Designation: PS 128 01

Provisional Standard Specification for

Pool Alarms1
This provisional standard is issued under the fixed designation PS 128; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption.

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, 2,600
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 PerimeterPool alarm located such as to detect

1.1 This provisional standard is intended to provide perfor-
mance requirements for pool alarms for residential swimming
pools and spas.
1.2 This provisional standard is intended to describe devices
intended to improve personal safety and reduce injuries or
deaths.
1.3 This provisional standard covers devices that provide
for rapid and automatic detection and alarm in cases of
unintentional, unsupervised or accidental entry of a child one
year of age or older into the water of swimming pools or spas.
1.4 This provisional standard is not intended to replace
other standard safety requirements that should be in place, that
is, adult supervision, fences, gates, locks, etc.
1.5 This standard covers four different types of alarms.
1.6 The detection criteria for this standard is for a child one
year of age and older.
NOTE 1Provisional standards require only subcommittee consensus
and are published for a limited time of two years.
2. Terminology
2.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2.1.1 pool alarm, na device designed to provide a rapid
detection and automatic alarm in incidents of accidental,
unintentional or unsupervised entry of a child one year of age
or older into the water of a swimming pool or spa.
3. Classification
3.1 Types:
3.1.1 SurfacePool alarm floating on water surface.
3.1.2 SubsurfacePool alarm located below the water sur-
face.
1
This provisional specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee
F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.49
on Pool Alarms.
Current edition approved May 30, 2001. Published July 2001.
movement at the perimeter of or above the water surface.
3.1.4 Personal Immersion AlarmPool Alarm device lo-
cated on the person(s).
4. Performance Requirements
4.1 General:
4.1.1 Alarms shall sound both at poolside and inside any
adjacent residence or building of occupancy via a remote
receiver within 20 s or less when tested in accordance
withSection 5.
4.1.2 The condition of a swimming pool alarm, either on or
off, shall be indicated with an energized lamp or other
distinctive indicator, visible from a distance of 10 ft (3.5 m) at
angles of 6 45 perpendicular to the unit, to indicate the
operability of the product.
4.1.3 Pool alarms shall have a minimum sound pressure
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
battery indicator. A low battery condition is defined as an
inability to meet the requirements of 4.1.3.
4.1.5 Pool alarms shall automatically reset.
4.2 Type A:
4.2.1 Type A alarms are to provide for automatic sound of
the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.1. For alarms with
variable sensitivity, the setting shall be set at the least sensitive,
according to manufacturers instructions.
4.2.2 Type A alarms are not to alarm when tested in
accordance with 5.2. For alarms with variable sensitivity, the
setting shall be set at the most sensitive, according to manu-
facturers instructions.
4.2.3 Type A alarms are not to alarm when tested in
accordance with 5.3. For alarms with variable sensitivity, the
setting shall be set at the most sensitive, according to manu-
facturers instructions.
4.3 Type B:
4.3.1 Type B alarms are to provide for automatic sound of

Copyright ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 PS 128
the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.1. For alarms with
variable sensitivity, the setting shall be set at the least sensitive,
according to manufacturers instructions.
4.3.2 Type B alarms are not to alarm when tested in
accordance with 5.2. For alarms with variable sensitivity, the
setting shall be set at the most sensitive, according to manu-
facturers instructions.
4.3.3 Type B alarms are not to alarm when tested in
accordance with 5.3. For alarms with variable sensitivity, the
setting shall be set at the most sensitive, according to manu-
facturers instructions.
4.4 Type C:
4.4.1 Type C alarms are to provide for automatic sound of
the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.4, according to
manufacturers instructions.
4.4.2 Type C alarms are not to alarm when tested in
accordance with 5.5, according to manufacturers instructions.
4.5 Type D:
4.5.1 Type D alarms are to provide for automatic sound of
the alarm when tested in accordance with 5.6, according to
manufacturers instructions.
4.5.2 Type D alarms shall have a key locking device to
prevent the removal or disabling of the device.

5. Test Procedures
5.1 The Child Intrusion Simulator (Fig. 1) weighing 18 6
0.5 lb is dropped horizontally into the water from a height of 6
in. above the water surface. The Child Intrusion Simulator shall
be dropped into the pool at the farthest point from the alarm to
simulate worse case conditions. This test shall be repeated two
times in ten-minute intervals. The Child Intrusion Simulator
weighing 18 6 0.5 lb is dropped vertically at a 45-degree angle
6 10 degrees into the water from a height of 6 in. above the
water surface. The Child Intrusion Simulator shall be dropped
into the pool at the farthest point from the alarm to simulate
worse case conditions. This test shall be repeated two times in
10 min intervals. The Child Intrusion Simulator shall subse-
quently be dropped into the pool at a second but similar
location that would also simulate worse case conditions. Both
the horizontal and vertical test shall be repeated two times in 10
min intervals. (There is a total of four drops for each test
location).
NOTE 2All testing shall be done in a standard 16 by 32 ft rectangular
swimming pool with a maximum depth varying between 6 and 8 ft. (See
Fig. 2)
5.2 A regulation size basketball is dropped into the water
from a height of 6 in. above the water surface and at a distance
of 36 6 1 in from the pool alarm. This test is repeated three
times at 10-min intervals.
5.3 A simulated wind test is generated to impact the pool
alarm and the pool surface. Using the test pool model (16 by 32
ft) and a 15 in diameter fan, generate wind from one end of the
pool creating a wind velocity of 15 mph on the pool surface
within 24 in of the pool wall registered by a wind anemometer
(See Fig. 2). Locate another 15 in diameter fan by the alarm
location on the side of the pool creating a wind velocity of 15
mph on the pool surface within 24 in of the pool wall and at the
pool alarm, registered by a wind anemometer (See Fig. 2).
FIG. 1 Child Intrusion Simulator
Both fans must be operated at the same time for the test. See
Notes on Fig. 2. This test is completed one time.
5.4 The Child Intrusion Simulator (Fig. 1) is introduced
vertically at a 45 angle 610 and then horizontally, (crossing
the field of detection at 2 to 4 mph and removed) at the point
farthest from the sensor. This test is repeated three times.
5.5 A sheet of metal, 2 by 2 in. at 12 in. thick, is introduced
at 36 6 1 in. from the sensor into the field of detection at 6 mph
and removed. This test is repeated three times at 10-minute
intervals.
5.6 The personal alarm device is to be installed on the Child
Intrusion Simulator (Fig. 1) and the Child Intrusion Simulator
dropped into the water from a height of 6 in. above the water
surface. The test is repeated three times.
6. Quality Assurance
6.1 Manufacturers shall have a quality assurance program
providing for frequent testing of the finished product to ensure
compliance with the ASTM standard.
7. Instructions
7.1 Instructions shall be shipped with each unit and shall
address, at minimum:
7.1.1 Proper installation.

2
 PS 128

FIG. 2 Wind Test

7.1.2 Any adjustments needed. 8. Labeling

7.1.3 Size and shape limitations, if any, on pools.
8.1 Products complying with all requirements of this provi-
7.1.4 Troubleshooting instructions.
sionalstandard may be labeled or marked Meets requirements
7.1.5 Name, address, telephone number of manufacturer.
of ASTM Standard PS 128, or equivalent.
7.1.6 Power requirements or batteries.
7.1.7 Recommended distance from transmitter to receiver. 8.2 Name, model number, date of manufacture, and tele-
7.1.8 Statement This device is not intended to replace any phone number.
other safety consideration that is, adult supervision, life-
guards, fences, gates, pool covers, locks, etc. and some devices 9. Keywords
may not detect gradual entry. 9.1 alarm; childrens safety; pool alarm; spas; swimming
7.2 For pools with sides greater than 16 by 32 ft or irregular pool
shapes, manufacturers instructions shall clarify the recom-
mended number of alarms and location for alarms.

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