If you are building a new pool in Florida, or buying a home with one, you will run into the state’s pool safety requirements. The good news is that the law gives you several ways to comply, and an approved safety pool cover is one of them. Here is a plain-English guide to what the law says and where a cover fits in.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Requirements can vary by city and county, so always confirm with your local building department.
Why Florida takes pool safety so seriously
According to the Florida Department of Health, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for Florida children ages 1 to 4. A young child can get into a pool in the few seconds an adult looks away. That is why Florida requires new home pools to have at least one safety feature, and why safety experts recommend using several layers of protection.
The Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act
Florida’s pool safety rules are in Chapter 515 of the Florida Statutes, the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act. A few key points:
- It applies to new residential pools. To pass final inspection and get a certificate of completion, a new pool, spa or hot tub at a one- or two-family home must have at least one approved safety feature.
- Local rules can take priority. The state law doesn’t apply in a city or county that has adopted its own residential pool safety ordinance, so your local requirements may differ.
- Builders must tell you. Pool contractors and home builders have to give buyers a document explaining the requirements.
- There are penalties. Failing to equip a new residential pool with a required safety feature is a misdemeanor under the law.
The five ways to comply
Under section 515.27, a new residential pool must have at least one of these:
- A pool barrier that separates the pool from the home and meets the barrier standards in section 515.29
- An approved safety pool cover
- Exit alarms on every door and window that opens directly to the pool area, rated at least 85 decibels at 10 feet
- Self-closing, self-latching devices on every door that opens directly to the pool, with the release at least 54 inches above the floor
- An in-pool alarm that sounds when someone enters the water and is independently certified to the ASTM F2208 standard
What counts as an “approved safety pool cover”?
The law defines an approved safety pool cover as a manually or power-operated cover that meets all of the performance standards of ASTM F1346, the national safety standard for pool covers. In practical terms, a compliant cover has to be strong enough to support weight, fit securely so a child can’t slip underneath, and be designed to drain or be pumped so water doesn’t pool deeply on top.
Both automatic covers and manual safety covers can meet ASTM F1346. Floating solar blankets, leaf nets and basic winter tarps do not qualify as safety covers.
Before you buy, ask your installer to confirm in writing that the cover is ASTM F1346 compliant.
Barrier, alarms or cover: how they compare
Pool barrier (fence or screen enclosure). The barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside, can’t have gaps or footholds a child could climb, and must sit far enough from the water’s edge. Gates must open outward, away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-latching. Barriers work around the clock, but they can change the look of your backyard, and a gate propped open defeats them.
Door and window alarms or self-latching doors. These are usually the least expensive options, but they only warn you or slow a child down. Alarms get switched off, and latches only work if every door is covered.
In-pool alarm. It alerts you when someone is already in the water, so it is a last line of defense rather than prevention.
Approved safety pool cover. A locked cover keeps children and pets out of the water entirely and doesn’t change the look of your yard. The catch is that it only protects the pool when it is closed. That is why automatic covers are so popular: with the turn of a key, the pool is covered in under a minute, so families actually close it every time they finish swimming.
Layers of protection are best
The law asks for one feature, but drowning prevention experts recommend several layers, because any single layer can fail. A strong setup for a family home might include:
- An automatic safety cover that is closed and locked whenever the pool isn’t in use
- Alarms or self-latching hardware on doors to the pool area
- Constant adult supervision whenever children are in or near the water
- Swim lessons for children and CPR training for adults
An automatic cover has a bonus that other safety features don’t: it also keeps out debris, cuts evaporation and reduces heating and chemical costs. Learn more in our guide to automatic vs. safety vs. mesh pool covers.
Common questions
Does the law apply to my existing pool?
Chapter 515’s requirements apply to new residential pools at final inspection. If you are remodeling, selling or buying a home, your local building department can tell you whether any requirements apply to you. Whatever the law requires, adding a safety feature to an existing pool is always a good idea if children visit your home.
Can an automatic pool cover be my only safety feature?
Under the state law, an approved safety pool cover is one of the five allowed options. Your city or county may have its own rules, so confirm with your local building department, and remember that a cover only protects the pool when it is closed.
Do pool covers need a permit?
Some installations do, especially when they involve electrical work or changes to the deck. Your installer should know your local requirements.
Talk to a pool cover specialist
Safety Pool Covers USA installs automatic and manual safety covers from Loop-Loc, Cover-Dream, Aquamatic and Coverstar for homes and commercial pools. We can help you choose an ASTM F1346 compliant cover that fits your pool and your family. Request a free quote or call 772-219-8030.
