SD3 - Pre Design Phase of Aquatic Facilities

Purpose

To ensure each step of the design phases of an aquatic facility encourages collaboration between the owner, operator, designer and builder of an aquatic facility.

Pre-Design Phase of Aquatic Facilities

The owner or operator of an aquatic facility should prepare a project brief that includes the safety requirements and objectives for the project. This will enable a shared understanding of safety expectations between the owner or operator of an aquatic facility and designer.

The owner or operator of an aquatic facility should give the designer all available information relating to the site that may affect health and safety.

Designers should ask the owner or operator of the aquatic facility about the types of activities and tasks likely or intended to be carried out in the structure, including the tasks of those who maintain, repair, service or clean the structure as an integral part of its use. This includes:

• Establishing the design context in terms of the purpose of the aquatic facility, as well as the scope and complexity of the project
• Establishing the risk management context by identifying the relevant sections of the RLSSA Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations, undertaking an aquatic risk assessment and relevant legislation, codes of practice and standards that need to be considered
• Identifying the required design disciplines, skills and competencies
• Identifying the roles and responsibilities of various parties in relation to the project, and establishing collaborative relationships with owner or operator of the aquatic facility and others who influence the design outcome
• Conducting consultation and research to assist in identifying hazards, assessing and controlling risks

Information should be researched from a range of sources including but not limited to:

• WHS and building laws, technical standards and codes of practice
• The RLSSA Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations
• RLSSA Drowning and Incident Reports
• Industry statistics regarding injuries and incidents
• Hazard alerts or other reports from relevant statutory authorities, unions and employer associations, specialists, professional bodies representing designers and engineers
• Research and testing done on similar aquatic facilities

The designer and the owner or operator of an aquatic facility should ensure they reference the following:

• WHS and building laws, technical standards and codes of practice
• The RLSSA Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations
• RLSSA Drowning and Incident Reports
• Industry statistics regarding injuries and incidents
• Hazard alerts or other reports from relevant statutory authorities, unions and employer associations, specialists, professional bodies representing designers and engineers
• Research and testing done on similar aquatic facilities

References

• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice – Safe Design of Structures
• Building Code of Australia - 2006. Australian Building Code Board.