A safe pool,
a perfect swim

A presentation of the Lifesaving Society

Make sure that your pool is inaccessible at all times.

A child only needs a few seconds to slip away to the backyard and access the pool without anyone knowing. If a pool is inaccessible, there is no risk a child will accidentally fall into it during your absence.

Since July 1st, 2021, several changes have been made to the Regulation respecting the safety of residential swimming pools.

In response to a recommendation made by several coroners in recent years, the Regulation has been amended and will now apply to all swimming pools, regardless of their date of installation. Remember that the owners of swimming pools built before November 1st, 2010 had acquired rights. They therefore did not have to comply with the protective measures of the Regulations. Now they will have to.

Considering the costs associated with the installation of an enclosure, particularly for inground and semi-inground swimming pools, a two-year period is granted to the owners concerned to bring their layout up to standard, which must be done before September 30, 2025.

Here are the documents (in French only)on the safety of residential swimming pools from the ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation.

1. Adequately fence in your pool.

Fences and barriers are a must. They are the most important way you can limit access to your pool. In addition to keeping neighbours out, they separate the pool from the house.

Fence in your pool on all sides.

In-ground pools, semi in-ground pools and temporary pools that are less than 1.4 metres:

Fence in your pool on all sides.
Above-ground pools: Fence in the patio, deck or terrace that gives access to the pool.

Above-ground pools:

Fence in the patio, deck or terrace that gives access to the pool.

To be secure, a fence must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Have a minimum height of 1.2 m, prevent the passage of any object of 10 cm in diameter between the bars and between the ground and the bottom of the enclosure and not be designed so that they can be climbed easily.
  • Be equipped with self-closing, self-locking passive security devices on all its gates.
  • Chain link fences with a width of more than 30 mm must be slatted.
  • Have no elements that stick out or could be fastened on to, or no openwork sections that could be climbed.
  • Since July 1st, 2021, windows are authorized in a wall forming part of an enclosure if they are located at a minimum height of 3 m or if their maximum opening is at most 10 cm.

2. Install spring hinges and a latch on all fence gates.

These devices have a self-closing mechanism often composed of spring hinges and a latch.
These devices have a self-closing mechanism often composed of spring hinges and a latch.

To avoid gates being accidentally left open, install passive security devices that automatically close and lock all the gates to your fence.

3. For above-ground or semi in-ground pools choose a ladder with a self-closing gate or barrier.

Do not choose a ladder that must be removed after using the pool each time. Instead, install a ladder with a self-closing device. This type of ladder has the advantage of having no support arms or steps, meaning the pool cannot be accessed without an adult present.

A removable or foldable ladder carries a risk: forgetting to remove it after a swim. If you do choose this type of ladder, make sure that it is adequately fenced in according to provincial regulations.

4. Keep away from the pool any object that a person could climb to access the pool.

Install your filtration system or any object (staircase, rocks, flower boxes) at least one metre from the sides of the pool and regularly check that no box, toy or other object has been inadvertently placed near the pool or fence.

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