If you have a swimming pool at your home, you will know who important pool safety is. If you have kids in your home or pets, it is all the more important to take care of pool safety. Most pool accidents involving happen at home pools. Kids from the neighborhood may sneak into your pool. If they end up in an accident, it can be disastrous. The best way of ensuring pool safety is by fencing your pool. The article tells you all you want to know about swimming pool fencing.

The law mandates it

The law in most states makes it mandatory to fence off your swimming pool. These regulations are made to ensure pool safety. Following these regulations ensure your pool is safe and you need not worry about pool accidents.

While exact regulations vary, in general, the following regulations need to be followed. They are as per the standard AS 1926.1-2012.

  • The fencing should be 1.2 meters from ground level. If it is a boundary fence, it must be 1.8 m high.
  • The space between the ground and the fence start should not be more than 100 mm.
  • The horizontal bars in the fence must be 900 m apart at a minimum.
  • The vertical bars should not have a gap of more than 100 mm.
  • If the design of the fencing incorporates holes, they must not be more than 12 mm large.
  • The fence gates should have a unidirectional closing mechanism to ensure self-closing.
  • There must be a latch to the gate. It must be self-latching in nature.
  • The gate latch must be at least 1.5 m above the ground level.
  • The gate must not open towards the pool.
  • Any window in the gate must not open more than 100 mm and must have a lock.
  • An area around the pool must be demarcated as a non-climbable zone. This must form an arc around the pool and should cover at least 900 mm. It should not contain anything that can be used as a foothold to climb over the fence.
  • A gap of 300 mm is needed between the fence and the pool.
  • It is mandatory to display a sign about CPR with instructions on its usage.

Following these regulations ensure your fencing will keep children and pets away. This will ensure safety in the pool.

Specific regulations

Apart from the norms in the standard, each state has specific regulations that need to be followed. Following are some of these norms:

  • In Victoria, pool fencing is mandatory if you have a pool that is more than 300 mm deep. Even when the pool is being constructed, there must be a temporary fence around it to prevent accidents.
  • In Queensland, once your pool is in place, you must get it inspected by the authorities. You then need to get a safety certificate. A pool without a safety certificate can make the owner land in trouble. Whenever a property is sold, leased, or rented, the certificate has to be renewed. Even otherwise, the certificate needs to be renewed every year.
  • In New South Wales, even inflatable pools need to follow safety regulations. Warning labels need to be fixed on them. Spa areas need to have fencing that is child-resistant around them. The regulations also talk about proper maintenance of the fence and gate.
  • In South Australia, the regulations state that hardcovers cannot be used as a safety barrier instead of a fence. This is applicable for spa pools that are above the ground. Approval from the local council is needed for a new pool. There are also norms defined for filtration systems.
  • In Western Australia, norms are defined for spa pools and wading pools too. Non-compliance can lead to fines. Inspection is needed with a certificate before the pool can be used.

Getting the fencing done

Now that you are aware of the regulations, you need to take care they are followed. When you work with a pool consultant or contractor, they will ensure that the norms are followed while building the fence.

Fence types

There are different types of materials that can be used to build the fence. Following are fence types based on the materials used.

  1. Mesh fencing: Mesh fencing is climb-resistant and can have automatic gates or manual gates fixed with it. It is a less expensive option and can be removed easily if you so wish. You should use aluminum if fibreglass support posts are installed. The mesh can be fixed to these posts.
  2. Aluminum fencing: One of the benefits of aluminum fencing is that you can install it yourself easily. Aluminum fences come in different colors, grades, and designs. The best part is that it doesn’t rust or crack.
  3. Steel fencing: Steel or wrought-iron fencing is the old type of fencing. It is preferred by many pool owners because it is robust. You can get it powder colored to match the pool surroundings. Though it is expensive, it is durable, which is its main advantage.
  4. Vinyl fencing: Vinyl fencing is available in the form of sections made from vinyl. It is an inexpensive form of fencing that can also look attractive. You can add an Aluminum insert in the bottom rail to give the fence stability in case your area has strong winds.
  5. Glass fencing: A fence made of glass offers complete protection. It also makes the pool area look good. The glass would be strong and would last for a long time. Maintenance is also easy. However, glass fencing would be very expensive. If aesthetic appearance is the main consideration, glass fencing would be a good option.

You must note that fencing is needed not only for in-ground pools but also for pools above the ground. Vinyl fencing is a good and inexpensive option for above the ground pools.

The article was a guide to sydney swimming pools fencing. You would have understood how to fence your pool so you can keep it safe. If you haven’t fenced off your pool, do it now to ensure safety and be relaxed.