Pools and Spas
All swimming pools and spa pools on residential and some commercial properties in Victoria with a depth capable of containing 30cm (300mm) of water are required to be surrounded by a pool safety barrier. This includes bathing, wading, inflatable, above-ground and indoor pools, hot tubs and Jacuzzis capable of holding more than 30cms of water.
It is the responsibility of all owners and occupiers of a property to maintain all parts of a pool barrier and to ensure that the barrier is operating effectively all-year-round.
View Councils Swimming Pool and Spa Safety Barriers Policy.
POOL SAFETY - RECALL
Safetech Hardware conducted a voluntary recall of the striker component of the Safetech & G8Safe key lockable pool gate latches in early 2018. More specifically the latches under the recall were -
This link(PDF, 611KB) will assist you in identifying the newly designed striker which has undergone a rigorous testing process with an independent mechanical engineer and testing by a NATA accredited laboratory.
If you have a key lockable Safetech or G8safe pool gate latch, and the striker does not have the alignment marker identified in the link (above) then please contact Safetech to organise a replacement on 03 5971 0888.
Why do I need a pool fence?
Adequately fencing off your pool or spa is an essential part of safeguarding children, who can drown in as little as 5cms of water. According to the most recent Life Saving Victoria statistics, there were 47 fatal and 60 non-fatal drowning incidents in Victoria in 2013-2014.
Victorian Pool Fence Legislation
There are currently three sets of requirements for pool/spa barriers in Victoria that apply depending on when your pool or spa was constructed:
- Before 8 April 1991 — must comply with Building Regulation 5.13
- Between 8 April 1991 & 30 April 2010 - must comply with AS1926.1-1993
- Between 30 April 2010 & 30 April 2013 — must comply with AS1926.1-2007
- After 30 April 2013 - must comply with AS1926.1-2012
Below are some important points to help explain the current requirements for pool barriers. For more detailed information please download the fact sheet relevant to your pool or spa from the links at the bottom of this page.
- If a Victorian residential pool or spa has a depth of 30cm or more (300mm), it is required to be surrounded by safety barrier. This includes inflatable pools.
- All pools and spas built after 2010 require a four sided barrier (isolation fence), with no direct access from the house or any other building to the pool or spa.
- Placing a cover or lid over a swimming pool or spa is not an adequate safety measure and will be deemed “noncompliant”. A safety barrier is non-negotiable
- A pool safety fence must be a minimum of 1.2 meters high.
- Barrier gates must be self-closing and self-latching.
- It is illegal to leave a pool or spa gate propped open.
- Climbable objects such as pot plants, eskies, pool pumps and chairs must be moved away from the barrier.
- A building permit is required to install a swimming pool, spa pool and associated fence/barrier
- A swimming pool or spa must not be filled until the pool barrier is completed and approved by the Relevant Building Surveyor.
- A Swimming Pool capable of containing a water level of less than 300mm and that is emptied after each use does not require a pool barrier.
Click here for more information.