ASTM F1346-91(2018)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F1346 − 91 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Performance Specification for
Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for
Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1346; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This specification establishes requirements for safety 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
covers for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and wading pools
3.1.1 appurtenances—subordinate parts or adjunct acces-
(hereinafter referred to as pools, unless otherwise specified).
sory components to the cover such as hardware including
When correctly installed and used in accordance with the
buckles, straps, ties, springs, anchors, tracks, rollers, lifting
manufacturer’s instructions, this specification is intended to
arms, and the like.
reduce the risk of drowning by inhibiting the access of children
3.1.2 automatic cover—a cover which can be placed over
under five years of age to the water.
the water area and removed with a motorized mechanism
1.2 This specification includes performance tests to demon-
actuated by a suitable control mechanism. See also power
strate the compliance or noncompliance to requirements herein
safety cover (PSC), other cover (OC).
stated for safety covers. It also includes marking requirements
3.1.3 barrier—something that restrains or obstructs access
for all covers.
to the body of water.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.1.4 blanket—a material used for thermal insulation. See
as the standard. The values in parentheses are given for
also solar energy blanket.
information only.
3.1.5 cover—something that covers, protects or shelters, or
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
a combination thereof, a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub.
test methods section, Section 9, of this specification: This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, 3.1.6 debris cover—a cover with attendant appurtenances
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
positioned over the pool area which permits the cover to
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and prevent debris, such as foliage, dirt, windblown trash, and the
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
like from entering the pool. It is intended to be completely
regulatory limitations prior to use. removed before the entry of bathers. See also other covers
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
(OC).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.7 decks—those areas abutting a pool, spa, or hot tub that
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
are specifically constructed or installed (for example, of wood,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
concrete, brick, stone, and the like) for use by bathers for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
sitting, standing or walking and may also act as a base for
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
supports for covers.
3.1.8 dome—a semipermanent enclosure supported by
2. Referenced Documents
trusses, or positive air pressure erected over the pool area to
2.1 NFPA Document:
provide temperature and atmospheric control over the pool
National Electrical Code, Article 680-26
environment.
3.1.9 energy conservation—the reduction of heat loss from
pool water through air convection or evaporative cooling, or
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
both.
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.28 on
3.1.10 hot tub—a spa constructed of wood with sides and
Covers for Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2018. Published February 2018. Originally
bottoms formed separately; and the whole shape joined to-
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as F1346 – 91 (2010).
gether by pressure from surrounding hoops, bands or rods; as
DOI: 10.1520/F1346-91R18.
2 distinct from spa units formed of plastic, concrete, metal, or
Available from National Fire Protection Assoc., Batterymarch Park, Quincy,
MA 02269. other materials.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1346 − 91 (2018)
3.1.11 inaccessible locations—a location at least 5 ft (1.5 m) 3.1.21 waterline—the waterline shall be defined in one of
above the ground with no other access such as hand or the following ways:
footholds which would permit a child to reach the location.
3.1.22 skimmer system—the water line shall be at the
mid-point of the operating range of the skimmers.
3.1.12 manual cover—a cover which requires it to be placed
over the water area by hand. See also manual safety cover
3.1.23 overflow system—the waterline shall be at the top of
(MSC), and other covers (OC).
the overflow outlet.
3.1.13 markings—the application of numbers, letters, labels,
4. Cover Classifications and Minimum Qualification
tags, symbols or colors to provide identification and safety
Criteria
information and to expedite handling during shipment and
storage.
4.1 Power Safety Cover (PSC)—Provides a high level of
safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting their
3.1.14 manual safety cover (MSC)—a barrier which requires
access to the water.
it to be placed over the water manually. Provides a high level
4.1.1 Must satisfy 5.1 – 5.3, 6.1 – 6.5, 7.1 – 7.4, 8.1, 8.2, 8.4
of safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting their
– 8.12, 9.1 – 9.4, 10.1 – 10.4, and all subsections.
access to the water.
4.2 Manual Safety Cover (MSC)—Provides a high level of
3.1.15 other covers (OC)—includes any cover type not
safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting their
incorporated in the other two classifications; PSC, MSC. They
access to the water. May require a longer period of time to be
are not intended to serve as a barrier for children under the age
fully secured.
of five.
4.2.1 Must satisfy 5.1 – 5.3, 6.1 – 6.5, 7.1 – 7.4, 8.1, 8.2, 8.4
3.1.16 power safety cover (PSC)—a barrier which can be
– 8.12, 9.1 – 9.4, and all subsections.
placed over the water area and removed with a motorized
mechanism actuated by a suitable control mechanism. Provides 4.3 Other Covers (OC)—Includes any cover type not incor-
porated in the other two categories MSC, PSC. They are not
a high level of safety for children under the age of five by
inhibiting their access to the water. intended to serve as a barrier for children under the age of five.
Design characteristics may be hazardous when used in the
3.1.17 safety cover—a barrier (intended to be completely
presence of children under the age of five.
removed before entry of bathers), for swimming pools, spas,
4.3.1 Shall satisfy 5.1 – 5.3, 8.1 – 8.3, 8.5 – 8.12, and all
hot tubs or wading pools, attendant appurtenances and/or
subsections.
anchoring mechanisms which reduces—when properly
labeled, installed, used and maintained in accordance with the
5. Materials and Manufacture
manufacturers’ published instructions—the risk of drowning of
5.1 Only materials not known to be harmful to health,
children under five years of age, by inhibiting their access to
within the intended application, shall be used.
the contained body of water, and by providing for the removal
of any substantially hazardous level of collected surface water.
5.2 All materials and components shall be durable and
See also power safety cover (PSC), and manual safety cover
satisfactory for the intended purpose under the conditions
(MSC).
normally prevailing at the site.
3.1.18 solar energy blankets—a cover which is a floating
5.3 The cover shall be manufactured or fabricated, or both,
translucent (not transparent) heat insulating sheet
in accordance with generally accepted, good manufacturing
incorporating, for example, encapsulated air bubbles or similar
practices.
low heat transfer (floating) sheet material whose purpose is to
inhibit heat dissipation from the pool water surface through air
6. General Requirements for Safety Covers
convection or evaporative cooling. The sheet material, custom-
6.1 Installation/Use of Safety Covers—Unless installed by
arily translucent (not transparent) to permit the transfer of solar
the manufacturer, or responsible parties, or both, detailed
radiation energy directly to the pool water at all depths and
instructions for installation shall be given in a form included in
intended for day and night use, is cut to the shape of the pool
the packaging or a label, or both, attached to the cover.
and is not affixed to the pool structure. It is intended to be
6.2 Labels attached to the cover shall meet the general
completely removed before the entry of bathers.
requirements described in 8.5.1 and 8.8 – 8.8.2.
3.1.19 energy conservation blanket—a cover which is a
6.3 Markings for Safety Covers Shall Include:
floating heat insulating sheet material incorporating, for
example, a cellular foam or similar low-heat transfer material 6.3.1 the manufacturer’s name,
6.3.2 date manufactured or installed, and
whose purpose is to inhibit heat loss from the covered water,
through air convection or evaporative cooling, or both. Such 6.3.3 instructions to consumers to inspect the cover for
materials are customarily cut to the shape of the pool and are premature wear or deterioration.
intended for a night covering. The blanket is not affixed to the 6.3.4 Labels attached to covers shall meet the general
pool structure. It is intended to be completely removed before requirements described in 8.4.1, 8.7 – 8.8.1, and 8.9.
the entry of bathers.
6.4 Fastening Mechanisms or Devices—Ties, attachment
3.1.20 wading pool—a shallow pool intended for wading, points, anchors, anchorage, and controls for automatic covers
not swimming. or other means of fastening a cover shall include provisions
F1346 − 91 (2018)
such as keys, combination locks, special tools, devices, or 7.4 Opening Tests—The tests shall be conducted by the test
inaccessible locations, and the like, to inhibit children under method described in 9.4 to demonstrate that any opening in the
five years of age from removing or operating the cover. When major component or between the edge of the cover and the
subjected to the load and perimeter deflection tests described in deck surface or coping wall, or both, and the top surface of the
9.1 and 9.2, all fastening devices shall remain in their intended, pool or the top surface of the spa is sufficiently small and
secured or closed, or both, position. After the test, the intended strong to prevent the opening from being forced to a size that
performance of the device should not be impaired. will allow the test object to pass through.
6.5 Openings—The cover shall be designed in such a way
8. Minimum Label Requirements for All Covers for
that, when it is tested by the test method described in 9.4, any
Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
opening in the major component or between the edge of the
8.1 Product Label—All covers shall be labeled/marked to
cover and the deck surface or coping wall, or both, and the top
surface of the spa or pool does not allow the test object to pass identify manufacturers or other responsible parties (such as
private label distributors), or both. Labels attached to covers
through. The test object shall not gain access to the water, or be
subject to entrapment. shall meet the general requirements described in 8.5.1 and 8.8
– 8.8.2.
6.6 Seams, ties or welds in the cover shall show no signs of
damage, which will impair intended performance of the device 8.2 Warning Labels—All covers shall be required to have
when the cover is tested by the methods described in 9.1 – 9.4. attached the following warning label:
8.2.1 Signal Word—WARNING.
7. Performance Requirements for Safety Covers 8.2.2 Safety Alert Symbol—Preceding the signal word there
shall be triangle with an exclamation point inside the triangle.
7.1 Static Load—In the case of a pool with a width or
8.2.2.1 Word Message—The standard word message shall
diameter greater than 8 ft (2.4 m) from the periphery, the cover
be AVOID DROWNING RISK which shall be the first mes-
shall be able to hold a weight of 485 lb (220.0 kg) (2 adults and
sage to appear directly under the signal word.
1 child) to permit a rescue operation.
8.2.2.2 Additional Word Message Statement—Covers with
7.1.1 In the case of a pool with a width or diameter not
any of the outlined hazards in Fig. 1 shall list all applicable
greater than 8 ft (2.4 m) the cover shall withstand the weight of
warning statements on the label.
275 lb (125 kg) (weight of a child and an adult). Compliance
shall be determined by the test method described in 9.1. 8.3 Color—Non-safety cover warning label.
8.3.1 Signal Word—Black letters with orange background.
7.2 Perimeter Deflection—The cover shall be designed in
8.3.2 Safety Alert Symbol—Black triangle with orange ex-
such a way that, when it is tested by the test method described
clamation point.
in 9.2, deflection of the cover does not allow the test object to
8.3.3 Word Message—Black lettering on white background
pass between the cover and the side of the pool, or to gain
or white letters on black background.
access to the water.
8.4 Color—Safety cover warning label.
7.3 Surface Drainage—The cover shall be so constructed,
8.4.1 Colors assigned to the signal word panel may also be
or incorporate a system, or have an auxiliary system provided,
used for the message word panel provided the panel colors
that when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s
contrast with the lettering of the label. This is applicable to
instructions, shall drain substantially all standing water from
covers conforming with the PSC and MSC classifications only.
the cover within a period of 30 min after cessation of normal
rainfall. Compliance shall be determined by the test in 9.3. 8.5 Warning Label—Letter size.
“HAZARD/WARNING STATEMENT CHART”
If This Hazard Exists: Add This Warning Statement:
*Will not support weight (as defined in this specification) Nonsecured or *Stay off cover—will not support weight.
improperly secured covers
*Concealment by slipping under cover *Keep children away. Children or objects cannot be seen under cover.
*Drowning on top of cover in accumulated surface water (as defined in this *Remove Standing Water—child can drown on top of cover.
specification)
*Concealment, Entrapment—Drowni
...