Baby Guard
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do I need a pool fence?
A: 69% of all children drown while one or both parents are responsible for supervision and 77% of all children are seen five minutes or less before being found in the pool.
Q: Will my Baby Guard pool fence meet all building code?
A: Yes, Baby Guard is in constant contact with building departments and chief building inspectors, both county and city, to ensure that our safety fence meets code requirements.
Q: Why not an alarm system instead of a pool fence?
A: Alarm systems can be inadvertently deactivated and people become immune to the repetitive sound and don't react.
Q: Can my Baby Guard pool fence be taken down?
A: Yes with very little effort and in just a few minutes.
Q: How long will my Baby Guard fence last?
A: You can expect years of peace of mind from your Baby Guard pool fence.
Q: What kind of warranty comes with my Baby Guard pool fence?
A: All Baby Guard pool fences come with a lifetime warranty.
Q: Will my Baby Guard pool fence require any maintenance?
A: Our products are virtually maintenance free as they are rip proof, mildew proof, shrink proof and fade proof, however, we do recommend regular inspections.
Pool Standards:
before 1998, pool fences in Bakersfield had to be at least 54 inches tall and door alarms were not required, according to the city of Bakersfield's Building Department.
After Jan. 1, 1998, residences with swimming pools became governed by California Building Code 3109, a lengthy, dense set of regulations that covers the kinds of safety devices that are required and spells out detailed, technical specifications on their size and function.
Homeowners may choose from several products, including fences, covers and alarms, but all of them must meet the minimum safety standards of ASTM International, a nonprofit organization that certifies the safety of consumer goods.
Homeowners who choose a wall or fence must erect a barrier at least five feet tall, with vertical members too closely spaced to squeeze through and horizontal members facing the water so children can't use them as leverage to climb over. Diagonal members in chain link fences can't be more than 1.75 inches.
Access gate doors must be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism that is either on the pool side of the gate or more than 54 inches above the ground.
If you go with an alarm, it has to sound if someone exits a window or door leading to the pool, or enters the water. Where a wall of a building serves as part of the barrier to the pool, alarms must activate within seven seconds and sound continuously for a minimum of 30 seconds after a door or window is opened. Alarms must be audible throughout the house during normal household activities.
Automated and manual covers, whether net, mesh or solid, must be strong enough to withstand the weight of someone walking or falling on them without breaking.
Newer pools and spas with suction outlets to circulate water must have at least two, balanced, to prevent a small child from being sucked in and becoming trapped. Owners of older pools with single suctions must cover the outlet.
Sources: Bakersfield's Building Department, California Building Code