Swimming Pool Articles, Pool Security France

Swimming Pools, Pool Security France

Pool Articles, France pools now number over 900,000 not everyone is fortunate to have a pool installed, we have many clients who "inherit" a pool when they buy their French property, so we are collating all the information possible to help those who want to install a DIY kit swimming pool or already have a pool but need some advice on maintaining it.

Swimming pool articles, we hope that our pool articles will give you all the help and advice you need to maintain your pool in France or wherever you may be. Water quality is as important as choosing the right pool to install in the first place so we hope to be able to keep your pool clean and hygienic as well as giving you practical and useful advice.

Pool Security In France, It’s the Law !

Everyone should be aware of the law governing pool security in France. It is the law and despite many arguments against it, all In ground pools in France must comply by having one of the four approved methods of security system in place by 1^st January 2006. The fine for not complying with the law is €45,000.00.

An on ground or semi in ground pools are not affected by the law and normally just rely on a security ladder or one that gets taken away when the pool is not in use.

We hope to help clarify how you can comply with this new law, if you already own, or are considering purchasing a new swimming pool in France. It’s been specifically put in place to protect children under 5 years old but anyone with kids will understand that NO security device, no matter how well approved can replace the vigilance of a responsible adult at all times.

The law was originally passed on 1^st Jan 2003. To comply with the law, the standards for pool security systems have been set by AFNOR (the body responsible for French safety standards) so that any method of security fitted must conform to the specifications set out in each category of security device.

There are four types of approved security system:

1. Security Barriers, AFNOR standard: NF P 90-306.

2. Pool Alarms, AFNOR standard: NF P 90-307.

3. Pool Covers, AFNOR standard: NF P 90-308.

4. Pool Abris, AFNOR standard: NF P 90-309.

It should also be pointed out at this stage that any security device can either be self certificated by the manufacturer, who declares that they have made the system in accordance with the AFNOR standard, or, certificated by the manufacturer AND certified and tested by the LNE (Laboritoire National d’Essai). This is an AFNOR, recognised laboratory who are involved with setting out the standards for pool security systems. Any device tested by the LNE will be given it’s own certification number, it’s considered to be homologated and will carry the NF mark.

Security Barriers.

There’s dozens of types of pool security fencing now available in France. There are flexible mesh barriers, metal barriers, UPVC barriers, Perspex and transparent PVC paneled barriers or wooden fences. Although not everyone’s “cup of tea” a barrier is one of the best options for pool security.

To clarify one point, no natural boundaries can be considered as a security barrier e.g. hedges, banks, ditches etc, neither will any other sort of fencing not specifically made as a pool security system, no matter how impenetrable it is.

For collective usage pools (pools used by more than one family) particularly gites, campsites etc there must be a self closing, self latching gate which opens outwards away from the pool. Most systems available have this type of gate as standard.

For private pools a barrier system can be fitted with a manually operated gate, but it makes sense if you are going to have a go, to fit a child proof latch, as high as you can out of reach of little ones.

The main advantage of a barrier is that it needs very little maintenance or testing, so once it’s installed you can pretty much forget about it. As long as any gate fitted is tested occasionally it doesn’t rely on anyone else doing anything apart from opening the gate.

Another option for a barrier is of course, a wall. There are important parts of the standard that must be adhered to, the most important of these is the barrier must be further than 1 mtr from the edge of a pool, and be over 1.10 mtrs high, there must be no foot holds so natural stone walls are a no, no but a smooth rendered wall is quite acceptable.

The AFNOR standard also states that the barrier must not be so far away from the pool so as to be ineffective, in other words if you fit a wall all around your property it won’t be deemed as secure as the house is inside the protected area, it all gets very complicated and in many cases the best thing to do is protect the pool area only and make it a designated area for swimming only.

Another great advantage of a wall is that it will keep a lot of debris out of the water and really does define the pool area.

One disadvantage is that it does reduce visibility from outside the pool.

Pool Alarms.

Alarms come in two main types, immersion detector or perimeter alarm. The immersion detector senses a fall into the pool and then must activate within 12 seconds. The perimeter alarm works by infra red beams, when broken the alarm sounds. These systems, although approved, are not the best option for pool security and are best used in conjunction with another approved device.

There are many downsides to using this system, some alarms require wristbands or keys to be worn by swimmers, others need a “code” to be entered which disarms the alarm whilst people swim, they don’t work under a cover so need to be removed if you want to winterize your pool.

There are also some grey areas, alarms must be tested monthly, they are susceptible to false alarms and the AFNOR standards state that a responsible adult must be able to respond to an alarm in less than three minutes. Although a five year old should have an adult with them at all times, if they don’t and there is a fatality ultimately the responsibility lies with the pool owner.

The only benefit is cost. Obviously the cheapest option is nearly always not the best one.

Pool Covers

As with everything else there are lots of different security covers available, the main thing to remember is that whichever sort of cover you choose, it must be put back on whenever your pool is left unattended, so a cover which is easy to put on and take off is important especially if you expect anyone else using the pool to put the cover on when they aren’t using it.

Any cover used to winterize your pool must also be AFNOR approved (unless you have an alternative form of security),so if your cover is more than three years old the chances are that it won’t be approved and needs changing.

There are covers which do the job of a security system, summer and winter cover and are even available solar or mains powered so all you have to do is turn a key to operate them.

Pool Abris

An abri looks a bit like a greenhouse, they are also available in many shapes and sizes, fixed or telescopic. Apart from the price, (this is about the most expensive option) there are many advantages. As well as it being an approved security device, it will help heat the water in your pool, keep out debris, reduce chemical usage and evaporation, if you heat your pool, it effectively turns it into an indoor pool you can use all year round.

The main disadvantage to fitting an abris is the cost. A low fixed abri although cheaper doesn’t give a lot of room underneath and can be considered claustrophobic, high abris, normally up to 3 mtrs tall give plenty of space but also need a great deal of room to install them.

Whichever system you choose, it should be practical and easy to use, your local pool professional should be able to advise you on the pro’s and con’s of each system and discuss the suitability of each system in your particular application.

Whatever you choose, it’s going to cost a lot less than €45,000.00 !

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