ASTM F2208-02

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: F 2208 – 02
Standard Specification for
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Pool Alarms
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2208; 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.
INTRODUCTION
According to CPSC data, each year, on average, 350 children under five years of age drown in
swimming pools, with most deaths occurring in residential settings.Also, each year, on average, 2600
children under five years of age are treated in hospital emergency rooms for near drowning incidents
in swimming pools. About 42 % of the incidents require hospitalization of the child. About 79 % of
the near drowning incidents occur in a residential setting. These numbers have remained relatively
unchanged for the past several years.
1. Scope 3.1.3 Pool Perimeter—Pool alarm located such as to detect
movement at the perimeter of or above the water surface.
1.1 This standard is intended to provide performance re-
3.1.4 Personal Immersion Alarm—Pool alarm device lo-
quirements for pool alarms for residential swimming pools and
cated on the person(s).
spas.
1.2 This standard is intended to describe devices intended to
4. Performance Requirements
improve personal safety and reduce injuries or deaths.
4.1 General:
1.3 This standard covers devices that provide for rapid and
4.1.1 Alarms shall sound both at poolside and inside any
automatic detection and alarm in cases of unintentional,
adjacent residence or building of occupancy via a remote
unsupervised or accidental entry of a child one year of age or
receiver within 20 s or less when tested in accordance with
older into the water of swimming pools or spas.
Section 5.
1.4 This standard is not intended to replace other standard
4.1.2 The condition of a swimming pool alarm, either on or
safety requirements that should be in place, that is, adult
off, shall be indicated with an energized lamp or other
supervision, fences, gates, locks, and so forth.
distinctive indicator, visible from a distance of 10 ft (3.5 m) at
1.5 This standard covers four different types of alarms.
angles of 645° perpendicular to the unit, to indicate the
1.6 The detection criteria for this standard is for a child one
operability of the product.
year of age and older.
4.1.3 Pool alarms shall have a minimum sound pressure
2. Terminology rating of 85 decibels at 10 ft (3.5 m) for 3 min.
4.1.4 If the device is battery operated, there must be a low
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
battery indicator. A low battery condition is defined as an
2.1.1 pool alarm, n—a device designed to provide a rapid
inability to meet the requirements of 4.1.3.
detection and automatic alarm in incidents of accidental,
4.1.5 Pool alarms shall automatically reset.
unintentional or unsupervised entry of a child one year of age
4.2 Type A:
or older into the water of a swimming pool or spa.
4.2.1 Type A alarms are to provide for automatic sound of
3. Classification the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.1. For alarms with
variable sensitivity, the setting shall be set at the least sensitive,
3.1 Types:
according to manufacturer’s instructions.
3.1.1 Surface—Pool alarm floating on water surface.
4.2.2 Type A alarms are not to alarm when tested in
3.1.2 Subsurface—Pool alarm located below the water sur-
accordance with 5.2. For alarms with variable sensitivity, the
face.
setting shall be set at the most sensitive, according to manu-
facturer’s instructions.
4.2.3 Type A alarms are not to alarm when tested in
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F15 on
accordance with 5.3. For alarms with variable sensitivity, the
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.49 on
setting shall be set at the most sensitive, according to manu-
Swimming Pool Alarms.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2002. Published November 2002. facturer’s instructions.
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F2208–02
4.3 Type B: into the water from a height of 6 in. above the water surface.
4.3.1 Type B alarms are to provide for automatic sound of The Child Intrusion Simulator shall be dropped into the pool at
the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.1. For alarms with the farthest point from the alarm to simulate worst case
variable sensitivity, the setting shall be set at the least sensitive, conditions. This test shall be repeated two times in 10-min
according to manufacturer’s instructions. intervals. The Child Intrusion Simulator shall subsequently be
4.3.2 Type B al
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