Massachusetts Swimming Pool Barrier Code Requirements

Section 206: Public and semipublic outdoor inground swimming pools; enclosures; safety equipment; inspection; violations; penalty Section 206. Every public and semipublic outdoor inground swimming pool shall be enclosed by a fence six feet in height and firmly secured at ground level provided that any board or stockade fence or structure shall be at least five feet in height, but if over five feet in height, the fence shall be chain link. Such enclosure, including gates therein, shall not be less than six feet above the ground, and any gate shall be self-latching with latches placed four feet above the ground or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to children up to eight years of age. Such enclosure shall be constructed of such material and maintained so as not to permit any opening in said enclosure, other than a gate, wider than three inches at any point along the enclosure. Any such pool shall be equipped with at least one life ring and a rescue hook. Every outdoor inground swimming pool open to the public, other than a public inground swimming pool fed by a spring or stream shall be drained or covered within seven days of closing.