On a hot, humid afternoon in Columbia, the cool, shimmering water of your backyard pool becomes an irresistible oasis, offering the perfect escape from the heat. Whether you already have a pool or are planning to install one, it’s essential to be aware of South Carolina’s pool fence regulations. Ensuring your pool is enjoyable and safe is a responsibility that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Your children’s safety and protection are your top priorities, and a Columbia, SC pool fence is one of the best ways to keep them safe from accidents. The Fence Company Columbia is here to help you understand the requirements in place to protect them, as well as how to choose the right pool fence to ensure you meet these requirements. 

Enhancing Safety with Pool Regulations in Columbia, SC

South Carolina has specific requirements for residential swimming pool safety to protect young children and vulnerable individuals. Homeowners must install safety barriers, such as fences, around their pools.

These regulations establish the standards and requirements for swimming pool barriers to ensure the safety of children, the elderly, and other vulnerable individuals. Additionally, local county or city governments in South Carolina can implement their own regulations, provided they meet or exceed state standards.

Pool Fence Regulations in South Carolina: Are Privacy Fences Enough?

If you have a privacy fence in your yard, you may or may not require an additional barrier surrounding your pool. Let’s review the requirements to determine whether a Columbia, South Carolina fence company should install a pool barrier in addition to your privacy fence.

Columbia, South Carolina Pool Fence Requirements: What You Need to Know

According to South Carolina’s pool safety regulations, pool barriers and fences should be at least 48 inches (4 feet) tall and surround all sides of a swimming pool to ensure safety. The home can serve as one side of the pool barrier, with the other sides enclosed by a privacy fence or another secure barrier. Pool barriers in the Columbia, South Carolina area can be made of a variety of materials, including brick walls and detachable pool fences. The fence must not have wide gaps or protrusions that could serve as footholds or handholds, and it must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Other Pool Safety Regulations

To pass a final inspection and receive a certificate of completion for a residential swimming pool in South Carolina, at least one of the following safety features must be in place:

• Fence Requirements: Fences should be at least 48 inches tall with no more than 2 inches between the bottom and the ground to prevent easy access.
• Exit Alarms: All doors and windows providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with an exit alarm with a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dB A at 10 feet.
• Self-Closing Devices: All doors providing direct access from the home to the pool must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor.
• Pool Isolation: The pool must be isolated from access from the home by an enclosure that meets the pool barrier requirements.
• Safety Pool Cover: The pool must be equipped with an approved safety pool cover.

Considering these requirements, it may be wise to install a secondary barrier within your yard, even if you have a privacy fence. This is especially important if you have pets or small children. Taking additional precautions will further ensure the safety of your family.

Other Safety Measures to Consider

Although a fence is an excellent start, you must take further precautions to protect your children. Here are a few quick tips:

• Swimming Lessons: Water safety classes can cut the incidence of unintentional child drowning by 88%. Swimming lessons are beneficial for children as young as one year old. When a young child feels at ease in the water and learns how to swim safely, it can help prevent accidental drowning.
• Get a Pool Cover:  If your children can walk across the pool without falling in, it could save their lives.
• Don’t Allow Access Without Supervision:  When your child is in or near a pool or any body of water, you must provide constant, concentrated monitoring.

Understanding Your Liability

It is important to understand that if you fail to observe swimming pool safety laws, you may be held liable for unintentional injury or death. Always double-check your coverage requirements with your homeowner’s insurance provider to ensure you are adequately insured. Furthermore, if your pool barrier does not satisfy safety regulations and you are selling your home, a property inspection may delay the closing process.

Top Swimming Pool Fence Options in the Columbia, SC Area

When contemplating swimming pool fence options, your major concern should be safety and security, but this does not mean you have to sacrifice the appearance of your fence. The variety of materials, designs, and colors can be overwhelming, but The Fence Company Columbia, a top-rated Columbia, SC fence company, is here to help! Let’s look at a couple of the top options in South Carolina. 

South Carolina Aluminum Pool Fences

Aluminum fences are an excellent pool fence material because of their traditional charm and simple maintenance. Although they do not aim to serve as privacy fences, they ensure safety and security. Aluminum fences’ most appealing feature is the wide variety of styles, finishes, and accessories available. This allows you to personalize your Columbia, South Carolina pool fence to accent and enhance your pool area while also increasing the value of your property and home.

Wood Pool Fences in Columbia

Wood’s natural look makes it an appealing material for a pool fence. You can stain or paint a wood fence to match any exterior color scheme. Because wood and water do not mix, you will need to seal and paint your fence regularly to preserve it from the elements and the repeated splashing from pool use. If you don’t want to perform the extra labor, wood fencing might not be the right choice for you.

Vinyl Pool Fences in Columbia, SC

Whether you have a large or small pool, vinyl fences are an affordable method of adding beauty, privacy, and security to your swimming pool and home in the Columbia area. Vinyl fences are low-maintenance, long-lasting, and resistant to cracking and fading. They come in a range of heights and colors.

Columbia, SC Chain Link Pool Fences

Chain link fences are an additional option for pool fencing in Columbia. This material is best suited for South Carolina properties that want a durable, cost-effective solution. Standard galvanized steel and PVC-coated varieties of chain-link fencing are available, and you can customize it with colored slats through the openings to create a more private fence.

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When installed by an expert Columbia, South Carolina fence company, such as The Fence Company Columbia, a pool fence can last a long time and meet all of your needs! The easiest way to find out is to do some research and then speak with our helpful team, who can make recommendations based on their experience in the Columbia, SC area.

The Fence Company Columbia Can Help with Pool Safety Fences! 

If you have a pool installed and want to ensure that your Columbia, SC pool fence meets all safety criteria, The Fence Company Columbia is here to help! We are a reputable South Carolina fence company that will ensure that you meet the necessary regulations to protect your family and pets. We can help with everything from installation to replacement for your pool fencing!

Contact our kind, experienced staff today at (803) 566-0172 or fill out our contact form online. We are available to answer any of your questions and help you with your fencing needs!