How To Get Reliable Automatic Pool CoversThe growing concern for pool safety is fuelled by statistics: more than 400 children under the age of 5 die in accidental pool drowning while close to 3,000 suffer injuries every year. Pool safety can be accomplished by combining basic safety equipment namely: perimeter safety fences; pool alarm systems; winter safety pool covers; and automatic pool covers. Automatic pool covers, also called power safety pool covers are motor-driven barriers that is designed to open and close over the pool area. Manual pool covers are also available, but these are mostly used for winter for long water coverage. Automatic pool covers are much easier to operate. The regulations governing safety for such facilities embodied in the US Consumer Product Safety Commission Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools do not apply for portable spas with automatic pool covers. Specifically, automatic pool covers are particularly effective in preventing accidental pool drowning. Sometimes referred to as horizontal fences, it serves to isolate the water and hides it from the interested gaze of toddlers and adventurous young children. It even serves to eliminate the need for safety alarms because there is no possible access to the pool once the cover is activated. However, automatic pool covers are required to comply with standards specified in the ASTM Standard F1349-91(2003) entitled Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) is an organization for the development of technical standards for materials, products, systems and services. It was formed in 1898 by a group of engineers and scientists initially to standardize the grade of steel used for rail construction with safety factors in mind. The scope of ASTM has expanded since then and is supplemented by more than 30,000 technical experts that represent governments, consumers and the academe in more than 100 countries. It remains the preferred standards forum for many industries in the US and the world. The ASTM standard requires three things with regard to safety: it should sustain the weight of two adults and one child at as minimum; the ability to quickly remove any water that gathers on top of the cover as very small children can drown in just inches of water; and all the labels for requirements and performance of the automatic pool cover. There are many companies willing to provide and install automatic pool covers for backyard swimming pools. The primary consideration for purchasing one is the company’s accreditation with the ASTM for standards compliance. So far, there has been no record of an accidental drowning for pools using automatic pool covers that have been properly used and installed meeting the standards of the ASTM. Moreover, the company providing the product should have a proven track record for after-sales service and maintenance protocols to ensure the proper maintenance of the automatic pool cover. Since it is a motor-driven device, periodic check-ups should be performed. As in almost anything, safety should be first. This applies especially for residential pools that are a constant potential threat for very young children. Among the most effective safety devices available to minimize accidental drowning is the automatic pool cover, and a reliable one used judiciously would reduce the statistics to a significant degree. |