Glide-Along (Sliding Door Closer), Pool Safety Requirements
GLIDE-ALONG - Patio Sliding Door Closer
Glide-Along is an inexpensive door closer that automatically closes your patio sliding door. The patented closure system needs no additional power source and has a smooth even slide along with a built-in tension controller that helps keep the om slamming. Glide-Along has an approximate 7 lb. pulling force at its widest opening. If an object is in the way, Glide-Along will simply stop against that object and will continue closing once the object is removed.
Glide-Along is easy to install to sliding doors in good operating condition and requires no special tools. The Glide-Along unit includes all the mounting accessories for 2 horizontal installations and 1 vertical installation in order to fit most door applications. Once installed, Glide-Along allows up to a 30" opening of the door and can be easily detached (and reattached) when you want your sliding door to be left open (this is important if you want to enjoy a nice summer breeze or be able to move furniture in and out, for example).
Glide-Along reduces energy costs. No matter how thermal efficient your sliding door is, a door left open loses a lot of energy. By automatically closing your patio sliding door every time, Glide-Along helps keep the heat or air-conditioning in, making your home more energy efficient. In addition, there is no recurring operating costs (such as batteries, electricity, or replacement and upkeep of any parts). As an added benefit, Glide-Along also helps keep bugs out and pets in (or out).
More IMPORTANTLY, Glide-Along helps prevent small children from wandering to outside dangers (i.e. drowning, falling, traffic, dogs, criminals, etc.) due to a sliding door left open. If the sliding door is the only barrier between your home and your pool or spa, Glide-Along can help fulfill most residential pool and spa building safety codes requiring "self-closing doors". See "BARRIER REQUIREMENTS" below.
--- THERE IS NO NOISE WHEN A CHILD IS DROWNING ---
Glide-Along, automatic sliding door
closer, helps prevent small children from wandering to outside dangers
(i.e. drowning, falling,
traffic, dogs, criminals, etc.) due to a sliding door left open.
EVEN THOUGH A PET IS SHOWN...THE PICTURE SAYS IT ALL
There are increasing numbers of State and Municipal - Pool & Spa
Building Codes being adopted requiring a self-closing,
self-latching door. Most code language is taken directly from or
written similar to the International Building Codes. A
typical (condensed) example of the safety code (pertaining to a
self-closing door) is as follows:
SECTION AG105 - BARRIER REQUIREMENTS
Section AG105.2 - Outdoor Swimming Pool (including Hot Tub or Spa)
AG105.2, 9.0 - Where a wall of a dwelling serves as part
of the barrier, one of the following conditions shall be met:
AG105.2, 9.3 - ......, such as self-closing doors with self-latching devices, which are approved by the governing body
Section AG105.3 - Indoor Swimming Pool. All walls surrounding an indoor swimming pool (includes hot tubs and spas) shall comply
with Section AG105.2, 9.0.
If your sliding door is a "barrier" between your home and your (inside or outside) pool or spa, Glide-Along can help fulfill the "self-closing door" portion of the code.
STATES REQUIRING a self-closing, self-latching door (as a means of protection):
Arizona, New York, and Oregon
MUNICIPALITIES REQUIRING a self-closing, self-latching door (as a means of protection):
(Many cities, towns, villages - check with your local code official)
WHY ARE THERE RESIDENTIAL POOL & SPA BUILDING SAFETY CODES?
* Drowning remains the second leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 14.
* Drowning, which can happen in as little as one inch of water, is usually quick and silent.
* 61% of drowning deaths occurred among children ages 4 and under. 23% of deaths were ages 5 to 9.
* Among children ages 1 to 4 years, most drownings occur in residential swimming pools.
* Most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home and had been out of sight less than five minutes.
* Most young children who drowned in pools were in the care of one or both parents at the time.
* Childhood drownings/near-drownings typically occur when a child is left unattended or during a brief lapse in supervision.
* While being distracted, parents are talking to others (38%), reading (18%), eating (17%) talking on the phone (11%).
* A child will lose consciousness two minutes after submersion, with irreversible brain damage occurring within four to six minutes
and most children are found dead after 10 minutes.
* Typical medical costs for a near-drowning victim can range from $75,000 for initial treatment to $180,000 a year for long-term care.
* In reviewed deaths where barriers were breached, 63% of victims entered through an open or unlocked (door or) gate.
Most pool-owning parents have no self-closing and self-latching gate or door.
