Tennessee Pool Emergency Phone Law

Yes — Tennessee Rule 1200-23-05 requires an emergency telephone accessible within the pool area.

Citation: Rule 1200-23-05

The Requirement

Tennessee requires an emergency telephone accessible within the pool area.

Citation: Rule 1200-23-05

What This Means for Your Property

Tennessee's requirement mirrors many neighboring states — keep the phone within the fenced pool area itself and confirm it dials out reliably.

Copper Landline Retirement Status in Tennessee

Carriers across the U.S. are retiring traditional copper landlines. If your pool emergency phone still relies on a copper line in Tennessee, that service can go dark without warning — which is why many properties are switching to cellular emergency phones.

Carrier	Status	Retirement Date
AT&T	Active retirement program	Not yet announced

Data provided by CHNLSYNC Copper Retirement Tracker .

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is an emergency phone required at pools in Tennessee?

Yes — Tennessee Rule 1200-23-05 requires an emergency telephone accessible within the pool area.

Does the Tennessee requirement apply to HOA and apartment pools?

In most cases, yes. Tennessee's pool phone requirement generally applies to any public or semi-public pool, which typically includes HOA, condo, and apartment community pools, not just commercial facilities. Confirm with your local health department if you're unsure how your specific pool is classified.

Can a cellular emergency phone satisfy this requirement in Tennessee?

Generally yes — most states, including Tennessee, don't require a traditional landline specifically. A dedicated cellular emergency phone that reliably dials emergency services without extra steps is typically an acceptable way to meet the requirement, particularly for pools that don't already have phone lines run to the deck.

Who enforces this requirement in Tennessee?

Enforcement is usually handled by the state or local health department (or a building/safety code office) as part of routine pool inspections and licensing, sometimes with extra rules added at the county level. If you're unsure which office covers your property, your local health department is the best place to start.

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Need Help With Compliance in Tennessee?

SouthEast Telephone installs and monitors cellular emergency pool phones nationwide and can help you meet Tennessee's requirements.

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Information is provided for general reference only and is not legal advice. Codes change; always verify current requirements with your state or local building or health authority before making compliance decisions.

Emergency Pool Phone Service Offer Details

Limited time offer; subject to change; available to new (no SoutheastTelephone services within past 30 days) and existing SoutheastTelephone Service customers in good standing with SoutheastTelephone Service who meet eligibility requirements. Offer subject to 36 month agreement. Taxes and fees extra in select states. Additional charge for equipment. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Paperless Billing required. Restrictions apply.

Get Help Choosing the Right Solution

Not sure which requirements apply to your pool, elevator, or fire system? Need help replacing a landline? We're here to make it easy. Our team can answer questions, review your local requirements, and recommend the best setup for your property.

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Have a question? Need support? Want to review communication requirements for your area? Send us a message, and a team member will get back to you as soon as possible.