Inflatable Pools May Pose Safety Risks
(Thursday, July 7/05)
HRM District 6 Councillor Andrew Younger is concerned about safety issues regarding the growing number of inflatable swimming pools in his area.
Councillor Younger said parents are reminded that pools over two feet deep and 100 square feet of surface area must meet the requirements of HRM’s pool by-law, which requires municipal permits and safety fencing.
Swimming Pool By-law (S-700) defines a pool for the purposes of regulation as any artificial body of water outside a building over 24 inches in depth and with over 100 square feet of surface area. [Correction ! - quote from bylaw: "swimming pool" means an artificial body of water outside a building, excluding ponds, having more than 100 square feet of surface area that is designed or intended to be used for swimming purposes and contains or is capable of containing a water depth of more than 24 inches. (This means draining to a depth of 24 inches DOES NOT EXEMPT compliance to this by-law!) ] Pools meeting this criteria require both a municipal development permit and a building permit and are subject to fencing and other requirements of the by-law.
“Pools are great fun for children and others, but we certainly don’t want to read about any backyard pool fatalities this summer. Safety fencing prevents toddlers and children from gaining access to these pools when adults are not around and therefore, reduces the risk of accident or drowning,” he said.
For more information on By-law S-700, visit the HRM website at www.halifax.ca/legislation/bylaws/hrm/bls700.pdf
[Also see easier to read highlighted version http://novascotiapoolsafety.blogspot.com/2007/07/halifax-regional-municipality-by-law.html ]
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Councillor Andrew Younger(902) 476-1727
1 comment:
that additional strategies to prevent drowning other than pool fencing were needed. We recommend a pool fence and a safety net, layers of prevention is best. white vinyl fence
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