Pool Safety Fence Regulations Victoria

Ensuring the safety of your pool area in Victoria is not just a legal requirement but a crucial step in protecting lives. Unfortunately, many pool fences and barriers fail to meet the necessary standards, posing significant risks. Here’s a comprehensive look at why pool barriers fail and how you can make your pool fence compliant affordably with Climb Stop solution.

Common Reasons Pool Barriers Fail

1. Non-Self-Closing and Non-Self-Latching Gates: Gates that don’t automatically close and latch can be left open, providing unsupervised access to the pool area. This is a significant safety hazard, especially for young children.
2. Insufficient Barrier Height: Pool barriers must be at least 1200mm high. Over time, ground levels or garden beds can rise, reducing the effective height of the barrier.
3. Climbable Boundary Fences: Adjoining boundary fences with horizontal rails can be easy for children to climb over, providing a straightforward path into the pool area.
4. Windows Opening into the Pool Area: Windows that can open more than 100mm into the pool area present a risk, as children can use them to access the pool.
5. Climbable Objects Near the Pool Fence: Items like garden furniture, BBQs, pot plants, and trees placed near the pool fence can provide climbing aids, making it easier for children to scale the barrier.

Making Your Pool Barrier Compliant

To ensure your pool fence or barrier complies with Victorian regulations and safeguards your loved ones, follow these steps:

1. Maintain Gate Mechanisms: Replace, tighten, or adjust the hinges on your gates to ensure they self-close and self-latch from all points.
2. Ensure Adequate Barrier Height: Verify that your pool barrier is at least 1200mm from bottom to top. If the ground level has risen, you may need to increase the barrier height accordingly.
3. Trim Vegetation: Trim back any branches or vegetation that a child could use to climb over the pool barrier.
4. Remove Climbable Objects: Remove or shield any objects within 900mm of the pool barrier that could be used for climbing.
5. Secure Windows: Install fixed security screens on windows that open into the pool enclosure to prevent them from being opened more than 100mm.

Victorian Pool Safety Regulations

In Victoria, any swimming pool or spa capable of containing water to a depth greater than 300 mm (30 cm) must have a compliant safety barrier. This includes:

• In-ground pools and spas
• Above-ground pools and spas (including relocatable and inflatable pools)
• Indoor pools and spas
• Bathing and wading pools (capable of containing more than 300 mm of water)

Exemptions from Barrier Requirements

Barriers are not required for:

• Inflatable pools that cannot contain more than 300 mm of water.
• Small inflatable pools that do not require assembly.
• Bird baths, fountains, water supply tanks, fish ponds, dams.
• Baths used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use.
• Spas inside a building used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use.
• Pools or spas that cannot contain more than 300 mm of water.

Planning a New Pool or Spa

For new pools or spas in Victoria, the design, construction, and installation must comply with the Building Regulations 2018. Key requirements include:

• Registered Builder: Must be constructed by a registered builder or an owner-builder with the appropriate consent.
• Self-Latching and Self-Closing Gates: Pool gates must self-close and latch securely.
• Compliance with AS1926.1-2012: Safety barriers must meet this standard.
• No Direct Access: A new outdoor pool or spa must not be directly accessible from a building.

How Can We Help?

Climb Stop offers a simple, effective solution to enhance the safety of your timber pool fence. By installing Climb Stop’s 60-degree angle wedges, you create a hard-to-climb surface, making it difficult for children or pets to climb over the fence and into the pool area.

Order Climb Stop online to ensure the best protection for your family and pets. Visit our online store for more information and to make a purchase.

Remember: Safety is priceless. Ensure your pool area complies with Victorian regulations and is secure with Climb Stop.

SHOP ONLINE NOW to secure your pool area and enjoy peace of mind knowing your loved ones are protected.