How Do I Make My Swimming Pool Safe?

If you happen to live in sunny Australia and you’re thinking of adding a pool to the property, there are certain safety standards that need to be met. The Swimming Pool Act of 1992 stipulates that all swimming pools and spas must meet specific requirements; covering the inner pool enclosure, the fencing, gating and exterior perimeter of the pool barrier.

Uniformed Enforcement

All states in Australia have similar policies in place and when a pool is constructed, an inspection is arranged, with affordable pool inspections in Penrith from a state-approved company. In the event the pool passes the inspection, the property owner is issued a pool compliance certificate, which is valid for 3 years. If there are some issues with the pool, the inspector will issue a non-compliance notice, which outlines the amendments that need to be made and this is valid for 12 months.

Important Aspects of Pool Safety

The following points need to be considered:

• Pool Fencing – This must be of a height according to the size of the pool and it must be in good working order with solid supports. There can be no gaps wider than 100mm and that includes between the ground and the bottom of the fence.
• Pool Gate – This must be self-closing with a latch that is at least 1500mm from the ground and the gate must automatically close from any position and cannot be propped open under any circumstances.
• Inside the Pool Area – No outdoor furniture is permitted inside the pool area and that includes the barbie; shading must be permanent and the only items allowed in the pool area are cleaning and filtration equipment. No washing lines are allowed, but a fixed slide is permitted.
• The Clear Zone – This is the area surrounding the pool barrier; simply put, nothing can be within 900mm of the fencing – trees, shrubs, rocks or furniture cannot be within the 900mm radius, as these objects could be used by a child to climb over the barrier.
• CPR – There must be a CPR sign that is clearly visible, which should be fixed to a wall and have diagrams showing how to perform CPR on a drowning person.

Once you are confident that your pool complies, search online for an approved pool certification company and book a pool inspection and if all goes well, you will be issued with a pool compliance certificate, which is transferrable and valid for 3 years.