NC Department of Insurance
Office of the State Fire Marshal - Engineering Division
1202 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1202
919-661-5880
Pool Gate Latch Mounting Height
Code: 2002 Accessibility Code
Section: 7.9.2
Date: December 13, 2004
Question:
The Health Department will not permit pool gate latches to be mounted lower than 54 inches and
yet the maximum height permitted for mounting door hardware at an accessible height is 48
inches per 7.9.2. Is there a solution?
Answer:
Yes. It is acceptable to mount the pool gate latch at 54 inches if a side approach to the gate latch
is provided. In order to provide the side approach, the following are required:
NOTE: Photo
is noncomplying;
latch must be
accessible
from both
sides
The above solution has been reviewed with both the US Department of Justice and with Housing
and Urban Development to verify that the solution is meets the intent of the ADAAG and the
federal Fair Housing Act. It was confirmed by both agencies that it does.