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.
All of us, to a certain degree, have the home improvement gene. Every Spring we grab our tool belts, load them up with screws, glues, and tools and proceed on our handyman march. Our spouses cringe and hide their wallets as we head out the door for a “couple of things” at the local hardware store. No squeaky hinge or blown light bulb has a chance. I know my 9 year old son has this gene because he has taken the screw driver and over-tightened every electrical socket and light switch in the house. I can tell they are over-tightened because they all have that tell tale crack down the middle.
So what do we use? There is a product called 
