Fences and Walls

Fences and Walls

The objective of fences and walls around pools and spas is to keep unauthorized persons, especially children, out of the pool and spa area. The fence or wall should, at least, conform to the specifications in the illustration. It is important to note the location of horizontal members. Horizontal members should either be at least 45 inches apart or they should be located on the pool side of the barrier.

A fence or a wall that allows a person to climb the fence or wall should not be installed. Objects that provide something a person could use to access the pool area over the fence or wall should not be installed. Chain link or lattice fences should have openings not more than 1¾ inches wide. Walls should not have protrusions that a person could use to grasp and scale the wall. A bench, a pot, or a similar object that a person could use to climb over the fence or wall should not be near the fence or wall. A climbable tree that a person could use to climb over the fence or wall should not overhang the fence or wall. Issues such as trees, pots, and similar objects often occur on adjacent property. The home inspector should alert clients to these issues even if they cannot affect the adjacent property.