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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSwimming_Pools_and_Hot_TubsDo you need a permit? It is the owner’s responsibility to obtain a building permit before installing any private swimming pool, hot tub and spas with a water design depth greater than 600 mm (24”) at any point. Local by-laws and provincial regulations governing when you need a permit may vary with the specific cir-cumstances surrounding your project. Always check with the permit issuing authority in your area prior to commencing any work on build-ings covered by the current edition of the Alberta Building Code. Gas permits are required to install or modify all gas-fired swimming pool heaters. Gas-fired swimming pool heater (s) must be in-stalled and maintained in accordance with manu-facture's certified instructions, and “ the current Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code.” Electrical work on any private pool installations will require an Electrical Permit. To ensure safety, proper grounding and bonding of all non-current-carrying metal parts in and around the pool and ground fault circuit interruption de-vices must be provided as per “ the current Cana-dian Electrical Code.” Outdoor installations must also satisfy minimum clearance requirements for all over-head and under-ground power lines. Where do I get a permit? Permit (s) are available through municipalities that are accredited to administer the Safety Codes Act, and through agencies who provide inspection ser-vices on behalf of the province in non-accredited municipalities. If you are not certain on where to obtain the re-quired permit (s) for projects located in your area or you have further questions on requirements for private swimming pool, hot tub and spas installa-tions, please contact Alberta Municipal Affairs using the contact information provided on the back of this brochure to find out more. Safety TipsPrivate Swimming Pools Hot Tubs and Spas Alberta’s Safety System Alberta Municipal Affairs works in partnership with the Safety Codes Council, municipalities, corporations, agencies, and other organizations, to deliver effective community-focused public safety programs and ser-vices to Albertans. Questions or more information: Alberta Municipal Affairs Safety Services Branch 16th Floor, Commerce Place 10155 - 102 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4L4 Phone toll-free: 1 (866) 421 6929 Fax: (780) 427 8686 E-mail: safety.services@gov.ab.ca www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca Safety Codes Council Suite 1000, 10665 - Jasper Ave NW Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3S9 Toll-free within Alberta: Phone: 1 (888) 413 0099 Fax: 1 (888) 424 5134 Email: webmaster@safetycodes.ab.ca Please place your agency or municipality contact information in the space below. These brochures may be updated periodically. They have no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. January 2011 ISBN 978-0-7785-7121-6 The Alberta Building Code states the following for fence and gate design and construction of private swimming pools and for their required protection: Fence and gate design 1) The entire area of an outdoor swimming pool shall be protected by a fence, building wall or enclosure that can prevent access by unauthorized persons and its height above the outside ground level shall not be less than; ● 1.8 m ( 6’-0” ) for a private swimming pool, and ● 2.0 m ( 6’-7” ) for all other swimming pools. 2.) An opening for access through a fence around a swimming pool or a private swimming pool shall be protected by a gate that is; ● the same height as the fence, ● equipped with a self-closing device, ● equipped with a self-latching device on the inside of the gate located not less than 1.5 m ( 5’-0” ) above the ground level, and ● capable of being locked. 3.) The fence and gate around a swimming pool or a private swimming pool shall be constructed so that all horizontal and diagonal members are located on the swimming pool side. 4.) Barbed wire shall not be used on or for a fence or gate around a swimming pool or private swimming pool. 5.) No device shall be installed on or adjacent to a fence or gate around a swimming pool or a private swimming pool that could cause an electric current to pass through the fence or gate. Although the use of swimming pools is a wonderful way to enjoy the summer, caution needs to be exer-cised to prevent children from a disastrous encounter with a swimming pool. The Alberta Building Code (ABC) has specific safety requirements governing swimming pools and the place-ment of pools to protect you, and neighboring children who may be tempted to use your pool without you knowing it. Without supervision a child can easily drown in a swimming pool. Swimming pool design Swimming pools come in basically three styles: in-ground, above-ground and on-ground types. NOTE: Under the Alberta Building Code Swimming pool means a structure, basin or tank containing an arti-ficially created pool of water that is greater than 600 mm (24”) in depth at any point and is used for swim-ming, recreation, bathing, diving, wading, healing or therapy, religious rituals or other purposes, and includes all buildings, equipment and facilities used in connec-tion with it. Private swimming pools If a privately-owned pool has a water design depth greater than 600 mm (24”) at any point (regardless of the pool’s surface area and regardless of whether the pool has a water circulation system), then the pool is classified as a private pool for ABC purposes. Fence and gate requirements will then apply. NOTE: These requirements are applicable even if the private swimming pool is designed for use as an on-ground swimming pool. Private Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs and Spas NOTE: A fence is not required around any portion of an outdoor private swimming pool where the top of the out-side wall of the private swimming pool is not less than 1.8 m ( 6’-0” ) above the level of the ground outside the wall and the wall is constructed so that the only means of access to the private swimming pool is through a gate or similar facility. Protective covers for hot tubs Hot tubs and spas are viewed as special purpose pools and have similar requirements to protect people from drowning. In accordance with the Alberta Building Code, they are classified as swimming pools, if their wa-ter depth is greater than 600 mm ( 24 “ ) at any point . As such, the same fence and gate design requirements will then apply when they are installed out of doors at a single family dwelling. As an alternative to installing a fence and gate to prevent unauthorized access to your hot tub, a building code VARIANCE has been issued stating that a fence and gate conforming to the Alberta Building Code need not be provided around an exterior hot tub for a single family dwelling provided: 1. The hot tub does not exceed 2.4 m ( 8’-0” ) across the widest portion of the water’s surface. 2. The hot tub is provided with a cover that; a) has been designed and constructed in confor-mance with ASTM F1346-91, Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Re-quirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs,” and b) is provided with lockable devices to prevent ac-cess to the water by unauthorized persons.