Pool Access Control

Recently there was a misunderstanding between board members and the installation of a push-to-exit button to our pool gates. The buttons were installed in a location that makes it easy to reach in and push without having to use your keycard to gain entry. Obviously this is a liability issue but my question is, has anyone heard of a regulation that requires puch-to-exit buttons installed 15'from a gate? This makes no sense and I'm pretty confident the installers are pulling regulations out of their rear ends to get us to do what they want to do from an access control perspective. I've looked through the web and have found no reference to such a regulation. Though I am for the push-to-talk ext button, just better positioned, the installers would prefer to have a card scanner both for entry and exot.

I would also talk to your code department. The 15 feet may be to accommodate those in wheelchairs. The swing space and giving time to be able to wheel in.

I once got told by Lowes installers that I could not install a door with windows in my garage. The door I was replacing had them it was just old. Plus had 2 more like them. So I don't blame you for questioning the location. Just make sure to get the right resource such as codes from the county, fire department, or maybe even the manufacturer.

Sources on the net say that the controls for opening a gate (to exit an area?) should be as far from the gate as possible. This is to prevent "reach through" accidents. E.g.

"Controls should be as far away from the gate as possible to prevent the “reach-through” accidents mentioned previously... " -- http://www.worldfencenews.com/articles/UL325-psa.html

Info about the standards here, specifically UL 325:
http://www.ul325.com/

https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws--Standards/Voluntary-Standards/Topics/Garage-Door-OperatorsGate-Operators

UL 325 does not appear to set an exact distance. At least one site on the net spoke of a minimum of 10 feet between the electric gate and the controls. I think your installers counsel is reasonable enough, given what the citations above say. I realize that these electric pedestrian gates are perhaps not the same hazard as large car gates that automatically close. Sometimes regulations and standards end up being overkill for certain applications.

Good judgment to me says not to require a card for exit from the area. Fire concerns and so on. I am not sure what Fire Code says on the point.

You face a two-part job to ensure a safe exit for pool users.

1. You want the pool gate exit button next to the gate in so obvious a fashion that should someone suffer a medical emergency, lightning strike, etc....people could - without thinking - hit the button and get out OR hit the button and allow EMTs access to the pool area.

What was overlooked is the need to have your pool gate fencing modified a bit to prevent people accessing the button from outside the gate. I would never ever recommend requiring people inside the pool area to use keycard or key access as the condition for exiting. That's a literal nightmare waiting to happen and HOAs often don't consider that these Exit buttons are also access buttons for emergency professionals and should be so simple a small child can grant access.

Modify the fence by hiring a welder or work through your pool company if you have one.