The installation of a swimming pool alarm has been a legal requirement since the law of January 3, 2003. To avoid a tragedy or a fine that can reach up to 45,000 euros, every owner is required to equip their pool with an alarm that complies with the standard NF P90-307.
A swimming pool alarm operates through a set of sensors that can constantly monitor the edge and the inside of the pool. As soon as an intrusion is detected, the alarm goes off to alert nearby individuals. This is a vital functionality to prevent the risk of drowning. Indeed, children under 6 years old are often the victims. The swimming pool alarm mainly comes in 2 categories:
- the perimeter alarm which detects any surrounding presence through infrared or laser terminals;
- the submerged alarm, which is akin to a probe dipped in the water to continuously analyze its movements and waves.
The advantage of a perimeter swimming pool alarm is that it can operate preventively. It alerts as soon as a person crosses the terminals. However, in terms of reliability, it cannot eliminate false alarms if the household has pets such as a cat or dog.
With a submerged swimming pool alarm, the siren is triggered in case of significant water disturbance. It should be noted that for optimal efficiency, 2 probes are necessary in a pool larger than 50 m². To avoid false alarms, and depending on the settings of the unit, there may be a certain latency time before the alarm sounds.
In conclusion, although the installation of a swimming pool alarm is mandatory, it is advisable to combine several devices to ensure safety around and in the pool. Adding a motion sensor can thus prove to be wise.