Gate Swing Open Degree Requirement (Pool)

Greetings. I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes! Does anyone know how many degrees a gate must swing open?

We are putting in a pool, in Southern California. I have installed a 6-foot high fence around the back yard and down the side of the house. That is where I need to replace a roughly 40" wide gate. And I already have a wood post, butted up again the house, which is where I'd like to place the hinge side of this gate.

In talking to my cities building department, they said that gate must swing outward, away from the poolside of the yard. I have a couple of objects whereby the gate will not open to 90 degrees. (Gutter down sprout, an Electrical panel, and a Cable TV Box) But I forgot to ask how far it needs to open. And I've have to get another appointment just to ask that question.

I've searched through the state and city building codes. And they all state the same security measures, (Self-closing, self-latching, swing out, no more than 2" from the ground etc.) But nothing about how far the gate must open. Right now, I'd say the gate will open about 60-70 degrees, but not fully 90 degrees.

Thanks in advance!

 

I have never seen anything that states a requirement for how far a gate/door must swing open. As long as the heights and direction are met and the doors open a "reasonable" amount that a person can pass through unobstructed you wont have any issues!

 

Would an ambulance gurney pass through the open gate?

 

A gurney, no. Only down the driveway on the other side of the house. Does that mean it won't meet code if a gurney can't go through that 40" wide gate?

 

A quick look online says that a stretcher will fit through a 24" opening.

 

I would be more concerned about EMS personnel being able to pass their equipment through the gate in case of an emergency at the pool.

 

We have a driveway that goes into the back yard where we have a detached garage. An ambulance could easily drive all the way back to the pool, which will be adjacent to the garage.

 

Just wanted to let you know that a city inspector finally responded to my email from last week. He said as long as the gate opens to 36", it'll pass inspection. I think I can swing that after doing a mock-up.

thanks all!

 

I'm not in an HOA. Can you ever get exemptions for "an undue burden" on the HO? Thanks.