The new law applies to the construction of new pools/spas and the remodeling of existing pools/spas

For existing pools built or remodeled prior to 2018 - one safety feature is required - (no change to previous law)

<< If a home inspection is performed on a home with an existing pool or spa, the Home Inspector must examine the pool and spa and record in their report which safety features, if any, are present when a home is sold.>>

Senate Bill 442 New Requirements:

For pools built or remodeled in 2018 (or later) - a combination of 2 safety features from the following list will be required (see 

<< If a home inspection is performed on a home with a newly built or remodeled pool or spa, the Home inspector must examine the pool and spa and record in their report which two safety features are present when a home is sold. >>

1. An enclosure that isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home.

2. Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) SF2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.

3. An approved safety pool cover - (meets all the performance standards of ASTM - F1346-91)

4. Exit alarms on the private single-family home’s doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning, such as a repeating notification that “the door to the pool is open.”

5. A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the private single-family home’s doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.

6. An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F2208 “Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms,” which includes surface motion, pressure, sonar, laser, and infrared type alarms. A swimming protection alarm feature designed for individual use, including an alarm attached to a child that sounds when the child exceeds a certain distance or becomes submerged in water, is not a qualifying drowning prevention safety feature.

7. Other means of protection, if the degree of protection afforded is equal to or greater than that afforded by any of the features set forth above and has been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those features established by the ASTM or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

As always, please let me know if you have any questions. 

Best regards,
William