My father-in-law raised a squirrel named Nibbles.  Once Nibbles was old enough my father in law released the squirrel into his back yard where he flourished for a few years feasting on nuts that were hand fed to him.  Then Nibbles had a lady friend that came around and started ruling the roost. She even got to the point where she would come into the porch and break into the plastic container to help herself to how ever many nuts she wanted.  Even after upgrading containers to one that had a latching mechanism, she would still figure it out.

Now this was very comical to watch and talk about, but what about if the squirrels start doing real damage that costs you money?  We run into this from time to time with our Magna Latches.  There is just something about that release knob that squirrels love to chew on.  Are they just sharpening their teeth or do they like the taste of last weekends bar-b-que?  The world may never know.  Either way there is a solution that is both effective and environmentally safe.   It’s call Scoot Squirrel.  Scoot Squirrel is just simply applied around the area of the latch and it will keep the squirrels away.  Now if you already have a damaged latch, you can purchase just the tower section ( latch body ) and replace it.  Don’t worry the keys are the same.

Transcript:

Frolicking in the family swimming pool can provide hours of fun, entertainment and exercise, but safety experts warn that pools can be hazardous, as well as enjoyable. Statistics tell us that drowning is the number two cause of accidental death nationwide, in children under the age of five.

“Studies in Australia, as well as the United States, have shown that 50% to 90% of all child drownings can be prevented by an effective fence with a working gate that self closes and self latches every time. So it is really important that a gate is working, that it is self closing, self latching, opens away from the pool and that the latch is at the required height.”

Fitting all of these requirements, the award winning Magna Latch by D & D Technologies, the world leader in pool safety gate hardware. Magnetically triggered and key lockable, the revolutionary Magna Latch is the world’s number one child safety gate latch.

“The product is easy to install because of self aligning legs and dove-tail tracking and it installs to any pool gate in minutes. It also includes vertical and horizontal adjustability which can be made during the installation or after the installation which is particularly important. The product is warranted for life. It will never chip, crack, peel or corrode, which is particularly important in pool environments. Over a million units of Magna Latch have been sold worldwide, which makes us a very popular product for both child and pool safety”.

With layers of protection achieved through products like safety gate hardware from D & D Technologies, your family can look forward to safely enjoying your swimming pool for years to come.

I am often asked if I sell a latch that will meet both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pool Code ( see my post on the new national pool code ).  The problem is because in most situations a door handle can not be higher than 48 inches to meet the ADA and the Pool Code requires the latch release mechanism to be no lower than 54 inches.  On the surface this seems like an obvious conflict until you dig a little deeper.  This blog entry deals with just the latching mechanism, not the approach or floor / ground surfaces.

The ADA breaks the access  to the latching mechanism into 2 sections, “Forward Reach” and “Side Reach”.  As you see from the illustration below, the Forward Reach shows the maximum height of 48 inches and the Side Reach shows a maximum of 54 inches.  This means pool safety gate latches such as the Magna Latch will meet the ADA and the Pool Code height requirements as long as the person in the wheel chair can reach the latch from the side at a 90 degree angle.  BUT (of course there is a but) the Magna Latch requires tight pinching / grasping in order to operate the latch so this disqualifies it (don’t be discouraged keep reading).

However, the ADA thought of this as well.  In a book put out by the United States Access Board (ABA), a Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities, there is an exception for barriers and fences protecting pools, spas and hot tubs.  In Chapter 4: Accessible Routes section 404.2.7 Door and Gate Hardware under exception number 2 it reads, “Access gates in barrier walls and fences protecting pools, spas, and hot tubs shall be permitted to have operable parts of the release of latch on self-latching devices at 54 inches (1370 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground provided the self-latching devices are not also self-locking devices and operated by means of a key, electronic opener, or integral combination lock.” ( http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/final.pdf )

I can not end this blog entry without mentioning the advisory that was at the bottom of 404.2.7 .  It states that it is best to use door hardware that can be operated with a closed fist or a loose grip because more people with disabilities can more easily use them.  Any hardware that requires simultaneous hand and finger movements require greater dexterity and are not recommended.  I agree and we need to keep working toward this goal.  Currently the best latch to keep your pool gate safe is the Magna Latch .

More Links:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• ADA Title III Regulation 28 CFR Part 36 Section 4.2.5 Forward Reach
• ADA Title III Regulation 28 CFR Part 36 Section 4.2.6 Side Reach
• United States Access Board (ABA)
• Magna Latch magnetic safety pool gate latch

The following information is from D&D Technologies and is believed to be accurate as of April 5,2008 .

Pretender Polymer products are NOT just like D&D

Some important issues to consider …

Lost Motion Technology

Pretender products lack D&D’s patented Lost Motion Technology (LMT), which is critical for child safety. That’s why there is no substitute for the Magna Latch ! LMT means the latch will trigger safely and reliably, even if the latch is in the locked position. Pretender products lack this critical feature.

Striker Body Magnet

Magnets on all of D&D’s Magna Latch products are sealed from the elements, creating a barrier from corrosion. Polymer pretenders lack D&D’s watertight seal, leaving this critical component exposed to moisture and prone to corrosion and product failure.

Durability Testing

D&D products are tested to a minimum of 75,000 cycles and as high as 400,000 cycles. Some pretender products we ( D&D ) have tested failed as low as 1,300 cycles.

Strength Testing

D&D latches test up to 170% stronger than the pretender latches. Advanced engineering and materials are designed into every D&D product.

Installation & Adjustability

D&D latches require one hole ( Lokk Latch Pro Self Locking and Lokk Latch Deluxe ) or no holes ( Z-Lokk or Lokk Latch Series 2 ) to be drilled, while pretender Lokk Latch Pro / Deluxe style latches require two holes, resulting in extra labor & costs. D&D products are highly adjustable. Some pretender products have limited or no adjustability, making Pretender installations significantly more complex and time consuming, dramatically increasing the likelihood of callbacks and your total cost of installation.

Freezing

D&D products are designed for water egress and dependable operation in all climates. Some pretender polymer products are poorly designed, so that water can accumulate and freeze, rendering the product inoperable.

Quality Materials

Guaranteed Quality

D&D products are manufactured in our own facilities with strict quality control standards. Most pretender polymer manufacturers outsource much of their manufacturing and do not have direct control of quality processes, standards & materials. ONLY D&D has the quality to offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

The following information is from a brochure from D&D Technologies called “A Blueprint for Pool Gate Safety”.

A swimming pool can be a beautiful oasis in your backyard, affording many hours of family fun, serving as a great, low-impact exercise center, and adding value to your home. Protect your investment and ensure you’ll always enjoy your pool by taking steps to make it a safe environment.

Supervision of children around water is essential, but most parents and caregivers will admit that constant, uninterrupted supervision of children is an unrealistic expectation. Toddlers’ curiosity and lack of fear can test even the best caregiver’s ability to keep up. This brochure will give you helpful safety suggestions.

In the time it takes to answer your door or phone, a child can wander to your backyard and fall into your pool. Layers of protection between your home and the water can give you those critical few seconds needed to re-establish contact when a momentary lapse in supervision occurs.

Isolation fencing, which completely separates the pool from the home, has been proven in numerous studies to be the most effective barrier to keep children away from a pool or other danger.

The Latch

The latch should offer extensive vertical and horizontal adjustment so it can be adjusted after installation if needed, due to ground shifting or children swinging on the gate.

The latch bolt should not be able to be opened using implements such as popsicle sticks, pencils, screwdrivers, etc.

The latch should not be able to be disengaged by pulling, shaking or twisting the gate.

The release knob should work independently of the latch bolt, so that if the release mechanism fails, the latch will still trigger shut.

The latch should be key lockable for added security, and should not be able to be locked in the ‘open’ position, as this could prevent safe latching.

The Fence and Gate

• Should be minimum of 48″ tall - five feet is even better! (Check with your local building department for requirements in your area)

• The latch and the hinges should be rust-free, as rust impedes closure. (Non-corrosive materials such as high-tech polymers used in D & D Technologies’ products ensure they’ll be rust-free for life)

• Must be non-climbable, with no footholds or handholds

• The gate must open away from the pool, and must be self-closing and self-latching

• Vertical bars should not permit the passage of a 4″ sphere

• Fence clearance should be no more than 4″ from the ground for a solid surface, 2″ above a non-solid surface such as gravel or grass

D & D Technologies’ Magna Latch, the World’s #1 child safety gate latch

This magnetic, self-latching gate latch and Tru-Close self-closing hinges meet or exceed all the requirements listed in this brochure. The Magna Latch comes in a longer Top Pull model to bring the latch release to the required height on a shorter fence; the Vertical Pull model is ideal for gates at least five feet tall.

The Hinges

• All hinges should be self-closing (spring loaded). Ensure both hinges carry a spring. (D & D Tru-Close hinges enclose stainless steel springs.)

• Hinges should be tension adjustable so the gate doesn’t close too slowly or too quickly. Both hinges must be adjusted to the same tension.

Safety Checklist:

• Gate opens away from the pool or other danger
• Latch release is at least 54″ above ground level (or to local requirements)
• Latch and hinges are rust-free
• Gate is self-latching
• Hinges are self-closing and easily tension-adjustable
• Both hinges carry a closing spring
• Latch cannot be locked in the ‘open’ position
• Latch cannot be opened using implements (popsicle stick, etc.)
• Gate latch cannot be shaken, jolted or bounced open
• Gate will latch from any position, including resting on the latching mechanism
• Gate complies with all local, state and federal codes and regulations

NOTE: The information provided in this brochure is supplied an expressed by D & D Technologies (USA) Inc. in the interest of public safety. Fences, gates and latches cannot substitute for adult supervision.

For more detailed recommendations, see the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov or call the CPSC @ 800.638.2772

Latches and Hinges are Critical to Safety Gates

Generally, latches mounted with the release mechanism at least 54″ above the ground level offer child-resistance for children under five years. Check with your building department for local requirements.

Isolation fencing around pools is vital. Gates with faulty or inadequate latches and hinges, or gates that have been propped open by adults or older children, present a danger to young children which can lead to accidental drowning.

Most codes require latches to be key-lockable which provides added peace of mind. Gates must open away from the hazard (pool, traffic, etc.), so any attempt by a child to use chairs or other equipment to access the latches will be foiled.

The most reliable hinges and latches will never rust or bind.

This act was signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007 and is named for the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III . At the age of 7, Virginia drowned after being trapped underwater by the suction of a drain in a spa. I am writing this article to share my professional opinion on how this law affects the fence and gate around your pool.