Safety around the pool
Pool laws and regulations
The Residential Swimming Pool Safety Regulation was amended in May 2021 to make the area around residential inground, aboveground, and portable pools even safer. All municipalities in Quebec are required to enforce the regulation. That’s why it’s important to apply for a permit and read up on current standards before installing a pool or building structures to prevent or facilitate access.
Pool fencing: What the law says
The regulation states that any outdoor basin of water that is deeper than 60cm must be surrounded by an enclosure that restricts access. The enclosure must be at least 1.2m in height all the way around. It may be a regulation-size fence or a wall of your home (note that there are specific rules on window height and openings), but it cannot be a hedge because a child could easily get through.
Slats must be used in chain-link fences with a mesh size greater than 3mm. In addition, any structure or fixed equipment that could be used to climb over the wall of a pool or enclosure must be installed at least 1m away from the wall. Finally, pools with a diving board must be installed in accordance with BNQ 9461-100 to prevent cervical spinal cord injuries from diving accidents. Only very large (and very deep) pools can have a diving board.
Don’t forget the gate latch
Aboveground pool owners are also required to install a self-closing gate with a self-locking latch. Whether you’re upgrading your pool or buying one for the first time, check with your municipality for the safety guidelines.
Tips for a safe pool
Children drown in private pools in Quebec every year, despite careful parental supervision. Here are some tips to avoid the unthinkable:
Children under the age of 3 or who can’t swim must wear a life jacket around a pool.
Make sure a responsible adult supervises children in the pool at all times.
Keep a life ring buoy and a pole on hand for emergencies.
Take the Lifesaving Society of Quebec’s online self-evaluation test to make sure your pool setup is safe.
Of course, if you’re installing a pool or buying a house with a pool, it’s best if everyone in the family learns how to swim.
Do residential pool alarms lower the risks?
More and more pool owners are turning to alarm systems designed specifically to make inground and aboveground pools safer.
There are two models available on the market:
1. Immersion alarm
In this system, a submerged sensor is connected to an audible alarm, which is triggered when the sensor detects a mass falling into the pool. Opt for a system that can detect a minimum weight of 20 lb. (9 kg), isn’t set off by strong winds, automatically resets itself 10 minutes after a swim, and is loud enough to be heard inside the house.
2. Wristband-type alarm
The concept is simple: This is an adjustable Velcro® wristband a child can’t remove without an adult’s help. When the wristband is submerged, it sends a signal to the base, which automatically triggers the alarm. Multiple wristbands can be connected to a single base. This system is effective as long as the wristband goes back on the child after every swim.
Important note
Having an alarm system doesn’t mean parents can let their guard down when it comes to monitoring children in and around the pool. It takes only a moment of inattention for tragedy to strike, so it’s important to keep an eye on young swimmers at all times. CAA-Quebec believes having a responsible person supervise the pool is always better than relying on a safety device that could fail or that may give pool owners a false sense of security.
Insuring your pool and equipment and any damage they cause
Your home insurance covers you against water damage caused by a pool breaking or rupturing, but not freezing or thawing. Not all pool insurance policies are the same, which is why you should talk to your insurer before installing a pool. For example, some (but not all) insurers consider an inground pool to be part of the building, and therefore included in the reconstruction cost.
For an aboveground pool, a special rider will be required to cover damage to the structure, equipment (e.g., heat pump failure), and liner. If you file a claim for your pool, the compensation paid will be based on the depreciated value, not the replacement cost. So the older the pool, the lower the payout. Be sure to do the math.
To avoid insurance claims from unhappy neighbours, regular maintenance is key.
People who swim in your pool are covered by the civil liability portion of your home insurance. Of course, the best thing is to take steps to avoid accidents in the first place, like following the safety tips.
Do you need personalized advice on your home?
Our Residential Advisory Services counsellors are there to answer your questions and support you when you need it. Ask for their advice as often as you like. It’s one of the benefits of membership.
