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Pool security: legislation and safety tips for Pool Owners in France
The AFNOR commission met to finalise the pool safety standards on 14th October 2003. They have set standards that are now definitive and these will be published no later than the government's self-imposed deadline of 16th December 2003. All future pool enclosures must adhere to these standards. From 2004 onwards, insurance companies will expect that pool security systems comply with the AFNOR standards.
A recent CSIP study showed that 28% of accidents take place in a swimming pool and 17% of these accidents are fatal. People most likely to drown in swimming pools are children under 5: they usually fall in quietly and sink to the bottom, they don't shout for help and even if they know how to make swimming movements, they can't stay afloat because their muscles aren't strong enough. It takes a young child as little as 3 minutes to drown and die. When a child is life-saved, it can suffer from irreversible brain damage due to the lack of oxygen. The law has been passed in order to help prevent these sorts of accidents from happening in private outdoor pools.
FAQs
Q: I own a rented property with a pool in France. When do I need to comply with the new law?
A: From 2004 onwards insurance companies will expect that pool security systems meet the AFNOR standards.
Q: Pools at rental properties must be protected by January 2004 (or before their first rental)
And what about other properties that are not rented out?
A: All new pools must comply with the new law when they are built.
Existing pools in private homes must be protected by January 2006
Q: What is the penalty for breaking the law?
A: The penalty for breaking this law is a € 45,000 fine.
Q: I have a 2 metre high existing stone wall along one side of my pool, can I use this as part of the protection barrier?
A: The protection barrier may be combined with a non-climbable wall or building providing that the wall does not allow an access to the swimming pool by their height or their own openings. However it is not recommended that you include any areas not intended for pool use within the enclosure. Also whilst buildings and walls may be allowed, hedges are not considered a protection barrier.
Q: How do I ensure that my property and pool will comply?
A: Our pool safety agents located throughout France are able to give you the advice you need and recommend the most appropriate equipment that will meet the approved standards.
Protectachild safety fencing has been tested and conforms to all of the requirements of the AFNOR standard.
Q: What are the new Standards for preventing children gaining access to your pool?
A:
•The enclosure must be a minimum of 1.1m high from the ground
•The enclosure must be fixed to the floor
•The enclosure is recommended to be at least 1m from the side of the water to a recommended maximum of 3m in distance
•The opening of the security gate must be made by a simultaneous double-opening action: one hand on the handle and one hand on the locking device or pin. For rental owners... gates must automatically return to the closed position
Q: Do I get anything to say I comply with the new law?
A: Yes – Our installers give customers a notice that they have had safety equipment installed and this can then be shown to insurance companies and the local Mairie's office as proof of compliance with the new law.
Q: What age of child is this fence designed to keep out of the pool area?
A: This fence is designed for toddlers age 1 to 5.
Q: What is the best location for this fence to be installed?
A: Depending on your pool area, it is recommended as anywhere from 1 metre to 3 metres away from the inside edge of the pool.
Q: Can this fence be installed in the lawn?
A: This fence can be installed in your lawn. A long dirtspike is used in place of the deck sleeves used in deck installations. The dirtspike is driven into the lawn and the top of the dirtspike acts as the receptor sleeve for the pole. This dirtspike is an optional item that can be purchased with your order.
Q: How safe is this fence?
A: Protectachild pool fence systems are the highest rated safety fence on the market today in the US and have sold and installed more than any other safety fence worldwide.
Protectachild uses composite fibre poles which will not bend or break and come with a lifetime guarantee
The protectachild fencing have patented safety catches and locks on all fences and self closing gates with dual action locks which ensure complete safety.
There are inferior products on the market which do not match the high safety standards that Protectachild has set. Please see more details of the patented safety features and the lifetime warrnaty on our website at www.saferpools.co.uk
The security fences/barriers supplied by PROTECTACHILD have been vigorously tested and are manufactured to comply with the AFNOR standards
Q: How strong is the fence?
A: An 90 kg. adult could lean against the fence, but the fence is designed for children not adults.
Q: What are the poles made of and do they rust?
A: The poles are made of composite fibre and have a lifetime warranty. These do not corrode or rust like metal poles.
Q: How do you clean the fence?
A: We recommend hosing the fence down as often as you wish with a good spray nozzle. A mild detergent can be used to remove spots.
Q: Is it easy to remove?
A: Removal is very easy for any normal sized adult. Removal requires average height, strength and leverage that children don't possess.
Q: What is the life expectancy of the fence? Does it come with a Warranty?
A: The fence comes with a lifetime warranty to the original owner.
Q: How do I place an order and when is it delivered and installed?
A: PROTECTACHILD agents will provide a quote following a consultation or visit to your property
Your requirements for the placement of the enclosure and gates will be agreed on consultation.
On placing an order you must confirm your placement requirements for the enclosure and gates.
Orders will be validated by an initial deposit payment made by cheque or bank transfer for 50% of the quote.
Only on receipt of deposit will the order be placed for delivery.
The balance will be required on delivery of the enclosure.
Delivery is based on a leadtime of 3 to 6 weeks, and is subject to availability of installation slots.
Q: How is the fence installed?
A: The fences/barriers will be professionally installed taking into account all aspects of safety and also the aesthetics of your poolside.
The placement of the fencing and gates will be made to your personal requirements whilst respecting the conditions of the AFNOR standards
Look to a professional to handle the task of protecting your property and loved ones.
Q: When do I need to act?
A: The law has been voted and the standards have been finalised but they haven't been made public. According to Joelle Pulinx of the CSIP, at the end of 2003 a full standardization booklet will be available.
In the meantime CSIP recommend that people who will be renting their property in 2004 speak to a pool safety professional without delay to ensure they have the process underway prior to January 2004 when the new law will be enforced. Also, planning permission for new pools will only be granted if the pool has been designed with a security system in mind.
Our pool safety agents located throughout France are able to give you the advice you need and recommend the most appropriate equipment that will meet the approved standards.
Helpful Hints for Safety
The best way of reducing the risk of drowning is to invest in a certified protection system and adopt supplementary safety precautions
•The installation of a certified security system ensures that everyone is safe in and around the water. Gates with dual-action opening systems are essential
•Never leave items around the swimming area that can be used to climb over the enclosure
•Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult at all times when in or around the pool
•Training of young children to swim and equipping them with certified floating devices
This article courtesy of http://alltopspas.com.
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