SD6 - Reviewing the Design of Aquatic Facilities

Purpose

To eliminate or minimise risks at an aquatic facility prior to construction.

Design Reviews

As the design progresses and design decisions become more fine-tuned and detailed, there are still opportunities for either eliminating or minimising risks. At various points in the design process, designers should review design solutions to confirm the effectiveness of risk controls and if necessary, redesign to minimise the risks so far as is reasonably practicable.

Wherever possible, design safety reviews should involve the people who will eventually construct the Aquatic Facility. If this is not possible, the owner or operator of an aquatic facility and designer should make every effort to include people with knowledge and experience in the construction and maintenance processes in the design safety reviews. Their expertise will assist in identifying safety issues which may have been overlooked in the design.

Health and safety aspects of the design should be reflected in the requirements of contract documents for the construction stage and assist in the selection of suitable and competent contractors for the project.

Post-Construction Review

On completion of construction, the effectiveness of safety in design should be evaluated. This will enable identification of the most effective design practices and any design innovations that could be used on other projects. The review may be carried out in a post-construction workshop attended by all relevant parties involved in the project.

Subsequent feedback from users to assist designers in improving their future designs may be provided through:

• Post occupancy evaluations for buildings
• Defect reports
• Accident investigation reports
• Information regarding modifications
• User difficulties

References

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