As the weather heats up, so too does the excitement of being able to take a dip in the pool to cool down.
For those lucky enough to have a swimming pool at home, it’s important to understand what your obligations are in terms of pool safety.
In Victoria, all swimming pools and spas that can hold a depth of more than 300mm of water must have a compliant safety barrier which restricts access to the pool area by young children.
Barriers are required for:
- In-ground pools and spas
- Above-ground pools and spas, including relocatable and inflatable pools that can hold a depth of more than 300mm of water and require on-site assembly
- Indoor pools and spas
- Bathing and wading pools that can hold a depth of more than 300mm of water
Types of Pool Barriers
Pool fencing comes in many forms. While glass and tubular fencing are most popular, you can also utilise existing boundary fences, internal fences, buildings and gates. Whichever you choose it’s important that they comply with the following requirements.
All pool barriers must:
- Have a minimum height of 1.2 metres
- Be clear of all climbable objects
- The gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground must be less than 100mm
Pool gates:
- Must be outward opening
- Must be fitted with a self-closing and self-latching device
- Must have latch and release devices at least 1.5 metres above the ground
In December 2019, new laws to improve swimming pool and spa safety came into effect in Victoria. New registration, inspection and certification requirements for property owners were introduced as part of these laws.
To learn more about pool safety barriers and which one is best for your pool, contact the team at Lateral Building Design.
