Dog Door for Inspection???

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Kj78unlv

Member
Aug 27, 2020
19
Las Vegas
Per pool code, I have to secure my dog door to pass inspection. Anyone have suggestions or experience with this? I have no idea how to secure a dog door without making it inoperable for my dog. The dog door is installed directly into the exterior wall of our home with a vinyl door flap that is magnetic and attaches to the frame (the kind you get a PetSmart). We also have a panel we can insert into the opening to secure it but then the dogs cannot use it.

CODE LANGUAGE - 05.7.2 Option two. Self-closing and self-latching devices installed on all openings in dwelling unit that provide direct access to the pool or spa. Openings to include doors; operable windows with a sill height of 48 inches (1219 mm) or less; and pet doors allowing the passage of a sphere of 4 inches (102mm) in diameter. Exception: 1. Operable windows with a sill height less than 48 inches (1219 mm) with a manufacturer installed permanent locking or latching mechanism mounted not less than 54 inches (1372mm) from floor. 2. Self-closing, self-latching pet doors approved by the building official.

Thanks,
Kelly
 
Have had many customers have to deal with this situation and all ended up installing a code complaint fence around the pool so the dog door was not a direct access to the pool or spa. Safety for small children was the determining factor in their decisions.
 
Kj78unlv said:
I have no idea how to secure a dog door without making it inoperable for my dog
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Exactly the point. A small child could go out the same door.

If little ones and non swimmers are ZERO of the people at your house, secure plywood to the exterior into the trim of the doggy door on inspection day. Afterwards either fill the holes or replace the trim.
 
Kj78unlv said:
Per pool code, I have to secure my dog door to pass inspection. Anyone have suggestions or experience with this? I have no idea how to secure a dog door without making it inoperable for my dog. The dog door is installed directly into the exterior wall of our home with a vinyl door flap that is magnetic and attaches to the frame (the kind you get a PetSmart). We also have a panel we can insert into the opening to secure it but then the dogs cannot use it.

CODE LANGUAGE - 05.7.2 Option two. Self-closing and self-latching devices installed on all openings in dwelling unit that provide direct access to the pool or spa. Openings to include doors; operable windows with a sill height of 48 inches (1219 mm) or less; and pet doors allowing the passage of a sphere of 4 inches (102mm) in diameter. Exception: 1. Operable windows with a sill height less than 48 inches (1219 mm) with a manufacturer installed permanent locking or latching mechanism mounted not less than 54 inches (1372mm) from floor. 2. Self-closing, self-latching pet doors approved by the building official.

Thanks,
Kelly
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I would suggest a separating fence/gate access to your pool so that your dog can't have access to the pool every time they go outside.
 
Kj78unlv said:
I have to secure my dog door to pass inspection.
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We have a dog door as well and it has a plastic shutter that can be inserted into it to block it off. Why can't you close if off during inspection and later, open back up?

Don't know if we will have that issue or not but if we do, I will close it off and open up when they leave.
 
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klanel said:
We have a dog door as well and it has a plastic shutter that can be inserted into it to block it off. Why can't you close if off during inspection and later, open back up?

Don't know if we will have that issue or not but if we do, I will close it off and open up when they leave.
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That's what I was thinking also. Isn't inserting the plastic shutter considered "securing the door"?
 
Are there any kids or grandkids - or their friends - who will have access to this dog door? Do you really want the dog(s) to have free access to the pool?

Safety first - fence the pool area so neither have access to it. Even though the kids and dogs may be able to swim, without supervision neither should have any access to the pool. Many think fences are an inconvenience or don't look good - until the unthinkable happens.
 
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In my area code enforcement interpretation is that any direct access to the pool / Spa water can only be self closing self latching, they will open the access door only 4” and it must perform properly. A magnet is not considered a locking device nor is a removable slat.
 

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LuciGo said:
I would suggest a separating fence/gate access to your pool so that your dog can't have access to the pool every time they go outside.
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omg...cats crawl thru fences or over them. I think all the OP needs to do is slap that piece of wood in the dog door for the inspection and remove it next day. I certainly think yet *another* fence around the pool when your yard is already fenced is overkill... but what do I know?
 
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YippeeSkippy said:
omg...cats crawl thru fences or over them. I think all the OP needs to do is slap that piece of wood in the dog door for the inspection and remove it next day. I certainly think yet *another* fence around the pool when your yard is already fenced is overkill... but what do I know?
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Obviously, there are certain animals/pets that can get over or through a fence, but one can try and mitigate the potential as much as possible.

And if there are any kids that can crawl thru the dog door or otherwise access the pool area, a legal barrier is prudent. Apparently you've never found one of your beloved pets floating dead in the pool - God forbid a human.

Safety first.

EDITED - to add emphasis in a certain area.
 
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Let’s keep in mind why these guides are in place. I personally don’t have pets that would use a “doggy door” but I totally grasp why there’s a concern.
 
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+1.
Pets, kids and visitors. If any of the 3 aren't expert swimmers and of age to be near the pool alone, the rules are in place for a reason.
 
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aussieta said:
he made no effort to swim to the steps, i dont think he understood
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They have no clue. It took some serious work to teach my hound the stairs. He couldn't go in without a mission so he would drop a ball in the deep end, run around to the stairs, go get the ball and then back to the stairs.

He was zero problems unattended and even able to entertain himself. My little guy was only a few months old the last we swam at the old house and have since gotten a rescue that's also a question mark. I very well may be fencing the pool itself so they can roam free in the rest of the yard. Teaching them the stairs is very high on the priority list once it's in.
 
YippeeSkippy said:
What if there are no kids? Do they still need to lock the doggy door? Sometimes there are stupid rules that just beg to be ignored.
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I can't believe a MOD in a pool forum tell people to ignore law around pool safety...

back in the days for cars there was no seat belts requirement, no kid car seats etc. Safety laws evolve for the good of everyone. Coroner that recommended those new laws based those recommendations on actual accident that have happened...

Your pool safety is for your family, your visitors, your neighbours, the people that you might sell your home to some day...

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Back on the question I believe there is nothing that can be done for a dog door to meet the code so adding additional fence or removing that door is the only legal and appropriate measure to me.

My pool was build in 1994 so it was not complying to the new laws and I am doing everything to comply. Adjust fencing to be compliant, limiting windows to no open more than 10 cm ...
 
Jayphil said:
I can't believe a MOD in a pool forum tell people to ignore law around pool safety..
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She said if there were no kid or animal concerns.

My last pool we had little kids and little visiting kids concerns. It was a HUGE concern. A $8k fence for the pool only concern. But the dog was fine.

This time the kids are teens and could be lifeguards, but the new dogs might not be fine so I still have the concern.

Without either, it's not a concern.

The yard itself is fenced to code to remove the neighborhood concern.
 
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