Safer Choice Standard

PEAK® ALUMINUM FENCING AQUATINE™
Review for compliance with
2017 Florida Building Code – Building and
2017 Florida Building Code – Residential
Appendix B - Interpretation of FBC and FRC Clauses
RJC No. VAN.106169.0029
page 1
APPENDIX B - INTERPRETATION OF FBC AND FRC CLAUSES
The following paragraphs describe the latch requirements for pool fences as described in the FBC
and the FRC. Included are excerpts from the FBC, the FRC and the ISPSC for reference.
Florida Building Code Clause 454.2.17.1.8:
Access gates, when provided, shall be self-closing and shall comply with the requirements of Sections
454.2.17.1.1 through 454.2.17.1.7 and shall be equipped with a self-latching locking device located
on the pool side of the gate. Where the device release is located no less than 54 inches (1372 mm)
from the bottom of the gate, the device release mechanism may be located on either side of the gate
and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap
from the outside. Gates that provide access to the swimming pool must open outward away from the
pool. The gates and barrier shall have no opening greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches
(457 mm) of the release mechanism.
Florida Building Code-Residential Clause R4501.17.1.8:
Access gates, when provided, shall be self-closing and shall comply with the requirements of Sections
R4501.17.1.1 through R4501.17.1.7 and shall be equipped with a self-latching locking device located
on the pool side of the gate. Where the device release is located no less than 54 inches (1372 mm)
from the bottom of the gate, the device release mechanism may be located on either side of the gate
and so placed that it cannot be reached by a young child over the top or through any opening or gap
from the outside. Gates that provide access to the swimming pool must open outward away from the
pool. The gates and barrier shall have no opening greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches
(457 mm) of the release mechanism.
Interpretation of above FBC and FRC clauses:
FBC Clause 454.2.17.1.8 and FRC Clause R4501.17.1.8 have been interpreted in this report to mean
that when the latch is located not less than 54” from the bottom of the gate, there is no requirement
for the latch to be 18” away from any openings greater than 0.5”. Where the latch is not less than 54"
from the bottom of the gate, the latch may be placed on either side of the gate, thereby obviating the
requirement to prevent a young child from reaching the latch through the barrier. When the latch is
located less than 54” from the bottom of the gate, it should be located 18” away from openings greater
than 0.5”. This interpretation is consistent with the language in 2018 ISPSC Clause 305.3.3.
International Swimming Pool and Spa Code Clause 305.3.3
Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches (1372 mm)
from grade, the release mechanism shall be located on the pool or spa side of the gate not less than
3 inches (76 mm) below the top of the gate, and the gate and barrier shall not have openings greater
than ½ inch (12.7 mm) within 18 inches (457 mm) of the release mechanism.