Since 1st January 2004, all homeowners with a pool must be equipped with a safety system. For pools built before that date, homeowners had until 1st January 2006 to conform.
The pools concerned
These are private pools for individual or collective use outdoors, whether buried or half-buried (individual homes, residential buildings, vacation villages, camping grounds, etc.).
Not included within the scope of the legislation are indoor pools, above-ground models, and for-a-fee organisations that use the services of a lifeguard.
The safety devices provided for by law
The owner must choose one system from among the following four:
- a fence to prevent a child under 5 from accessing the pool without the assistance of an adult
- a cover that must prevent the involuntary immersion of children under five and resist the weight of an adult
- an alarm equipped with a siren
- a shelter built in such a way that the pool cannot be accessed by children under 5.
Your installation
The manufacturer/installer of the safety system must guarantee the homeowner that his/her/its system complies with one of these four standards:
- for fences: standard NF P90-306
- for covers: standard NF P90-308
- for alarms: standard NF P90-309
- for shelters: standard NF P90-309
Concerning homeowners that installed a pool before 8 June 2004, they can have the conformity of their safety system certified by a manufacturer, a sales person, or even a government-affiliated technical inspector (www.construction.equipement.gouv.fr).
If the system does not comply, he/she will have to perform the necessary work or purchase a new system.
When installing your pool, and no later than the date you take possession of the pool, the builder must provide you with a technical notice informing you of drowning risks, preventive measures, as well as the characteristics and operating modes for the safety system you selected.
The homeowner can be fined € 45 000 for not complying with safety rules.
A few tips
- Note: a child can drown in under 3 minutes and in 20 cm of water.
- Never leave your child alone by the pool, always watch him/her.
- Equip wee ones with buoys, wings, and suitable swimsuits.
- Teach them how to swim early on so they can familiarise themselves with water.
- After bathing, do not leave the pool until you are sure the safety system is working and the pool is inaccessible.
- And last but not least, take a simple first aid course.
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