Some common misconceptions about swimming pool safety Village of Chester's building inspector wants you to swim safely through summer

CHESTER — Ugh, regulations. Who doesn't hate regulations?
But maybe we should start calling them "protections," as that would better describe their purpose, especially with swimming pool regulations: they're meant to keep us and the people we love safe, well, and ready to dive another day.
Building codes are designed, usually from tragedy, to help us live more safely, says Village of Chester building inspector John Orr.
He went on to outline some of the common misconceptions regarding swimming pools:
“My pool is temporary. I will take it down at the end of the year."
New York State Code does not distinguish between “permanent” and “temporary," Orr says. Any pool that can hold 24 inches of water in depth, or more, is a pool and regulated under the New York Building Code and Village Zoning. It requires a permit before it can be installed.
“I don’t need a fence, no one will get into my pool."
Fences are required as a deterrent from an unwanted swimmer, says Orr. Every year children drown in pools unprotected by a fence and pool alarm. A pool alarm is required, and alerts home owners that someone or something has entered the pool. New York is one of very few states that require a pool alarm, he said.
Orr said state and village codes can be found at the Village of Chester’s website: villageofchesterny.com.
For more information call Orr at 469–2388 ext. 231.