The most important thing when it comes to installing a new pool or spa is the safety of children. A fence surrounding your pool or spa area acts as a safety barrier and is intended to stop accidental drownings, especially for young children. It is important, not only to have a safety barrier around your spa or pool, but also to make sure that it is compliant & non-faulty.
Since 2010 Victorian Laws require that all pool & spas have a permanent four-sided barrier (also known as an isolation fence) & have no direct access from a house or any other connecting building (e.g. a garage or shed).
How do I know where the fence should go?
When getting a pool, spa or safety barrier installed it is a legal requirement of the homeowner to contact a building surveyor & obtain a building permit. The building surveyor will come out to your property & help you to figure out where your fence needs to go to be safe & comply with regulations.
What if I have an above ground pool?
In Victoria the law requires all swimming pools and spas (above ground, inground & indoor) to have a safety barrier if they are capable of holding more than 300mm (30cm) of water. This includes inflatable and relocatable pools, hot tubs & jaccuzzis
What are the ‘legal requirements/regulations’ for pool & spa fencing?
Currently the laws differ based on when your pool or spa and its fence were installed, but by 2020 all pools, spas and their safety barriers will need to be comply with the following:
- Any pool or spa with a depth of 300mm (30cm) or more will require a safety barrier (including inflatable pools)
- Safety barriers are to be a minimum of 1200mm high
- Where the pool or spa safety barrier also acts as the perimeter fence, then it is required to be a minimum of 1800mm high.
- There must be no direct access to the pool or spa area via a house or any other connecting building (this includes large opening windows).
- Safety barrier gates must be self-closing & self-latching
- Materials must comply with Australian Standard (A.S 1926.1-2012) & be safety barrier compliant
- There should be no foot-holds or climbable objects within 900mm (90cm) around the outside of the barrier, this includes everything from tree branches and adjoining fences, to pool pumps and pots plants
Do I legally need to update/upgrade my pool fence?
If your fence does not comply with the newest regulations (listed above) by 2020 or your council has informed you, then you will need to get it repaired or replaced. It is the homeowners responsibility to ensure their pool or spa fence is safe and up to date.
In conclusion pool & spa fences act as important barriers to restrict the access to water by unsupervised children & legally must be maintained for the life of the pool or spa by the property owner.
Is your pool fence out of date or non-compliant? Or you don’t even have a fence yet? Give us a call or email us today & we can help.