The Laws of Pool Security in France

Everyone should be aware of the law governing pool security in France. All in-ground (enterrée) private pools in France must comply by having one of the four approved methods of security system in place. The law has been in force since 1 January 2006 and applies to both new and existing pools, whether for individual family use or shared private use, such as in a residence or gîte complex. The fine for not complying with the law is €45,000.

Above-ground or semi in-ground pools are not affected by the law and normally just rely on a security ladder or one that gets taken away when the pool is not in use.

We hope to help clarify how you can comply with this law if you already own or are considering purchasing a swimming pool in France. It’s been specifically put in place to protect children under five, but anyone with kids will understand that no security device can replace the vigilance of a responsible adult at all times.

It is also recommended to keep a pole, a lifebuoy, and a telephone near the pool so that emergency services can be alerted quickly if needed.

The law was originally passed on 1 January 2003, with compliance required from 1 January 2006. To comply with the law, the standards for pool security systems have been set by AFNOR (the Association française de normalisation, the body responsible for French safety standards) so that any method of security fitted must conform to the specifications set out in each category of security device.

The security device can be installed by the pool owner, the seller, or a professional installer. However, the seller or installer is required by law to provide the owner with a technical information note (note technique d’information) covering the characteristics, operating conditions, and maintenance requirements of the chosen device, as well as general recommendations for drowning prevention.

There are four types of approved security system:

1. Security Barriers, AFNOR standard: NF P 90-306.
2. Pool Alarms, AFNOR standard: NF P 90-307.
3. Pool Covers, AFNOR standard: NF P 90-308.
4. Pool Abris (Enclosures), AFNOR standard: NF P 90-309.

It should also be pointed out at this stage that any security device can either be self-certificated by the manufacturer, who declares that they have made the system in accordance with the AFNOR standard, or certificated by the manufacturer AND certified and tested by the LNE (Laboratoire National d’Essai). This is an AFNOR-recognised laboratory that is involved with setting out the standards for pool security systems. Any device tested by the LNE will be given its own certification number, it’s considered to be homologated and will carry the NF mark. You can check whether a product meets the relevant AFNOR standard by looking at the packaging.

Security barriers

There are dozens of types of pool security fencing now available in France. There are flexible mesh barriers, metal barriers, UPVC barriers, Perspex and transparent PVC panelled barriers and wooden fences. Although not everyone’s ideal choice, a barrier is one of the best options for pool security.

Under the AFNOR standard, a barrier must be installed so as to prevent a child under five from gaining access to the pool without the help of an adult. It must also be able to resist the actions of a child under five, particularly in respect of the locking system, which must not cause injury.

No natural boundaries can be considered as a security barrier, e.g. hedges, banks, ditches, etc.

For collective usage pools (pools used by more than one family), particularly gîtes, campsites and so on, there must be a self-closing, self-latching gate which opens outwards away from the pool. Most systems available have this type of gate as standard.

For private pools, a barrier system can be fitted with a manually operated gate, but should still have a childproof latching system.

The main advantage of a barrier is that it needs very little maintenance, so once it’s installed you can pretty much forget about it, as long as any gate fitted is tested occasionally.

Another option for a barrier is, of course, a wall. There are important parts of the standard that must be adhered to: the most important of these is that the barrier must be a minimum of 1m from the edge of a pool, and be over 1.10m high. There must be no footholds, so natural stone walls are a no-no, but a smooth rendered wall is quite acceptable.

Pool alarms

Alarms come in two main types: immersion detector or perimeter alarm. The immersion detector senses a fall into the pool and then must activate within 12 seconds. The perimeter alarm works by infrared beams, when broken, the alarm sounds. These systems, although approved, are not the best option for pool security and are best used in conjunction with another approved device.

Alarms must be installed so that children under 5 cannot activate or deactivate them, must detect the intrusion of a child under 5 and trigger an alert with a siren, and must not trigger without reason.

Under the AFNOR standard, an alarm must be installed so that all activation and deactivation controls cannot be used by a child under five. The detection system must identify any entry by a child under five and trigger an alert equipped with a siren. The alarm must not go off without good reason (known as déclenchement intempestif).

There are many downsides to using an alarm system: some alarms require wristbands or keys to be worn by swimmers, others need a code to be entered which disarms the alarm while people swim. They don’t work under a cover so need to be removed if you want to winterise your pool.

There are also some grey areas. Alarms must be tested monthly, they are susceptible to false alarms and the AFNOR standards state that a responsible adult must be able to respond to an alarm in less than three minutes. So if you’re out shopping or on holiday you can’t respond.

The principal drawback of the immersion alarm is that it’s only activated when a child falls into the water. As it takes only a very short time for a child to drown, the pool has to be near the house for the alarm to be effective.

Pool covers

As with the other options, there are lots of different security covers available, so the main thing to remember is that whichever sort of cover you choose, it must be put back on whenever your pool is left unattended. A cover which is easy to put on and take off is important, especially if you expect anyone else using the pool to put the cover on when they aren’t using it.

Under the AFNOR standard, a security cover must prevent the involuntary immersion of a child under five. It must also be able to withstand the weight of an adult crossing it without causing injury. Any cover used to secure your pool must be AFNOR approved (unless you have an alternative form of security in place).

Pool abris

An abri looks a bit like a greenhouse and they are available in many shapes and sizes, fixed or telescopic. Apart from the price (this is about the most expensive option), there are many advantages. As well as it being an approved security device, it will help heat the water in your pool, keep out debris, reduce chemical usage and evaporation, and if you heat your pool, it effectively turns it into an indoor pool you can use all year round.

Under the AFNOR standard, when closed, an abri must make the pool basin completely inaccessible to a child under five, and it must not cause injury.

The main disadvantage to fitting an abri is the cost. A low fixed abri, although cheaper, doesn’t give a lot of room underneath and some people find them claustrophobic. High abris, normally up to 3m tall, give plenty of space but also need a great deal of room to install them.

Whichever security device you choose, the investment is modest compared to the peace of mind it brings, and a fraction of the €45,000 fine for non-compliance. Pool safety is one area where it truly pays to get it right from the start.