AS4 - Pool Signage

Purpose

To establish guidance for the design of signs in and around swimming pools.

General

Signs should be placed in a position where they can be seen by users before entering the water, from the pool side and within the water.

All pool signage should be installed to minimise fading or damage from bather traffic or from cleaning.

Pool Depth Marking

All depth markings should be provided in metric measurements. If used, it is desirable to provide imperial measurements in brackets next to the metric measurements.

Depth markings should be in metres, eg. 0.9m, 1.2m, 1.5m, 1.8m, 2.0m.

The depth markings should be in numerals and letters at least 100mm in height.

The number and location of depth markings will vary dependent upon the size and configuration of the pool. However there should always be depth markings at the shallow end and deep end, and additional markings along the length of the pool, as necessary to be visible from all areas inside the pool and the surrounding concourse.

Shallow Water

In shallow water - 1.2m deep or less - the words shallow water and the Shallow Water Sign should be displayed.

In water less than 1.8m for “wet-deck” pools or less than 2.0m for pools with surrounding walls greater than 380mm above the water level, Australian Standard “No Diving” signs as well as the words NO DIVING should be displayed.

Deep Water

In deep water - 1.8m deep or more - the words ‘Deep water’ and the Deep Water sign should be displayed. N.B. Additional Supervision Signage should also be displayed.

Pool Gradient

Any sharp change in gradient the words Sudden drop off and the Sudden Drop Off sign should be displayed. (Refer to Guideline on Pool Tanks)

Lifeguard Supervision

If there is no Lifeguard Supervision provided at the pool, a ‘No Lifeguard on Duty’ sign should be prominently displayed.

Pool Signage (Example Only)

Temporary Pool Signage

Temporary pool signage is recommended where there is need to advise aquatic users of the following:

1. Pool Closure or Lane Closure
2. Lane Activity (Training or Program in progress)
3. Lane Speeds

Moveable Floors Signage

Appropriate signage indicating the depth of the pool at any time should be clearly visible from all pool access points.

Depth signage should have numerals and letters at least 100mm in height.

The signage should be synchronised with the height of the floor.

Moveable floors which have the ability to slope on an angle should have adequate signage along the length of the slope to indicate the actual depth at intermediate depths of 0.3m variation. This signage is in addition to depth signs at the deep and shallow ends.

If diving is one of the activities to be accommodated in the pool, the following points should also be taken into account:

1. Electrically-operated ‘no diving’ signs should be provided in the statutory format which should be clearly visible whenever the floor is in its swimming mode and a manual backup should always be available;
2. Diving facilities should not be accessible to bathers unless the floor is at its full diving depth. Various measures are possible to ensure that this condition is observed, and the floor manufacturer should be consulted on those which are most suitable for any given location.

References

• AS 1319-1994 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment
• AS/NZS 2416.1:2010 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 Water Safety Signs and beach safety flags
• ISO 7001 Graphic Symbol – Public Information Symbols
• AS 2419 Fire Hydrant Installations
• AS 2293.3 2005 Emergency Escape Lighting and Exit Signs for Buildings
• National Construction Code of Australia 2016 (NCC)

Previous Versions

• FD3 Pool Depth Marking 1 Nov 2007 Issue 3
• FD4 Advisory Signs 1 Nov 2007 Issue 3