675 IAC 20-4-27 Safety Features:

Sec. 27 (a) A residential pool shall be provided with a suitable handhold around its perimeter in areas where depths exceed three (3) feet six (6) inches. Handholds shall be provided no further apart than four (4) feet and shall consist of any one (1) or a combination of items listed as follows:

1. Coping, ledge, or deck along the immediate top edge of the pool which provides a slip-resisting surface of a least four (4) inches minimum horizontal width and located at or not more than twelve (12) inches above the waterline.
2. Ladders, stairs, or seat ledges.
3. A secured rope or railing placed at or not more than twelve (12) inches above the waterline.

Sec. 27(b) Rope anchor devices shall be installed at a minimum of one (1) foot and maximum of two (2) feet on the shallow end side of a point of change in floor slope. In pools where the slope change occurs in water depths less than four (4) feet six (6) inches, a transition rope supported by buoys shall be installed.

Sec. 27(c) Access to residential pools shall be restricted by one (1) of the following means:

1. Walls or fencing not less than (5) feet high and completely surrounding the pool and deck area with the exception of self-closing and latching gates and doors, both capable of being locked.
2. Other means not less than (5) feet high and deemed impenetrable by the enforcing authority at the time of construction and completely surrounding the pool and deck area when the pool is not in use.
3. A Combination of subdivisions (1) and (2) that completely surrounds the pool and deck with the exception of self-closing and latching gates and doors which are capable of being locked. This applies to subdivisions (1) and (2) and this subdivision only.
4. A power safety pool cover which shall:

1. Provide a continuous connection between the cover and the deck, so as to prohibit access to the pool when the cover is completely drawn over the pool:
2.  Is installed with track, rollers, tails guides or other accessories necessary to accomplish clauses (A) and (B) in accordance with the manufacture’s instructions; and
3. Be mechanically operated by a key or key and switch such that the cover cannot be drawn open or retracted without the use of a key.
4. Bear an identification tag indicating that the cover satisfies the requirements of ASTM F1346 for power safety pool covers.

Sec. 27(d) Not less than the following lifesaving equipment shall be installed with each residential swimming pool:

Not less than the following lifesaving equipment shall be installed with each residential swimming pool:

1. A ring or throwing buoy fitted with forty (40) feet of one-fourth (1/4) inch diameter line.
2. A pole not less than twelve (12) feet in length.
3. Access to a telephone.
   
   

EFF: January 10, 1993