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Safety measures for swimming pools in France.

Technical notes.

Risks of drowning:

1. Barriers of protection:

The principal characteristics of barriers:

• Description: equipment designed to be installed around a pool to limit the access of children under the age of 5 yrs old to this pool. It should be a physical obstacle between the child and the pool, on condition that the means of access be systematically shut. The barrier of protection can be connected to one or several walls of a building, house or fencing limiting the zone in which the pool is situated; in the case where there are walls allow no access to the pool from above or by their own openings.
• It can be constructed from divers materials: wood, metal, plastic, glass, textile, plastic trellis or wire.
• It must be constructed in such a way to stop children of less than 5 yrs old climbing over it, stepping over it, or entering through the gate or means of access on their own.
• It must not be able to hurt the child trying to get over or through it (e.g. barbed wire)
• Minimal height: The minimal height between two posts, or between the highest part and the lowest part of the barrier or the gate must be equal to or more than 1meter 10 centimeters.
• Means of access: The opening can be pivoting, or sliding vertically or laterally, or turning, or on a roller. When it is pivoting the opening must be towards the exterior of the pool area.
• The means of access must be able to be locked by hand or automatically. For community pools the access must be able to be shut and locked automatically.
• Unlocking of the means of access: To prevent unlocking by children less than 5 yrs old or any unintentional unlocking, the locking system must be foolproof for children less than 5 yrs old.

Conditions of use of a barrier:

• Install the barrier of protection at least 1 meter away from the pool and not too far away.( It is the pool that has to be equipped with a protection device)
• Nothing must inhibit the shutting of the gate, and no objects which could aid climbing over must be left near the barrier.
• Do not forget to shut the gate systematically.

Function and maintenance of the barrier.

2. Swimming pool alarms:

Principal characteristics of alarms:

• At the moment this concerns only alarm systems that have a perimeter or immersion detection.
• Description: An alarm system placed around or on family pools, or community pools, that can detect any intrusion, fall or immersion, especially by children less than 5 yrs old in the protected area.
• The alarm protects the pool and surroundings by detecting the intrusion of a child of more than 9 months in this protected zone.
• All alarm systems must be able to work 24 hours around the clock whatever the atmospheric conditions, within the limits specific to the corresponding articles on each type of product of this present document, apart from when the system is neutralised on purpose.
• In case there is a breakdown for some reason in the system there should be an automatic reactivating system.
• The sound signal must be able to be heard from the house or wherever people are normally living.

• need two separate but simultaneous actions working according to different principles.
• or have a digital code.

Advice on installation and use.

Functioning and maintenance of the alarm.

3. SECURITY COVERS

Principal characteristics of security covers:

1. Description: Security covers and their means of attachment to stop involuntary immersion of children under the age of 5 yrs old. There are different types of covers: automatic rolling covers, barred covers, covers or nets stretched over the edges of the pool, mobile equipment and all products which appear on the market and crrespond to the technical references and the tests of the said norm.
2. Covers used only for the protection of the water, bubble covers, floating covers, are not allowed.
3. Security covers made to cover the pool in such a way as to make it impossible for a child less than 5 yrs old to be immersed when the pool cover is on.
4. The means of manoeuvering the covers must be fixed or locked with a tool or a code.
5. The norm expects that tests be made to verify that it is not possible to pass under the cover or to trap the body of a child less than 5 yrs old.
6. Also, a test must be made to verify that a man of 100kg can walk on it.

Conditions of the use of the cover.

• Apart from mobile equipment, it is forbidden to walk or jump on a security cover.
• Be present during the manoeuvre of the cover and make sure there are no bathers or objects in the pool before and during the operation.
• Keep out of reach of children the tools necessary to manoeuvre the cover.
• Te operation of opening and closing must be done by a responsible adult.

Function and maintenance of the cover

• WARNING: a cover must be correctly installed and locked according to the instructions of the makers to insure complete security.
• NEVER force the opening or the closing of the cover.
• Verify that the rolling cover is correctly closed, since it is only secure when fully closed over and locked.
• Verify that the points of anchorage are well attached.
• Verify regularly the state of the slats in the case of folling covers.
• Take all necessary precautions to stop the access to the pool by young children if the cover os malfunctioning and not able to close properly to ensure complete safety.

4. SWIMMING POOL SHELTERS.

Principle characteristics of pool shelters:

1. Description: All structures covering a pool and placed on its beaches, borders or low walls of which the elements can be fixed or removeable and permitting or not bathing.
2. Once the shelter is completely closed, the pool must be inaccessable to children undre the age of 5 yrs old on all its perimeters including the parts adjoining a wall if that is the case.
3. The shelter must be constructed in such a way as to prevent the climbing in or over or through the means of access by children under the age of 5 yrs old.
4. For complete safety when open the shelter must have a barrier for children under 5 yrsold and be for all users whether adults or children.
5. The locking system of the access to the pool. The gates of access must be equipped with a locking system.
6. All the doors of access of the structure must be worked by a central locking system i.e. same key, same code..
7. The windows must be openable only from the inside and prevent access from the exterior.

Conditions of use of shelters.

• If your shelter is open it is no longer protected.
• NEVER leave the shelter open without actively keeping watch over the children.
• The children must be forbidden from climbing on the shelter.
• Have the shelter installed by a professional. It is affective only when well anchored in the ground.
• After locking the shelter, take the key out and place it where it is inaccessable to children.

Function and maintenance of the shelter.

• WARNING: For complete safety the shelter must be correctly installed, shut and locked according to the instructions of the makers.
• Never force the manoeuvres of the shelter.
• Verify regularly that the shelter is in good condition, and clean. And have it regularly checked once every two years by a professional.
• Take all necessary precautions to prohibit access to the pool if the locking system of the shelter is faulty and have it repaired as soon as possible.
• WARNING: No system of protection can replace your active surveillance.

1. You must be constantly present to keep watch over the children.
2. Elect one person to be responsible for security.
3. Keep extra watch when there are several children in the pool.
4. Teach your children to swim as soon as possible.
5. Wet the back of the neck, arms and legs before entering the water.
6. Learn some first-aid actions especially those that apply to children.
7. Prohibit jumping and diving near little children.
8. Prohibit running and active games around the pool.
9. Children who can't swim should wear arm bands or rubber rings.
10. Don't leave games in and around the pool when it is not being guarded.
11. Keep the water clean and clear.
12. Keep the pool chemical products out of reach of children.

• There is a telephone nearby so that you don't have to leave the pool to answer a call.
• There are life belts and rods near the pool.

1. Get the child out of the water as soon as possible.
2. Call immediately emergency help and follow their instructions.
3. Take off wet garments and keep the child warm.