This by-law also applies to hot tubs and any small ponds you may have created on your property.
There are a number of precautions you can take to ensure your pool remains safe for small children and pets – building a protective barrier around its perimeter is chief among them. Here are some important factors to consider when designing your pool fence:
Building Materials
When designing your pool fence, you have a wide variety of materials to choose from. There a many options on the market these days that provide a reliable, stable frame as well as a pleasing aesthetic. You can choose to have your fence built of materials like wood, aluminum, or steel, each of which with options to make the design more ornate, etc. to add greater curb appeal. You could even incorporate glass or PVC/vinyl for a more modern design – however, this will cut down on privacy so you may want to avoid this if your backyard layout positions your pool in plain sight of neighbours peering eyes.
Latches and Locks
There are more options for latches than one might think. There are even new self-closing and self-latching gate options available. This makes ensuring pool safety a breeze, as the fence gate will close behind anyone as they leave or enter the pool area – no need to constantly remind the kids to close the gate!
You will also want to ensure that your fence has a secure locking mechanism. Whether you prefer a key lock or a coded entry, your pool fence should be kept closed and locked whenever it is not in use.
Additional Safety Precautions
While installing a fence around the perimeter of your pool is a great step in accident prevention, here are a few additional precautions to consider to ensure a safe pool area:
- Put up signage that discourages entry to your pool
- Use pool cover when not in use
- Do not leave children unsupervised around the pool area
- Make sure children understand the basics of pool safety (ie. No running, no fooling around too close to the edge, no rough play in the pool, etc.)
- Ensure any children around the pool have at least a basic swimming ability
- Avoid building pools with structures that jut out and may snag feet or cause people to trip and fall into the pool
- Have life savers or other inflatable devices available in the pool area at all times
Are you looking for professional pool fence design and installation in Ottawa? Contact Fence One for a quote today.