Sammamish enforces statewide pool safety rules through the adopted 2021 ISPSC (SMC 16.05.157) and SMC Chapter 16.25. Requirements include perimeter barriers, self-latching gates, door/window alarms or powered safety covers for walls formed by the house, anti-entrapment suction outlets with dual drains, and required handholds and entry/exit means in pools.
Pool safety in Sammamish comes from the adopted 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (SMC 16.05.157) plus the property maintenance barrier rules in SMC Chapter 16.25. Following the Washington building code requirements applied region-wide, where a dwelling wall forms part of the barrier, operable windows with sills under 48 inches and doors giving direct pool access must have a UL 2017 alarm that sounds within 7 seconds for at least 30 seconds, OR the pool must have a powered ASTM F1346 safety cover, OR another approved equivalent. Suction outlets must be protected against entrapment: covers conforming to ANSI/ASME A112.19.8M, an atmospheric vacuum relief or safety vacuum release system (ASME A112.19.17), and dual drains separated by at least 3 feet. Pools must have a means of entry and exit where shallow water exceeds 24 inches, a second entry/exit where deep water exceeds 5 feet, and handholds along the perimeter where depth exceeds 42 inches. Equipment disconnects must sit at least 5 feet from the water. These are statewide standards adopted by Sammamish rather than locally invented rules.
Non-compliant barriers, missing gate self-latching hardware, unprotected suction outlets, or missing door/window alarms are building and property-maintenance code violations enforced under SMC Title 16. Enforcement can include correction notices, failed inspections, and civil penalties. Suction-entrapment and barrier deficiencies are treated as life-safety items.
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