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Question

I live in Faquier County,Virginia and would like to know what the code for pool fencing is. The county building dept. codes are very specific about the fence but I have heard that there was some exception for dwellings that are on 10 acres or more. Is that true any more? This is an outdoor, inground pool.

Submitted: 569 days and 3 hours ago.
Category: Home Improvement
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Posted by Brian 568 days and 19 hours ago.

Answer

Hello XXXX XXXXXXXXX,

Welcome to Just Answer. If interested, Click here to view my credentials.

There are no exceptions any more due to the frequency of accidental drownings. Pool fences are required to be at least 4 feet tall, gaps between vertical pieces of the fence have to be less than 4 inches; sometimes less than 1 3/4", depending how the fence is built. Any horizontal members of the fence have to face inwards, towards the pool. The gate for the fence must swing outwards and there are a few requirements for the gate hardware, which I could look up if you need them. The fence needs to be sturdy and installed so that it cannot fall over or weaken easily. The fence needs to surround the pool and there are no requirements as to how far away from the pool it needs to be, except for a walking area surrounding the pool. If the house becomes any part of the pool barrier, then any door needs to be alarmed or the pool needs to be alarmed or have an automatic pool safety cover.

 

 

 

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Best of Luck, Brian

 

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568 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Brian's Post: When did the exceptions become no longer applicable and can someone be "grandfathered" or must the existing fence be brought up to code.

Accepted Answer

There may be exceptions that apply to your town, and that would be hard for me to find out. You could contact your local building/ zoning department to find out. I have actually never heard of any exceptions, so it is either limited to your town or before my time. The grandfathering would have to be answered by your local building official, since it could be a local exception. Most homeowners insurance companies will require that a new fence be built to code or the existing one brought up to code. It is in your best interest to have a fence that is up to code, since it will help prevent an accidental drowning and if there was ever an accidental drowning, you would need to have proof that your pool barrier was up to code, to protect yourself.

 

If you need further help or clarification on this answer, please reply to this post.

Best of Luck, Brian

 

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Expert: Brian
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Answered: 5/4/2008

Architect

Licensed Architect- 12 years, L.E.E.D. AP, Former Remodeling Contractor- 10 years

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