Hello XXXXXXXXXX, and thank you for your question.

The Florida Building Code requires residential pools to comply with Section 424: Swimming Pools and Bathing Places (Public and Private).

This section requires residential swimming pools to have a wet deck surrounding them. The wet deck must be constructed of concrete or other continuous, nonabsorbent material (no wood, decking materials with gaps between members, or porous materials allowed), and all materials must be approved for use as a pool deck surface.
Wet decks must have a continuous unobstructed width of 4 feet minimum, with a uniform and continuous slope at a minimum of 2 percent and a maximum of 4 percent, sloping away from the pool or toward drains.

Your 2" difference between coping and pavers does not meet the above requirement for a continuous surface with a uniform slope, and may therefore be determined to be in violation of the code.
To comply with this code section your coping would need to join deck surface flush, with no change in elevation.



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Edited by MJ on 9/13/2009 at 9:43 PM

XXXXXXXXXX, thank you for your reply,

The applicable codes that apply to swimming pool construction are Chapter 41 of the Florida Residential Code and Section 424 of the Florida Building Code, which I mentioned above.

Here is the text from the applicable sections of 424:

424.1.3 Pool appurtenances.
424.1.3.1 Decks and walkways.
424.1.3.1.1 Pool wet decks shall be constructed of
concrete or other nonabsorbent material having a
smooth slip-resistant finish. Wet deck area finishes
shall be designed for such use and shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer ’s specifications.
Wooden decks and walkways are prohibited.
424.1.3.1.2 Pool wet decks shall be uniformly sloped
at a minimum of 2 percent to a maximum of 4 percent
away from the pool or to deck drains to prevent stand-
ing water. When a curb is provided, the deck shall not
be more than 10 inches (254 mm) below the top of the
curb.
424.1.3.1.3 Pool wet decks shall have a minimum
unobstructed width of 4 feet (1219 mm) around the
perimeter of the pool, pool curb, ladders, handrails,
diving boards, diving towers and slides.

Because there is a provision for a "curb" with allowed distance of up to 10" above the deck surface, your pool installer may argue that the coping is a curb that falls under this rule - but this is not the way that code officials typically interpret this. A 2" difference is generally identified as a tripping hazard, as you've been told.
You may wish to speak with your local code official directly, for his take on this (you can call the code official to ask about a hypothetical project, without identifying yourself or your property, if you prefer.)

You should be able to look at these codes at you local code official's office.

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