What is the best safety device for a swimming pool?

Do you want to install a pool in your garden and are wondering what the law says about safety? Whether you opt for an in-ground pool, you will be required to secure it. Only above-ground, removable or inflatable pools are not affected by these measures. Be careful, this does not exempt you from being vigilant when swimming – especially when children under 5 are around the swimming !

Without further ado, discover the different protection systems that exist on the market today to secure your swimming.

Protecting your swimming pool, why is it important?

Since 2006, all owners ofin-ground swimming pools– whether for individual or collective use – have been required to be equipped with astandardized safety system. This law was put into effect for several reasons, notably to limit the risk of accidents and drowning.

Preventing the risk of drowning

If installing a swimming pool in your outdoor space contributes to bringing well-being and pleasure at home, one must not overlook the fact that water remains a dangerous element.

Without supervision, a drowning accident can happen quickly! This is in any case the finding of the NOYADES survey, carried out by Santé Publique France, which highlights a +105% increase in accidental drownings between 2015 and 2018.

To avoid such tragedies, it is important to research, before theconstruction of your swimming pool, the differentsafety systemsavailable on the market.Automatic cover, slatted coverorpool alarm… These devices will allow you to protect yourself and your loved ones!

Preventing the risk of accidents

Without thinking of the worst, the installation of authorized equipment also prevents the risk of accident and injury. Indeed, you are not safe from a swimmer falling or slipping around your pool, causing scratches, sprains or even breakage.

To limit the danger, since 2006, owners have been obliged to choose asafety devicefrom the four recommended by law, in compliance with the standards established byAfnor (French Standardization Association). And this, even if you do not have young children!

Result, whether your pool is in-ground or semi-in-ground, you will need to implement at least oneapproved safety systemfrom the following: a cover (automatic roller shutterorbar coversubject to standard NF P. 90-308), apool alarm(standard NF P. 90-307), a barrier (standard NF P. 90-306) or a pool enclosure (standard NF P. 90-307).

At Aboral Shop, three different types of devices are available. To ensure everyone's safety and to comply with the law, all our safety devices are subject to NF standards. This compliance is mandatory and must be presented in the event of an accident or inspection by the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF).

Automatic shutter, the 3 in 1 security device

To avoid any risk of drowning but also to protect children who cannot swim,swimming pool safetyhas been mandatory since 2003. Among thestandardized safety devices, the automatic coverappears to be the ideal solution.

The advantages of automatic shutters

Thispool cover,subject tostandard NF P90-308,guarantees quality, solidity, and resistance against the risks of accidents and drowning. Indeed, the safety cover has been designed so as to:

• Resist the crossing of an adult weighing 100 kg;
• Prevent immersion of a child under 5 years old;
• Block the introduction of a child from below;
• Do not injure the individuals who handle it;
• Not to be accessible and/or usable by a child.

In addition to protecting all swimmers, including young children,installing an automatic coverconsiderably increases your comfort.

First of all, by covering the surface of yourpolyester pool, you will have the opportunity to extend the swimming season thanks to water at a good temperature for more than half the year. But that's not all! Once yourshell poolis covered, you limit the deposit of external pollutants inside it. Thanks to theautomatic cover, say goodbye to insects, pollen, or leaves that spoil the quality of your water!

Easy to install, theswimming pool safety covercan be installed by yourselves, provided that safety is ensured.

The disadvantages of automatic shutters

If you are considering using anelectric roller shutter, keep in mind that it is more easily suited torectangular pools. If your pool is round or free-form, it may be worth considering another safety device.

Another drawback;automatic shuttersdo not appreciate bad weather, especially hail. Indeed, a hailstorm can cause significant impacts on the shutter slats and therefore, a malfunction of the device. In case of hail, therefore, remember to leave your shutter rolled up!

The tarpaulin with bars, for year-round protection

The advantages of the bar cover

Unlike bubble covers, whose main role is the thermal insulation of your pool,bar coversallow you to secure access to the pool. Composed of a solid aluminum or composite bar and a thick cover, thesesafety coverscompliant withstandard NF P90-308can support the weight of a 100 kg adult.

Thanks to its opacity, this cover is capable of blocking the sun's UV rays and consequently stopping the photosynthesis process which is responsible for the appearance of algae in the water. It also protects yourfiberglass shell poolfrom external pollution.

As you will have understood, the slatted cover has the double advantage of secure your pool while reducing your efforts in maintenance ! 

To ensure the safety of your pool and meet the different characteristics of your pool, Aboral Shop provides you with a wide range of bar cover. Would you like to customize the shape, dimensions or even the color of your new device? Contact our team of experts directly to create your custom bar cover.

The disadvantages of the bar tarpaulin

If bar covers are effective in reducing the risk of drowning, they may sometimes not be suitable for free-form pools. 

In terms of price, this type of cover is one of the most expensive devices for securing your pool. This is explained by its many advantages; in addition to protecting young children, thebar covermakes maintaining your pool easier and extends the swimming season by preventing heat from evaporating!

The pool alarm, the economical solution

The advantages of the pool alarm

For small budgets,the pool alarm(NF P 90-307) is your best ally! Thanks to a set of sensors that monitor your pool daily, the alarm can trigger as soon as an intrusion is detected. Designed to prevent the risk of drowning – especially for young children – pool alarms are among thesafety devicesfavored by owners ofinground pools. And the reason for this is simple: unlike shelters or covers,the pool alarmadapts to all pools. Furthermore, whether submerged or perimeter, installing a pool alarm does not detract from the aesthetic appeal of your garden and home.

Today, two types of sound alarms are available on the market:

• The immersion alarm: Thanks to a probe immersed in the water of your pool, this device is triggered as soon as abnormal movement is detected. It is important to note that this type of alarm is capable of differentiating waves caused by wind and other bad weather from those caused by a person falling in.
• The perimeter alarm: Unlikethe immersion alarm, this device alerts as soon as a child approaches the pool. Located around the pool, infrared sensors define a safety perimeter around the basin and emit an audible signal when it is crossed. The advantage ofthe perimeter alarm? It triggers before the fall occurs, thus leaving time to intervene.

Attention, forthe pool alarmto be effective, you will need to check that it is indeed active 24/7!

The disadvantages of the pool alarm

Unlike the previous safety devices presented,installing a security alarmin one's pool does not prevent swimmers from accessing it. Therefore, for safety to be ensured, a person must be constantly present near the body of water.

In general, know thatinstalling a security systemshould never replace human vigilance. It is the best way to protect your loved ones!

Want to be assisted in securing your pool? We invite you to directly contact theAboral teams. Whether for information, advice, or to create your custom cover, they will be happy to help you!