I need some help from the iDigHardware community on this one…
I have run into this several times before and I’m wondering how you are seeing it addressed in the field. It is not uncommon for a building to have a means of egress that passes through a swimming pool enclosure. Clubhouses, multifamily residential buildings, and health clubs are a few examples of where this might occur.
The International Building Code (IBC) includes some requirements to ensure the safety of small children by limiting their access to swimming pool enclosures, and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) goes into greater detail (here’s an article on some recent changes).
How is the need for egress from the building addressed along with consideration for the hazards of exiting through a swimming pool enclosure? The codes allow hardware on pool doors and gates to be mounted up to 54 inches above the floor if the doors or gates are not self-locking. But when a means of egress passes through a pool enclosure, the question of whether the door or gate is self-locking on the access side is irrelevant – access to the pool is from the egress side of the door opening.
If you have experience with this application, I’d love to hear how egress through the pool area is being balanced with limiting pool access for children.
WWYD?
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This is a prevalent challenge assuming a multifamily community wants a TCO on both the building and the pool.
In the past, many jurisdictions allowed developers to trap anyone egressing a building against the pool fence. However, this has changed in the past couple of years. An increasing number of jurisdictions require an accessible pathway outside the pool enclosure away from the building.
I have seen delayed egress and access-controlled sirens used, but I am unsure if the requisite codes agree – IBC, ISPSC, ADA, etc. Even if they do, I recommend running by the AHJ (beware, the building and pool likely have different inspections) before installation. Even if everyone approves, sirens are an imperfect solution in a building with a few hundred residents who are usually asleep when the sirens are triggered.
I agree, Henry. Delayed egress and exit alarms would not be ideal.
– Lori
Been doing these for a while now and we specifically design it so that the egress from the Clubhouse does not go directly into the Pool enclosure. It’s separated from the building by a pathway or Activity area between the two.
I think that would be the best option!
– Lori
Had three exit doors leading from interior & locker rooms to the pool. We used double acting storefront with a latch & pull lever mounted at 54″. Installed a concealed overhead double acting closer. Created a custom rescue strike for the frame to catch the latch both ways. The last part is a stop, from the automatic door guys; flush mounted in the header with a 50 lg breakaway in the direction of exit. Add a sign “Push Hard To Exit”. AHJ liked it.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
– Lori