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Everyone in Australia deserves a swimming pool inside the home to tackle the discomfort of the harsh summer season. But at the same time, it has to be ensured that a swimming pool or any water body inside the property adheres to the safety standards set by the government. These standards, rules, regulations, etc., are mentioned in detail in Australian Pool Safety Laws, and it is expected that every property owner complies with the rules while getting the swimming pool installed.
REASONS WHY POOL FENCING INSTALLATION ARE MANDATORY IN AUSTRALIA
Government data shows that more than 300 people died due to drowning across Australia 10 to 15% of these deaths were due to drowning in the swimming pool. This is the main reason why government rules make every property owner to have a swimming pool fencing Sydney, if he has a swimming pool inside. These rules are straightforward to follow and understand, and often, it is the responsibility of the pool installation agency to follow the standards right from the first step of installation. Let us review the pool safety laws in Australia in detail here.
- The pool or spa must be registered with the local government council of your area.
- If the swimming pool is more than 30 cm deep or 300 millimetres, it must have a safety barrier in the form of pool fencing.
- This rule applies to inflatable pools also if they are 30 cm or more deep.
- The safety barrier or the pool fencing must be 1200 mm in height.
- Safety barriers around the swimming pool can be pool fencing or safety walls.
- The bottom of the swimming pool fencing in Sydney and the gate must be less than 100 millimetres off the ground.
- The vertical rails of the pool fencing must not be more than 10 millimetres wide.
- The gate should open away from the pool.
- The gate should be self-closing from any position and self-latching.
- The gate latch must be more than 1500 mm high and should be installed inside the fence.
- Any climbable object must be 900 mm away from the fencing on the exterior part.
- CPR signs must be displayed all around the swimming pool and easily noticeable.
- There should be no door access to the pool from the house.
- The windows around the pool must not open more than 100 millimetres.
- These windows should have high-quality screens and locks.
- Selling, leasing, or renting a property with a swimming pool requires a pool safety certificate every time.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING THESE RULES?
The penalties and fines for non-compliance with swimming pool safety laws differ in different states. For example – you can face the maximum penalty of $5000 for non-compliance of any of these rules related to swimming pool fencing in Sydney. This amount can be in different states, and in some areas, the maximum penalty is $15000.