What regulations govern the safety of your pool?

By 2022, private construction of private pools saw a significant increase, with 188,000 new swimming pools, 32,000 more than in 2019. If you too are one of these new pool owners, or would like to become one, don’t forget to take into account some of the following points safety measures.

And with good reason: although the number of drowning accidents is declining in relation to the number of new swimming pools, it is unfortunately still too high. To minimize these risks, a pool safety law was promulgated on January 3, 2003, imposing various safety devices safety devices.

All you need to know about the law on swimming pool safety

Where does the pool safety law come from?

Every year, 13% of all drownings are caused by swimming pool accidents, more than half of which occur in private family pools. Most of these accidents are due to a lack of supervision, especially where children under 6 are concerned.

Given that swimming pool drowning is the leading cause of death among young children, it’s important to take action and continue with prevention.

What does the law say?

In order to reinforce safety around swimming poolsthe law on
pool safety
pools was promulgated on January 3, 2003. Since January 2004, “
l

nclosed in-ground private swimming pools for individual or collective use must be equipped with a

a standardized safety device

to prevent the risk of drowning
“(Légifrance). In concrete terms, this means means that all swimming pool owners are now required to fit a safety device.

This standard has evolved over time to improve accident prevention. In 2004, an amending decree (decree no. 2004.499) was published, setting out the general requirements to be met by safety devices must meet. NF standards were established at the end of December 2003 for the four possible types of equipment, then updated in 2004 and more recently in 2009 for the detection alarm system.

Today, the owner of an in-ground in-ground pool or in-ground or semi-in-ground pool must be able to prove, in the event of an inspection, that their pool complies with safety applicable to private pools.

Since May 1, 2004For example, homes rented out on a seasonal basis with pools already in place must comply with this rule. Since the January 1st 2006All other existing swimming pools must be fitted with safety equipment that complies with current standards.

Penalties for non-compliance with the swimming pool safety law

Owners who fail to comply with current safety regulations are subject to penalties. Failure to comply with the rule exposes owners to an increased risk of drowning accidents.

In addition, they incur criminal penalties, including a fine of up to €45,000.

How to apply the pool safety law?

Application of the law

There are two scenarios to consider: securing pools built before January 1, 2004, and those built after.

For pools built before January 2004, the owner has several options:

– He can take responsibility for certifying that the safety device meets all safety safety requirements requirements of current legislation;

– He can choose to have his system inspected by an authorized person, such as the vendor, manufacturer, inspector or installer, to verify its compliance with the new standards;

– He can also opt for a more cautious approach by having a new, standardized security system installed.

For pools built after January 2004, the owner must install a safety system to current standards. In addition, manufacturers must be able to provide their customers with proof of the conformity of their products.

The different devices

If the owner is required to install a safety device for his pool, the law gives him the freedom to choose from 4 types of equipment. Here is a list of the equipment available:

– Pool alarm;

– The roller shutter or bar covers ;

– L’pool enclosure ;

– The protective barrier or fence.

Several different – and sometimes complementary – devices exist to secure your pool. In order to choosing the best safety device for your poolIf you’re looking for a pool system, you need to consider your budget, the use of your pool and the shape of your pool. This will help you make the right choice.

Models not concerned

As previously mentioned, this law only applies to in-ground pools or semi-underground pools. Types of pools that are not affected include :

– Above-ground pools;

– Public or private swimming pools for public use with paid access, supervised by a lifeguard (governed by the French Sports Code);

– Inflatable or demountable pools.

Despite the implementation of this law and the availability of various pool safety systems (alarms, covers, pool shelters, protective barriers), there is still a high accident rate. This is why we remind you that safety devices for swimming pools should never be used as a substitute for lifeguarding. Especially if your pool is not covered by theobligation de sécurité piscine and you don’t have a safety device. Increased vigilance is essential!