2018 NC Residential Code, Appendix V

Structures over 24 inches deep are regulated "swimming pools"

We check the water depth of any pool, hot tub, or spa to see if it's deep enough to count as a regulated swimming pool.

Must be: Any pool, hot tub, or spa holding water deeper than 24 inches counts as a swimming pool and must have a safety barrier.

If it fails: If the water is over 24 inches deep, install a code-compliant safety barrier around it.

AV102.1

Barrier top at least 48 inches above grade

We measure the height of the pool's safety barrier or fence from the ground on the outside.

Must be: The top of the barrier must be at least 48 inches above the ground, measured from the outward-facing side.

If it fails: Raise the fence or add an extension so it reaches 48 inches.

AV105.2(1)

Maximum gap beneath barrier is 2 inches (4 in over concrete/solid material)

We measure the gap between the ground and the bottom of the pool barrier.

Must be: That gap can be no more than 2 inches, or up to 4 inches where the ground beneath is solid concrete or similar hard material.

If it fails: Add a bottom rail, fill material, or lower the fence to close the gap.

AV105.2(1)

Gap beneath barrier up to 4 in over concrete or fixed solid material

We check the surface beneath the barrier to see if it's concrete or another fixed solid material.

Must be: Where the base is solid concrete or similar fixed material, the gap under the barrier may be up to 4 inches instead of 2.

AV105.2(1)

Above-ground pool structure itself may serve as the barrier

We check whether the above-ground pool's own wall is being used as the required safety barrier.

Must be: For an above-ground pool, the barrier can be the pool wall itself at ground level, or a separate barrier mounted on top.

AV105.2(1)

Gap under a barrier mounted atop an above-ground pool: max 4 inches

We measure the gap between the top of the pool wall and the bottom of a barrier mounted on top of it.

Must be: That gap can be no more than 4 inches.

If it fails: Adjust or add a bottom rail to close the gap to 4 inches or less.

AV105.2(1)

Barrier openings must not pass a 4-inch-diameter sphere

We check whether a 4-inch ball can pass through any opening in the pool barrier.

Must be: No opening in the barrier can be large enough for a 4-inch sphere to pass through.

If it fails: Add mesh, slats, or narrow the gaps so a 4-inch ball can't fit through.

AV105.2(2)

Solid barriers must not have climbable indentations or protrusions

We check solid barriers, like masonry or stone walls, for footholds or handholds a child could climb.

Must be: A solid wall barrier can't have indentations or protrusions that create footholds, other than normal texture and mortar joints.

If it fails: Smooth or fill in any protrusions or notches that could be used to climb the wall.

AV105.2(3)

Horizontal members must face the pool side when spaced under 45 inches apart

We check which side of the fence the horizontal rails face when they're spaced less than 45 inches apart.

Must be: If horizontal rails are closer together than 45 inches, they must face the pool side of the fence, not the outside.

If it fails: Reinstall or flip the fence panels so the horizontal rails face the pool.

AV105.2(4)

Vertical member spacing max 1-3/4 in (horizontal members under 45 in apart)

We measure the gaps between the vertical pickets on this type of fence.

Must be: The gaps between vertical pickets must be no more than 1-3/4 inches wide.

If it fails: Add pickets or a mesh insert to narrow the gaps.

AV105.2(4)

Cutout spacing max 1-3/4 in (horizontal members under 45 in apart)

We measure the openings within any decorative cutouts in the fence's vertical pickets.

Must be: Cutout openings in the pickets must be no more than 1-3/4 inches wide.

If it fails: Fill or cover cutouts that are wider than 1-3/4 inches.

AV105.2(4)

Vertical member spacing max 4 in when horizontal members are 45 in or more apart

We measure the gaps between vertical pickets when the fence's horizontal rails are spaced 45 inches or more apart.

Must be: In that case, the gaps between vertical pickets can be no more than 4 inches wide.

If it fails: Add pickets to narrow any gaps over 4 inches.

AV105.2(5)

Cutout spacing max 1-3/4 in (horizontal members 45 in or more apart)

We measure decorative cutout openings in the pickets when the fence's horizontal rails are 45 inches or more apart.

Must be: Those cutouts must still be no more than 1-3/4 inches wide.

AV105.2(5)

Chain link mesh max 2-1/4 in square, unless slats reduce to 1-3/4 in

We measure the size of the openings in a chain-link fence used as the pool barrier.

Must be: Chain-link mesh openings can be no larger than 2-1/4 inches square, unless slats shrink the openings to 1-3/4 inches or less.

If it fails: Add privacy slats to shrink oversized mesh openings, or replace the fence with tighter mesh.

AV105.2(6)

Diagonal-member (lattice) barrier openings max 1-3/4 in

We check the size of the openings in any diagonal lattice-style fence used as your pool barrier.

Must be: Openings formed by diagonal fence members must be no more than 1 3/4 inches wide.

If it fails: Replace or tighten the lattice so gaps are smaller than 1 3/4 inches.

AV105.2(7)

Access gates must meet barrier criteria and accommodate a locking device

We check that your pool's access gates meet all the same barrier standards as the fence and can accept a lock.

Must be: Gates must meet the same barrier requirements as the rest of the fence and be able to accommodate a locking device.

AV105.2(8)

Pedestrian access gates must open outward, away from the pool

We check which direction your pool's walk-through gates swing.

Must be: Pedestrian gates must swing open away from the pool, not toward it.

If it fails: Rehang the gate hinges so it opens outward, away from the water.

AV105.2(8)

Pedestrian access gates must be self-closing and self-latching

We test that your pool gate closes and latches on its own.

Must be: Gates must close by themselves and latch automatically without anyone touching them.

If it fails: Install a self-closing hinge and self-latching device if the gate doesn't already have one.

AV105.2(8)

Non-pedestrian gates must have a self-latching device

We check that vehicle or utility gates in the barrier have a self-latching lock.

Must be: Any gate other than a walk-through gate must still latch itself shut automatically.

If it fails: Add a self-latching device to the gate.

AV105.2(8)

Low gate release mechanism must sit at least 3 in below gate top

We check the placement of the gate latch release when it sits low on the gate.

Must be: If the latch release is less than 54 inches from the ground, it must be on the pool side of the gate and at least 3 inches below the top.

If it fails: Move the release handle to the pool-facing side, at least 3 inches down from the gate's top edge.

AV105.2(8.1)

Openings near a low-mounted gate release mechanism must not exceed 1/2 inch

We check for gaps near a low-mounted gate latch that a child could reach through.

Must be: Within 18 inches of a low latch release, no opening in the gate or fence can be larger than 1/2 inch.

If it fails: Add mesh or a solid panel to close any gaps larger than 1/2 inch near the latch.

AV105.2(8.2)

Dwelling wall as barrier, option 1: powered safety cover per ASTM F1346

We check whether a powered pool cover is being used in place of a fence where the house wall serves as part of the barrier.

Must be: The pool must have a motorized safety cover that meets the ASTM F1346 safety standard.

AV105.2(9.1)

Dwelling wall as barrier, option 2: UL 2017 listed door/screen alarm

We check whether doors leading to the pool from the house have a working alarm instead of a fence.

Must be: Any door with direct access to the pool must sound an audible alarm when opened, and the alarm must be UL 2017 listed.

If it fails: Install a UL 2017 listed door or screen alarm on each pool-access door.

AV105.2(9.2)

Door-alarm deactivation switch must be at least 54 in above threshold

We check the height of the switch used to silence the pool door alarm.

Must be: The alarm's off switch must be mounted at least 54 inches above the door threshold.

If it fails: Remount the deactivation switch higher, at least 54 inches above the floor.

AV105.2(9.2)

Dwelling wall as barrier: governing-body-approved equivalent protection

We check whether any alternative used in place of a fence, cover, or alarm is one your local building department has approved.

Must be: Any substitute protection, like a self-closing and self-latching door, must be approved locally and offer protection equal to a safety cover or door alarm.

AV105.2(9.3)

Indoor pool walls must meet the door/screen alarm or equivalent rule

We check that the walls around an indoor pool provide the same protection as the dwelling-wall-as-barrier rules for outdoor pools.

Must be: Indoor pool walls must use a powered safety cover, a UL-listed door alarm, or another approved equivalent, same as an outdoor pool.

AV105.3

Barriers must be sited to prevent climbing via nearby structures or equipment

We check the area around your pool barrier for anything that could be used to climb over it.

Must be: Nothing permanent, such as furniture, equipment, or landscaping features, can sit close enough to the barrier to help someone climb it.

If it fails: Move or remove any climbable object near the fence, such as planters or stacked equipment.

AV105.4

Spas/hot tubs with an ASTM F1346 safety cover are exempt from AV105

We check whether your spa or hot tub has a certified safety cover that lets it skip the fencing requirements.

Must be: A spa or hot tub is exempt from the pool barrier rules if it's equipped with a safety cover meeting the ASTM F1346 standard.

AV105.5

Above-ground pool ladder/steps as barrier access must lock or remove

We check the ladder or steps on an above-ground pool that doubles as part of the barrier.

Must be: The ladder or steps must be able to be locked, secured, or taken away so they can't be used to climb in.

If it fails: Add a locking ladder barrier or store the steps away when the pool isn't in use.

AV105.2(10.1)

Alternative to lockable ladder: surround access with a full AV105.2 barrier

We check whether the ladder area is instead fully fenced off as an alternative to a lockable ladder.

Must be: If the ladder isn't lockable, it must be surrounded by a full barrier, and once secured, no gap can be big enough to let a 4-inch ball pass through.

AV105.2(10.2)

Suction outlets must be designed/installed per ANSI/APSP-7 entrapment standard

We check that the pool's suction outlets and drain covers are designed to prevent entrapment.

Must be: Suction outlets must be designed and installed according to the ANSI/APSP-7 anti-entrapment standard.

If it fails: Replace outdated drain covers with ones certified to the current anti-entrapment standard.

AV106.1

Pools in mapped flood hazard areas require floodway compliance documentation

We check whether the pool sits in a mapped flood hazard area and, if so, whether the required flood paperwork is on file.

Must be: A pool in a mapped flood hazard area needs documentation showing it meets the applicable floodway rules, with limited exceptions.

If it fails: Obtain the required flood-compliance documentation from a licensed engineer or the local building official.

AV101.2

Pools in designated floodways require no-rise documentation to building official

We check for no-rise flood documentation if the pool sits in a designated floodway.

Must be: A pool in a designated floodway must have documentation on file proving it doesn't raise flood levels anywhere in the jurisdiction.

If it fails: Have an engineer prepare and file a no-rise certification with the building official.

AV101.2.1

Pools where floodways undesignated: floodway analysis limits rise to 1 foot

We check for a floodway analysis if the pool is in an area with flood elevations set but no floodway boundary drawn yet.

Must be: An analysis on file must show the pool raises flood levels by no more than 1 foot anywhere in the jurisdiction.

If it fails: Have an engineer prepare a floodway analysis confirming the rise stays under 1 foot.

AV101.2.2

In-ground residential pools must conform to ANSI/NSPI-5

We check that an in-ground residential pool was built to the recognized national construction standard for in-ground pools.

Must be: In-ground pools must be designed and built to the ANSI/NSPI-5 residential in-ground pool standard.

AV103.1

Above-ground/on-ground residential pools must conform to ANSI/NSPI-4

We check that an above-ground or on-ground residential pool was built to the recognized national standard for that pool type.

Must be: Above-ground and on-ground pools must be designed and built to the ANSI/NSPI-4 standard.

AV103.2

Pools in coastal high hazard flood areas must conform to ASCE 24

We check whether the pool sits in a coastal high-hazard flood zone and, if so, whether it meets the flood-resistant standard.

Must be: Pools in a coastal high-hazard flood area must be designed and built to the ASCE 24 flood-resistant standard.

If it fails: Have an engineer evaluate the pool against ASCE 24 and retrofit as needed.

AV103.3

Permanently installed spas/hot tubs must conform to ANSI/NSPI-3

We check that a permanently installed spa or hot tub was built to the recognized national standard for that equipment.

Must be: Permanently installed spas and hot tubs must be designed and built to the ANSI/NSPI-3 standard.

AV104.1

Portable spas/hot tubs must conform to ANSI/NSPI-6

We check that a portable spa or hot tub meets the recognized national standard for portable spas.

Must be: Portable spas and hot tubs must be built to the ANSI/NSPI-6 standard.

AV104.2