SP4 - Pool Barriers, Fencing and Gates

Purpose

To establish guidance on the provision of barriers, fencing and gates in and around swimming pools

N.B. Some commercial or public swimming pools have different human dynamics, such as access for people with disabilities, increased gate usage, crowd behaviour and supervision, and the duplication of the requirements of this Standard may not always be appropriate. The owner or operator should ensure that the same safety principles are met or managed and documented within their risk management plan.

Definitions

Swimming Pool

A permanent or temporary excavation, structure or vessel that is capable of filling with water to the depth of 300mm or more and is sole intended or principally used for human aquatic activity.

Barrier

The assembly of components, natural or otherwise, that restricts access to the pool. The barrier includes items such as fences, posts and panels, gate units, gates and door sets, constructed or natural walls retaining or otherwise, sides of buildings, and balustrades on a balcony, where they form part of the intended barrier.

Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ)

A zone on a barrier and in the space adjacent to a barrier, running the full length of a barrier including a gate, that is intended to restrict climbing of the barrier by young children.

Barrier

A barrier should be a permanent structure designed and constructed so that it will restrict access by young children to a swimming pool.

The height of a barrier within the property shall be not less than 1200 mm on the outside of the barrier.

A barrier other than a retaining wall shall be vertical or lean away from the pool by not more than 15° and should be free of sharp edges, sharp projections, and similar hazards.

Barriers may be constructed from any durable material, provided the barrier complies with the requirements of Australian Standard. AS1926.1-2012.

All barriers when constructed should ensure that a non-climbable zone is in place in accordance with the Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012.

Gate, Gate Units and Latch Fittings

A barrier should be a permanent structure designed and constructed so that it will restrict access by young children to a swimming pool or Aquatic Facility.

Gates should:

1. Be hung so that they only swing outwards, i.e. away from the pool area.
2. Be located so that the arc of operation is clear of any building or doorway.
3. Have sufficient clearance to swing freely through the arc of operation.
4. Not exceed 100 mm at any point at the opening under a closed gate
5. Be fitted with a self-closing device (in accordance with Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012) that will close the gate from any position, with a stationary start, without the application of a manual force and operate the latch.
6. Be hung so that when a gate is closed and latched, and is lifted upwards or pulled downwards with a force of 250 N, movement of the gate does not—
   • release the latch;
   • unhinge the gate; or
   • increase the opening between the bottom of the gate and the finished ground level to more than 100 mm.
7. Have latches and hinges designed, manufactured and installed in accordance with Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012.

Child-Resistant Openable Portion of Window

Where a window opens directly into the pool area and the height from the sill of the lowest opening panel of the window to the finished ground level in the pool area is less than 1800 mm, the openable portion of the window shall comply with one of the following:

• Be totally covered by bars or a metal screen that are fixed to the building with fasteners that can only be removed by the use of a tool. The opening between bars and the horizontal dimension of openings in a metal screen shall not be greater than 100 mm.
• Be fixed to the building with fasteners that can only be removed by the use of a tool so that it will remain closed or will open to a maximum of 100 mm.

Child Resistant Doorsets

Child-resistant doorsets should only be installed for access to indoor pools and the indoor part of an indoor/outdoor pool and should comply with the following:

• Doors should be fitted with a self-closing device that will close the door from any position, with a stationary start, without the application of a manual force and operate the latch.
• The self-closing device shall be capable of complying with these requirements with the door at any position fully open to resting on the latch.
• Doors shall be fitted with a latch that complies with Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012 and which will automatically operate on the closing of the door and prevent the door from being reopened without being manually released.
• The release for the latch shall be located on the outside of the door and not less than 1500 mm above the floor.
• NCZ 1 shall apply to the outside of a door and the top of NCZ 1 shall be 1200 mm or less above the floor. See Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012 Clause 2.2.2(a).
• Perforated materials or mesh shall comply with the requirements of Australian Standard AS1926.1 Clause 2.3.2.
• Pet doors shall not be placed in a child-resistant door set.
• Doors shall not open towards the pool.

Balcony Balustrades

A balcony that protrudes into an NCZ shall be fitted with a balustrade that complies with Section 2.2 non-climbable zone of the Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012.

Above-Ground Pools

For above-ground pools that are factory fabricated and designed for assembly and installation on site, including inflatable pools, the walls of the pool shall be considered an effective barrier provided they comply with the relevant provisions of Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012 Clauses 2.1 to 2.3.

A barrier complying with Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012Clauses 2.1 to 2.4 shall be placed around permanently fixed access ladders and around a designated access point to above-ground pools with removable ladders.

Location of Safety Barriers

The location of safety barriers will be specific to each swimming pool location and the type of swimming pool and aquatic facilities. In all cases the principles described in AS AS1926.2-2012 Part 2: Location of safety barriers for swimming pools.

References

• AS AS1926.1-2012 Part 1: Safety barriers for swimming pools
• AS AS1926.2-2012 Part 2: Location of safety barriers for swimming pools