What is the best safety device for a swimming pool?

Are you looking to install a swimming pool in your garden and are wondering what the law says about safety ? Whether you opt for an in-ground or semi-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 pool !

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

Protecting your swimming pool, why is it important?

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

Preventing the risk of drowning

While installing a swimming pool in your outdoor space helps bring well-being and pleasure to your home, we must not ignore 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 find out, before building your swimming pool , about the different security systems available on the market. Automatic shutter, bar cover or even pool 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 required to choose a safety device from the four recommended by law, in compliance with the standards established by Afnor (French Association for Standardization) . And this is true even if you don't have young children!

As a result, whether your pool is in-ground or semi-in-ground, you will need to install at least one approved security system from among the following: a cover ( automatic shutter or bar cover subject to standard NF P. 90-308), a pool alarm (standard NF P. 90-307), a barrier (standard NF P. 90-306) or a pool shelter (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 safety has been mandatory since 2003. Among the standardized safety devices , the automatic cover appears to be the ideal solution.

The advantages of automatic shutters

This pool cover, subject to the NF P90-308 standard, guarantees quality, solidity and resistance to the risks of accidents and drowning. Indeed, the safety shutter has been designed 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 shutter significantly increases your comfort.

First of all, by covering the surface of your polyester pool , you will have the chance to extend the swimming season thanks to water at a good temperature more than half the year. But that's not all! Once your shell pool is covered, you limit the deposit of external pollution inside it. Thanks to the automatic cover , say goodbye to insects, pollen or even leaves that pollute the quality of your water!

Easy to install, the swimming pool safety shutter can very well be installed by yourselves, provided that safety is ensured.

The disadvantages of automatic shutters

If you are considering using an electric roller shutter , remember that it is more suitable for rectangular pools . If your pool is round or free-form, it may be worth considering another safety device.

Another disadvantage: automatic shutters do not appreciate bad weather, especially hail. Indeed, a hailstorm can cause significant impacts on the shutter blades and consequently, a malfunction of the device. In the event of hail, 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 to thermally insulate your pool, bar covers make it possible to secure access to the pool. Made up of a solid aluminium or composite bar and a thick tarpaulin, these safety covers comply with the NF P90-308 standard and are able to support the weight of an adult weighing 100 kg.

Thanks to its opacity, this cover is able to block the sun's UV rays and therefore stop the photosynthesis process which is responsible for the appearance of algae in the water. It also protects your polyester shell pool from external pollution.

As you will have understood, the bar cover has the double advantage of securing your pool while reducing your maintenance efforts !

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 covers . 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

While 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 due to its many advantages; in addition to protecting young children, the bar cover makes it easier to maintain your pool 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 is able to trigger as soon as an intrusion is detected. Designed to prevent the risk of drowning – especially among the youngest – pool alarms are among the preferred safety devices for owners of in-ground pools . And the reason for this is simple: unlike shelters or covers, the pool alarm adapts to all pools. In addition, whether submerged or perimeter, installing a pool alarm does not spoil the aesthetics of your garden and your 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 an abnormal movement is detected. It is important to note that this type of alarm is able to differentiate between waves caused by wind and other bad weather and those caused by a person falling.
• The perimeter alarm : Unlike the immersion alarm , this device alerts as soon as a child approaches the pool. Located around the pool, the infrared terminals mark out a safety perimeter around the pool and emit an audible signal when it is crossed. The advantage of the perimeter alarm ? It is triggered before the fall occurs, thus leaving a margin of time to intervene.

Please note, for the pool alarm to be effective, you will need to check that it is active 24/7!

The disadvantages of the pool alarm

Unlike the previous safety devices presented, installing a safety alarm in your pool does not prevent swimmers from accessing it. Therefore, to ensure safety, a person must be constantly present near the body of water.

Generally speaking, know that installing a security system should never replace human vigilance. It is the best way to protect your loved ones!

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