The Law & Safety for your swimming pool
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 and barriers, below is
some easy to read facts on the swimming pool laws.
The recent changes to French Law mean that all privately owned swimming pools must have a safety device in place that conforms to AFNOR Standards prior to 1st January 2006. All properties that are available to rent or which have a pool for collective use must have a device in place by 1st May 2004. All pools installed after 1st January 2004 must also be protected. Additionally, all rented properties, or properties with a pool in collective use, must also have a self closing and self locking gate as part of their fence, to prevent accidental access to the pool by children below the age of five years.
There
are four types of approved security system:
1. Security Barriers, AFNOR
standard: NF P 90-306.
Removable
or permanent, ensure the best safety as entrance to the pool side is not
available to young children
2. Pool Alarms, AFNOR
standard: NF P 90-307.
Immersion
detector or perimeter alarm
Be
aware, even if you have installed a certified device, if an accident occurs you
are still liable. Even the most
advanced or expensive alarm system is only effective if there is someone there
to react to it. These laws are not only in place to protect your children but
also for those of others who may happen by while you are out.
3. Pool Covers, AFNOR
standard: NF P 90-308.
Winter
covers are only accepted if they are AFNOR approved. Due to the recent nature of
these standards, most covers older than 3 years old are not certified.
4. Pool Abris, AFNOR
standard: NF P 90-309.
The
most expensive option.
These extracts are for your general information; they are not a definitive interpretation of the law and should not be regarded as such.
The standard decided by the French Government and regulated by AFNOR is defined as NF P90 306. NF P 90-307. NF P 90-308. NF P 90-309. These requires a standard means of security for every pool that is constructed in 2004 and covers all pools by 1st January 2006.
It is essential that all property owners understand that if their property is available for rent then ALL pools must have a security device in place by 1st January 2004 (This deadline has been extended to 1st May 2004)
Non-compliance is enforced by a fine of up to €45,000.
Hamish FRANCIS:
CADIERGUES VIAZAC 46100 FRANCE
TEL/ FAX 0033 (0)5 6 511 93 20
MOBILE 0033 (0)6 85 90 63 28