Pool Fences Are Getting Smarter, But Has U.S. Law?

Pool fences are getting much smarter these days. As a result, artificial intelligence is bound to play a larger role in securing the pool perimeter in years to come. It’s only fitting that as our homes have gotten smarter, that our swimming pools should as well.

These days, you’re likely to find a slew of smart technologies both inside the home as well as in the backyard. Modern homes are equipped with everything from biometric door locks, to refrigerators that update your grocery list when you’re running low on milk. However, when looking at ways to better protect your family, adding a smarter pool fence just makes sense.

No Standardized U.S. Pool Fence Laws

Presently, swimming pool fences are mandatory in many parts of the country. While there are no federal laws in place, individual states have taken to institute their own laws pertaining to pool fencing. States like Arizona, Florida, California, and Texas all have stringent requirements in place for residential swimming pools. There are rigid guidelines in place for how high a pool fence must be, as well as inherent safety measures they must meet to be in accordance with state laws.

Practical state safety standards for Pool Fences are not yet mandated by U.S. law for residential swimming pools:

• Residential pools should be equipped with an approved safety pool cover.
• Doors and windows providing direct access to the pool should be equipped with a high-pitched alarm.
• Doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor.
• Pools should be equipped with a swimming pool alarm sounding upon detection of unauthorized entrance into the water. Such pool alarm must meet and be independently certified to ASTM Standard F2208, titled “Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms,” which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared alarms.

Concerning Statistics

Pool safety is arguably one of the most important topics of discussion in the industry. With over 236,000 annual accidental drownings reported, it is a critical issue. It also happens to be the number one cause of death amongst children aged 1-4 (according to a New England Journal of Medicine study).

Recent reports indicate that incidents actually tripled in some states during 2020. The average number of cases has increased roughly 15% during the pandemic. It’s an alarming statistic that experts are concerned is trending in the wrong direction.

Despite a concerted effort to better educate consumers, and more states putting laws in place to mandate fences for residential pools, the numbers are going up. This could very well coincide with an increasing number of homeowners installing inground and above-ground pools.

Smart Pool Monitors Act as a Second Set of Eyes on the Pool Area

When purchasing a pool, homeowners are increasingly looking to incorporate technology that will provide them with security and peace of mind. Putting up a pool fence and adding a safety cover are obvious methods to mitigate potential accidents. In addition, adding smart monitoring devices that utilize technology like artificial intelligence, is a great 2nd line of defense that acts a virtual water-watcher for the swimming pool.

Sai Reddy of CamerEye, a San Diego-based firm that makes one of the most popular pool monitor devices on the market said, “What we’re talking about is adding an additional layer of safety. Now we’re able to provide immediate detection when there is unauthorized entry around the pool perimeter. We’re also able to detect early distress behavior using A. I. technology.”

How Pool Monitoring Devices Save Lives

Incorporating this type of technology is not yet the standard in the pool industry. However given the rising number of fatalities, many are wondering if it should be. This type of technology provides homeowners with the ability to draw an invisible boundary line around the pool area. Pool monitors provide an instant alert when there is distress in the pool, even coupling the ability to call 9-11 in case of an emergency.

Waiting For Much Needed Pool Fencing Regulation

Consumers are still largely on their own when it comes to researching local laws and regulations pertaining to fencing. While laws for public pools across the nation largely mandate fencing, we’re still waiting for U.S. laws to regulate laws for residential pools. Is it the law of the land to have a physical barrier around every residential pool in the country? No, it isn’t. Should it be? Absolutely.

While adding a pool fence is a great first line of defense, in light of the new information we’re seeing from credible reporting bodies, clearly, there is a need for pool monitors to pick up the slack where both pool fences and U.S. laws leave off.