ASTM F1346-91(1996)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1346 – 91 (Reapproved 1996)
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 F 1346; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.3 barrier—something that restrains or obstructs access
to the body of water.
1.1 This specification establishes requirements for safety
3.1.4 blanket—a material used for thermal insulation. See
covers for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and wading pools
also solar energy blanket.
(hereinafter referred to as pools, unless otherwise specified).
3.1.5 cover—something that covers, protects or shelters, or
When correctly installed and used in accordance with the
a combination thereof, a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub.
manufacturer’s instructions, this specification is intended to
3.1.6 debris cover—a cover with attendant appurtenances
reduce the risk of drowning by inhibiting the access of children
positioned over the pool area which permits the cover to
under five years of age to the water.
prevent debris, such as foliage, dirt, windblown trash, and the
1.2 This specification includes performance tests to demon-
like from entering the pool. It is intended to be completely
strate the compliance or noncompliance to requirements herein
removed before the entry of bathers. See also other covers
stated for safety covers. It also includes marking requirements
(OC).
for all covers.
3.1.7 decks—those areas abutting a pool, spa, or hot tub that
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
are specifically constructed or installed (for example, of wood,
as the standard. The values in parentheses are given for
concrete, brick, stone, and the like) for use by bathers for
information only.
sitting, standing or walking and may also act as a base for
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
supports for covers.
test methods section, Section 9, of this specification: This
3.1.8 dome—a semipermanent enclosure supported by
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
trusses, or positive air pressure erected over the pool area to
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
provide temperature and atmospheric control over the pool
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
environment.
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
3.1.9 energy conservation—the reduction of heat loss from
tions prior to use.
pool water through air convection or evaporative cooling, or
2. Referenced Documents both.
3.1.10 hot tub—a spa constructed of wood with sides and
2.1 NFPA Document:
bottoms formed separately; and the whole shape joined to-
National Electrical Code, Article 680-26
gether by pressure from surrounding hoops, bands or rods; as
3. Terminology
distinct from spa units formed of plastic, concrete, metal, or
other materials.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.11 inaccessible locations—a location at least 5 ft (1.5
3.1.1 appurtenances—subordinate parts or adjunct acces-
m) above the ground with no other access such as hand or
sory components to the cover such as hardware including
footholds which would permit a child to reach the location.
buckles, straps, ties, springs, anchors, tracks, rollers, lifting
3.1.12 manual cover—a cover which requires it to be placed
arms, and the like.
over the water area by hand. See also manual safety cover
3.1.2 automatic cover—a cover which can be placed over
(MSC), and other covers (OC).
the water area and removed with a motorized mechanism
3.1.13 markings—the application of numbers, letters, la-
actuated by a suitable control mechanism. See also power
bels, tags, symbols or colors to provide identification and
safety cover (PSC), other cover (OC).
safety information and to expedite handling during shipment
and storage.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-15 on
3.1.14 manual safety cover (MSC)—a barrier which re-
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.28 on
quires it to be placed over the water manually. Provides a high
Covers for Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 1991. Published December 1991.
level of safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting
Available from National Fire Protection Assoc., Batterymarch Park, Quincy,
their access to the water.
MA 02269.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 1346
3.1.15 other covers (OC)—includes any cover type not access to the water. May require a longer period of time to be
incorporated in the other two classifications; PSC, MSC. They fully secured.
are not intended to serve as a barrier for children under the age 4.2.1 Must satisfy 5.1-5.3, 6.1-6.5, 7.1-7.4, 8.1, 8.2, 8.4-
of five. 8.12, 9.1-9.4, and all subsections.
4.3 Other Covers (OC)—Includes any cover type not incor-
3.1.16 power safety cover (PSC)—a barrier which can be
placed over the water area and removed with a motorized porated in the other two categories MSC, PSC. They are not
intended to serve as a barrier for children under the age of five.
mechanism actuated by a suitable control mechanism. Provides
a high level of safety for children under the age of five by Design characteristics may be hazardous when used in the
presence of children under the age of five.
inhibiting their access to the water.
4.3.1 Shall satisfy 5.1-5.3, 8.1-8.3, 8.5-8.12, and all subsec-
3.1.17 safety cover—a barrier (intended to be completely
tions.
removed before entry of bathers), for swimming pools, spas,
hot tubs or wading pools, attendant appurtenances and/or
5. Materials and Manufacture
anchoring mechanisms which reduces—when properly la-
5.1 Only materials not known to be harmful to health,
beled, installed, used and maintained in accordance with the
within the intended application, shall be used.
manufacturers’ published instructions—the risk of drowning of
5.2 All materials and components shall be durable and
children under five years of age, by inhibiting their access to
satisfactory for the intended purpose under the conditions
the contained body of water, and by providing for the removal
normally prevailing at the site.
of any substantially hazardous level of collected surface water.
5.3 The cover shall be manufactured or fabricated, or both,
See also power safety cover (PSC), and manual safety cover
in accordance with generally accepted, good manufacturing
(MSC).
practices.
3.1.18 solar energy blankets—a cover which is a floating
translucent (not transparent) heat insulating sheet incorporat-
6. General Requirements for Safety Covers
ing, for example, encapsulated air bubbles or similar low heat
6.1 Installation/Use of safety covers—Unless installed by
transfer (floating) sheet material whose purpose is to inhibit
the manufacturer, or responsible parties, or both, detailed
heat dissipation from the pool water surface through air
instructions for installation shall be given in a form included in
convection or evaporative cooling. The sheet material, custom-
the packaging or a label, or both, attached to the cover.
arily translucent (not transparent) to permit the transfer of solar
6.2 Labels attached to the cover shall meet the general
radiation energy directly to the pool water at all depths and
requirements described in 8.5.1 and 8.8-8.8.2.
intended for day and night use, is cut to the shape of the pool
6.3 Markings for safety covers shall include:
and is not affixed to the pool structure. It is intended to be
6.3.1 the manufacturer’s name,
completely removed before the entry of bathers.
6.3.2 date manufactured or installed, and
3.1.19 energy conservation blanket—a cover which is a
6.3.3 instructions to consumers to inspect the cover for
floating heat insulating sheet material incorporating, for ex-
premature wear or deterioration.
ample, a cellular foam or similar low-heat transfer material
6.3.4 Labels attached to covers shall meet the general
whose purpose is to inhibit heat loss from the covered water,
requirements described in 8.4.1, 8.7-8.8.1, and 8.9.
through air convection or evaporative cooling, or both. Such
6.4 Fastening mechanisms or devices—Ties, attachment
materials are customarily cut to the shape of the pool and are
points, anchors, anchorage, and controls for automatic covers
intended for a night covering. The blanket is not affixed to the
or other means of fastening a cover shall include provisions
pool structure. It is intended to be completely removed before
such as keys, combination locks, special tools, devices, or
the entry of bathers.
inaccessible locations, and the like, to inhibit children under
3.1.20 wading pool—a shallow pool intended for wading,
five years of age from removing or operating the cover. When
not swimming.
subjected to the load and perimeter deflection tests described in
3.1.21 waterline—the waterline shall be defined in one of
9.1 and 9.2, all fastening devices shall remain in their intended,
the following ways:
secured or closed, or both, position. After the test, the intended
3.1.22 skimmer system—the water line shall be at the
performance of the device should not be impaired.
mid-point of the operating range of the skimmers.
6.5 Openings—The cover shall be designed in such a way
3.1.23 overflow system—the waterline shall be at the top of
that, when it is tested by the test method described in 9.4, any
the overflow outlet.
opening in the major component or between the edge of the
cover and the deck surface or coping wall, or both, and the top
4. Cover Classifications and Minimum Qualification
surface of the spa or pool does not allow the test object to pass
Criteria
through. The test object shall not gain access to the water, or be
4.1 Power Safety Cover (PSC)—Provides a high level of
subject to entrapment.
safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting their
6.6 Seams, ties or welds in the cover shall show no signs of
access to the water.
damage, which will impair intended performance of the device
4.1.1 Must satisfy 5.1-5.3, 6.1-6.5, 7.1-7.4, 8.1, 8.2, 8.4-
when the cover is tested by the methods described in 9.1-9.4.
8.12, 9.1-9.4, 10.1-10.4, and all subsections.
7. Performance Requirements for Safety Covers
4.2 Manual Safety Cover (MSC)—Provides a high level of
safety for children under the age of five by inhibiting their 7.1 Static Load—In the case of a pool with a width or
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F 1346
diameter greater than 8 ft (2.4 m) from the periphery, the cover any of the outlined hazards in Fig. 1 shall list all applicable
shall be able to hold a weight of 485 lb (220.0 kg) (2 adults and warning statements on the label.
1 child) to permit a rescue operation.
8.3 Color—Non-safety cover warning label.
7.1.1 In the case of a pool with a width or diameter not
8.3.1 Signal Word—Black letters with orange background.
greater than 8 ft (2.4 m) the cover shall withstand the weight of
8.3.2 Safety Alert Symbol—Black triangle with orange ex-
275 lb (125 kg) (weight of a child and an adult). Compliance
clamation point.
shall be determined by the test method described in 9.1.
8.3.3 Word Message—Black lettering on white background
7.2 Perimeter Deflection—The cover shall be designed in
or white letters on black background.
such a way that, when it is tested by the test method described
8.4 Color—Safety cover warning label.
in 9.2, deflection of the cover does not allow the test object to
8.4.1 Colors assigned to the signal word panel may also be
pass between the cover and the side of the pool, or to gain
used for the message word panel provided the panel colors
access to the water.
contrast with the lettering of the label. This is applicable to
7.3 Surface Drainage—The cover shall be so constructed,
covers conforming with the PSC and MSC classifications only.
or incorporate a system, or have an auxiliary system provided,
8.5 Warning Label—Letter size.
that when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruc-
8.5.1 Lettering shall be of a size that enables a person with
tions, shall drain substantially all standing water from the cover
normal vision, including corrected vision, to read the safety
within a period of 30 min after cessation of normal rainfall.
sign or label at a safe viewing distance from the hazard.
Compliance shall be determined by the test in 9.3.
Considerations should be given to environmental variables that
7.4 Opening Tests—The tests shall be conducted by the test
will affect readability.
method described in 9.4 to demonstrate that any opening in the
major component or between the edge of the cover and the 8.5.2 Signal Word—Letter height shall be at least 50 %
deck surface or coping wall, or both, and the top surface of the
greater than the selected height of the message panel wording.
pool or the top surface of the spa is sufficiently small and
8.5.3 Safety Alert Symbol—Safety alert symbol, when used
strong to prevent the opening from being forced to a size that
with the signal word shall precede the signal word. The base of
will allow the test object to pass through.
the safety alert symbol shall be on the same horizontal line as
the base of the letters of the signal word. The height of the
8. Minimum Label Requirements for All Covers for
safety alert symbol shall equal or exceed the signal word letter
Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
height.
8.1 Product Label—All covers shall be labeled/marked to
8.5.4 Word message letter height shall be as defined in Table
identify manufacturers or other responsible parties (such as
1.
private label distributors), or both. Labels attached to covers
8.6 Letter style:
shall meet the general requirements described in 8.5.1 and
8.6.1 Signal Word shall be in sans serif letters in upper case
8.8-8.8.2.
only.
8.2 Warning Labels—All covers shall be required to have
8.6.2 Message Panel shall be in sans serif letters. Letters
attached the following warning label:
may be in upper case only.
8.2.1 Signal Word—WARNING.
8.6.3 Examples of acceptable lettering styles are: medium
8.2.2 Safety Alert Symbol—Preceding the signal wo
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