This Section indicates... "Where the barrier is composed of
horizontal and vertical members and the distance between
the tops of the horizontal members is less than 45 inches
(1143 mm), the horizontal members shall be located on the
swimming pool side of the fence. Spacing between vertical
members shall not exceed 1 3/4 inches (44 mm) in width." Is it the intent of the code to indicate a 5-foot tri-rail, spear top fence is more climable than a 4' flat top fence?
Interpretation #7474
Published March 23, 2015
Original Request
- Code Version
- 2007
- Code
- RESIDENT
- Code Description
- Residential
- Chapter
- 41
- Section
- 4101.17.1.4
- Topic
- Pool fence height and climability
Question
Answer Published 03/23/2015 at 3:57 PM
The answer is no , the code does not care if it is a 5 ft
tri-rail or a 4 ft flat top, if the fence has both vertical
and horizontal members, and the horizontal members are less
than 45 inches apart, then the horizontal members are to be
on the pool side of the fence, if this occurs the spacing
of the vertical members cannot exceed 1 3/4 inches.
tri-rail or a 4 ft flat top, if the fence has both vertical
and horizontal members, and the horizontal members are less
than 45 inches apart, then the horizontal members are to be
on the pool side of the fence, if this occurs the spacing
of the vertical members cannot exceed 1 3/4 inches.
Commentary
The building code section 104.11 allows the building
official to make the call, if he deems it an acceptable
alternative, meeting the intent.