Your guide to pool fencing in NSW — in conversation with Mick Hornery from Building Certificates Australia.
Did you know that on average one child under five drowns each week in Australia? Hearing that really got us thinking just how important pool safety is.
1200mm internal glass pool fence. This client used bamboo as the boundary fence to reach the 1800mm height restriction.
Yep, we get it. Pool fencing regulations in NSW are strict. Without care they’ll disrupt your design intent or cause you to rethink planting palm trees poolside. But they’re there for a reason - to reduce the event of accidental drownings.
To have confidence your pool will meet the regulatory requirements, understanding the pool fencing regulations in New South Wales is crucial to your pool design project.
Cronulla Pools recently caught up with Mick Hornery, a Cronulla-based Private Certifier and the guy responsible for certifying your pool. We asked Mick to help simplify the fencing regulations for us.
CP: We know pool fencing is an important element in the design process. When should clients start thinking about pool fencing?
Straight away. A pool is never complete without a pool fence. If you start thinking about it first you’ll avoid disrupting your design down the track. If you can build in a compliant pool fence, you’ll end up with a more functional and visually appealing space.
The pool fencing regulations are tricky and have changed dramatically over the past decade. We inspect non-compliant fences daily. Clients who have spent their time on the placement and design of their pool, and haven’t considered the pool fence.
Start the pool fence conversations early in the piece to avoid problems down the track.
CP: What’s your role in the pool building process and when should clients engage a Private Certifier?
It’s important to understand the role we play as Private Certifiers. We’re engaged to ensure that the proposed development meets the requirements of the development consent and the relevant legislation at all stages of the build.
If a pool is to be determined through the complying development process then we will be engaged to assess whether the application can be complying development and then to determine the application. It’s within this process that the location of a pool barrier is determined.
Where the swimming pool must be determined as a development application, Council will be the determining authority. Once approved by Council, a construction certificate will be issued to carry out the works.
It is at this stage where compliance with the relevant conditions of consent is achieved and the location of the pool barrier further discussed. Throughout the construction of the pool, we conduct inspections confirm compliance with the consent and the relevant legislation.
CP: Ok so let’s get to the specifics. What do all pool owners and potential pool owners need to know about the NSW pool fence regulations?
A thorough understanding of the Australian Standards for swimming pool safety (AS 1926.1—2012) would be awesome. But if they want a quick recap, then these points will definitely help them to comply;
Gates shall be installed so they swing outward (away from the pool area)
Fence latches shall be installed poolside.
Gates shall be self-closing from a stationary start without the application of manual force
Fencing within the property should be 1200mm or higher
Where there are gaps between a pool fence they shall not exceed 100mm
Retaining walls, objects or level changes that would otherwise affect the height of a barrier shall not be located within 500mm of the barrier
When a boundary fence is a pool fence its height shall not be less than 1800mm
Where a barrier with a height less than 1800 mm intersects with a barrier with a height not less than 1800 mm then the non-climbable zone shall extend 900 mm beyond that intersection.
CP: Why is it important to understand pool fence regulations before building your pool?
The regulations have changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Having a good understanding of the regulations will allow for a more functional and visually appealing space. And like I said before, a pool is never complete without a pool fence!
Sometimes it’s just about knowing who you need to talk to. At Cronulla Pools we’ll put you in contact with the right people. We work closely with Building Certificates Australia to ensure compliance and get you swimming as quickly as possible.
Mick Hornery is a Private Certifier with Building Certificates Australia, a local private certifier in Cronulla and a valued partner of Cronulla Pools. Check out some of their work or get in touch here.