FD7 - Electrical Equipment and Features

Purpose

To provide guidelines on electrical safety considerations in the design of features around swimming pools.

Risk Management

An owner or operator of an aquatic facility must manage risks to health and safety associated with electrical risks at the aquatic facility in accordance with the Aquatic Risk Management Guidelines and AS/NZS 3000 - 2007; Wiring Rules, Standards Australia.

Scope

A reference to electrical equipment or an electrical installation is a reference to electrical equipment or an electrical installation that is under the person’s management or control.

Unsafe Electrical Equipment

An owner or operator of an aquatic facility must ensure that any unsafe electrical equipment at the workplace:

1. Is disconnected (or isolated) from its electricity supply; and
2. Once disconnected (or isolated):
   • is not reconnected until it is repaired or tested and found to be safe; or
   • is replaced or permanently removed from use.

Electrical equipment or a component of electrical equipment is unsafe if there are reasonable grounds for believing it to be unsafe.

Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment

An owner or operator of an aquatic facility must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person if the electrical equipment is supplied with electricity through an electrical socket outlet; and;

Used in an environment in which the normal use of electrical equipment exposes the equipment to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected life span, including conditions that involve exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust.

In the case of electrical equipment that is new and unused at the aquatic facility, an owner or operator of an aquatic facility must ensure that the equipment is inspected for obvious damage before being used.

Work on electrical installations and equipment requires specialist skills and should only be carried out by approved or registered employees or trades - people.

All electrical equipment and conductive material associated with pool shells and the surrounding building should be sufficiently earthed in compliance with Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 3000:2000.

The person must ensure that a record of any testing carried out under is kept until the electrical equipment is:

1. Next tested; or
2. Permanently removed from the aquatic facility or disposed of

The record of testing must specify the following:

1. The name of the person who carried out the testing;
2. The date of the testing;
3. The outcome of the testing;
4. The date on which the next testing must be carried out; and
5. May be in the form of a tag attached to the electrical equipment tested.

Use of General Purpose Outlets in Aquatic Facilities

Electrical equipment must be kept away from swimming pools.

In instances where electrical equipment is to be used near swimming pools:

1. General purpose outlets should be installed at least 1.25 metres distance from the nearest pool and at least 0.4metres above the floor level
2. Water proof covers should be provided over the general purpose outlets (GPO)
3. GPO should be connected to an earth-leakage protection device that complies with AS 3190, AS/NZS 3175 or AS/NZS 61009.1
4. Some 3 Phase outlets may not be connected to an earth leakage protection device. Outlets should not be used to power equipment when people are in the water
5. Special care should be taken when using equipment such as pumps for Inflatable and Speaker Boxes for Aqua aerobics and the like in close proximity to the edge of the pool. Consideration should be given to such precautionary methods as raising the equipment off the pool floor, covers and/or locking it into place with specially designed mounts, etc. to prevent current transfer to the water both on the concourse and in the pool

Feature Lights

Feature lights are used in planter beds/boxes, under water and behind water features e.g. water falls. In all situations special precautions are required, such as:

1. Feature lights should be of a low voltage, typically 24 volts DC or less
2. Lights in planter boxes should be insulated so that heat emissions as a result of prolonged use do not burn probing hands or fingers, or do not heat mulch or plants to the verge of ignition (flame)
3. Lights located under or behind water should have access for maintenance or repair
4. Underwater lights must also be of a low voltage

Suspended Electrical Features

Electrical features suspended from ceilings or structural framework should be secured to prevent falling.

The electrical connecting cable should be of a short length preventing entry into the water should the feature fall.

Change Rooms

All electrical installations in change rooms and toilets should comply with AS/NZS 3000 - 2000, with particular consideration given to separation from water sources such as hand basins and showers, and Earth Leakage Protection devices.

References

• AS/NZS 3000 - 2007; Wiring Rules, Standards Australia

Previous Versions

• FD16 Electrical Connections and Features Issue 2 November 2007