57-63 POOL SAFETY:SPN Master pages 18/5/09 20:06 Page 2
spnfeature
A Gloucestershire pool with a Driglide cover moving
France has, since 2004, adopted tough
into position to offer maximum security and safety
safety measures. The changes to French
Law mean that all privately owned
swimming pools must now have a safety
device such as pool cover in place that
conforms to the French standards system
AFNOR (Association Française de
Normalisation).
The law is enforced by a fine of up to
�45,000 and inspectors are checking
swimming pools in all regions for the correct
installation of alarms, barriers and covers.
Specialist pool companies in the UK are
now finding a growing basic need for
safety pool covers.
Jacky Wiskin, Director of Essex based
Caribbean Pools Ltd, who have 30 years of
trade experience says that pool safety covers
are very much on the minds on pool owners.
“A pool safety cover provides
everything the owner needs when the
question of safety arises. It’s true we still
have to ‘sell’ the concept but once it is
clear what the cover has to offer then it’s
NEW SAFETY DESIGN STANDARDS
an obvious purchase.
Caribbean Pools import their safety
SET TO MAKE MAJOR IMPACT
covers from Salt Lake City in the United
States. The Save-T range has been what
New European Standards for Swimming thoroughly involved in the development Jacky calls an ‘automatic choice for pool
Pool Design which came into effect in of these standards over the last five owners for over ten years’. “An automatic
March have put the emphasis on all safety years and they have some very safety cover gives peace of mind at the
aspects of pool building and design. important implications.” simple turn of a key. In under a minute the
The new standard – EN 15288 The regulations affect all new and swimming pool is easily covered or
“Swimming pools” – consists of two parts: refurbished pools and include the need uncovered. It acts as a ‘horizontal fence’
safety requirements for design for pool covers to withstand a vertical preventing access by children, pets and
safety requirements for operation load of 1,000 N over an area of 0.5m x uninvited visitors. The pool can be
0.5m and should extend over the protected even when you are not around –
Both parts are being seen as having a complete water surface – otherwise a safety barrier that no pool, new or
major impact for the future design, access to the pool should be prevented. existing, should be without.”
management and operation of all Under the new standard chemical Safety covers are the biggest focus for
swimming pool facilities. stores must be separate or segregated pool safety.
One architect told Swimming Pool from plant rooms, located away from Pool designer Robert Webber says the
News: “Not since the introduction of the public areas. Access by ramp rather than pool safety measures of fencing and pool
Health and Safety Executive document, stairs is recommended. Natural alarms are secondary options in the UK.
‘Safety in Swimming Pools’ nearly 20 ventilation is preferred, if mechanical “If you go to look at swimming pools in
years ago has there been such a ventilation is used a malfunction alarm is France, Spain and the United States then
significant publication for those involved required. Chlorine gas must be stored in you will see a lot of fencing around pools.
in swimming pools. The UK has been a gas tight room. In many countries it remains compulsory.
In the UK we have had some experience
of fencing around pools but it seems that
a high quality pool safety cover which can
The popular and unique features of the Walu be moved in and out of position in a
cover from Certikin makes it an industry favourite
matter of minutes satisfies most of the
needs. My own view is that a law which
makes a quality and automatic pool cover
law would be a huge step forward. I can
see it happening.”
He said the anti-entrapment laws in the
United States could well have implications
for safety in the UK.
“I don’t see how the authorities can
ignore the very real concern about
entrapment. It took two terrible and
traumatic accidents in the United States –
then the law suddenly became a priority. It
would be folly in this country for us to wait
for something to happen before any move
was made to step up safety of drain covers
and make a legal move.”
It’s true that when a power safety cover
is properly in place over a pool, it provides
a high level of safety for children by
Visit our website at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
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JUNE 09 swimming pool news 59
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