Every outdoor swimming pool shall be considered to be a structure, with
the exception of children's wading pools, but including all plastic pools
or other synthetically manufactured pool constructed above ground, which constitute
a hazard whether or not filled with water, and shall be completely surrounded
at all times by a fence or wall not less than four feet in height above grade,
which may be the pool wall itself.
Every such fence or wall shall be constructed as to not have opening,
holes or gaps larger than four inches in any dimension except for doors, gates
and picket fences; in the latter case, however, the gaps between pickets shall
not exceed four inches.
All gates or doors opening through such enclosure shall be of not less
than four feet in height and shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching
device located at least four feet above the underlying ground and inaccessible
from the outside to small children. Every such gate or door shall be kept
locked at all times when the swimming pool is not in use, and any ladders
removed.
A natural barrier, hedge, pool cover or other protective device approved
by the Building Inspector may be used in lieu of a fence or wall so long as
the degree of protection afforded by the substitute device or structure is
not less than the protection afforded by the enclosure, gate and latch described
herein.