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Adhere To NSW Pool Fencing Ordinances

A few main changes have been brought by the Government of New South Wales to the legislation pertaining to pool safety compliance for backyard pools. If you’re unaware of these changes, read on…

The statute law is referred to as “The Swimming Pools Amendment Act 2012”, which takes into account all types of pools including portable and inflatable pools.

pool-fence

As per the new rule passed, it is now mandatory that every pool should be surrounded by a fence, which will –

  • Separate your pool from adjacent buildings, residential properties, and public access.

  • Function as a child-resistant barrier.

To this very day, the Government of NSW has brought out no lesser than seven different types of checklist documents for pool owners, yet those are not comprehensive, which adds to the confusion. These checklist documents depend on the following:

(1) Does your property have a waterfront entrance?

(2) What is the size of your property?

(3) When was your pool constructed?

Some exclusions may or may not be there. But, being the owner of a pool it is your responsibility to make sure that your pool adheres fully to the NSW ordinances. In case, you fail to adhere to the NSW pool regulations, a heavy fine of up to $5500 may be imposed on you.

To be precise, from 29th April 2015 pool owners require to obtain a compliance certificate without which they can’t lease or sell their property (Note: Initially the deadline was 29th April 2014, but it was extended by 12 months).

For your benefit, we present our guide here below, which will let you know what you require to know and act upon so that you can ensure that you and your pool completely adhere to the NSW pool fencing ordinances.

What are these Swimming Pool Fencing Requirements?

swimming pool enjoy

It is a prerequisite by law to have a four-sided fence all around the pool that has a water-filling capacity depth of 300mm, which includes portable and inflatable pools. Additionally, the fence requires adhering to Australian Standard (AS1926.1-2012) – Swimming Pool Safety Barriers. However, some exceptions to this still exist that include-

 (a) Backyard pools in the waterfront properties,

 (b) Backyard pools in big properties (i.e. determined as 2 hectares or more),

 (c) Backyard pools in small properties (i.e. determined as 230m2 or less),

Pools setup prior to 1st July 2010 were competent to use the walls of the property or building boundary as part of their swimming pool area safety barrier with the condition that all windows and doors must be made child- proof. Well, these exemptions might still be relevant on the condition that from the date of the original exemption – the formerly exempt properties are adhered to constantly, which can be proven. If they aren’t adhered to, the exemption will be removed and canceled forever.

Specific Swimming Pool Fencing Requirements

(a) The gap must not be greater than 100mm between the ground and the bottom of the fence.

(b) When measured from the outside of the pool through and through, the pool fence must be at least 1200mmhigh.

(c) Suppose, a boundary fence constitutes part of the pool fence –

i. It should be at least 1200mm high when measured from the outer area of the fencing particularly for pools that are setup prior to 1st September 2008.

ii. It should be at least 1800mm high when measured from the inside of the fencing area particularly for pools that are setup on or after 1st September 2008.

(d) The fencing of your pool must be maintained well and should be in a good state of repair (i.e. there shouldn’t be any gaps, holes, palings, broken rails or any other type of damage).

(e) The holes must not be greater than 13mm if pierced or mesh fencing is used.

(f) Space must be less than 100mm on all standing or near standing rails on the fence and gate.

Specific Swimming Pool Fence Gate Requirements

(a) The latch of the gate must be in a good condition and work well so that the gate is secured and cannot be opened by pulling once it is closed.

(b) Well away from the pool area, the gate must open towards the outside direction.

(c) From any position, the gate must be able to self-close and latch itself.

(d) On the inside of the fence, the release for the gate latch must be situated, which should be bordered by a 450mm guard so that it must be accessed either through a latch access point that is 1200mm well above the ground level or by reaching over the fence, or the gate latch must release 1500mm well above the ground level.

(e) The latch of the gate must be at least 150mm beneath the top of the fence or latch guard access point.

(f) The law does not permit keeping the gate open or to prop.

Specific Swimming Pool No-Climb Zone Requirements

(a) A 300mm clearance area must be maintained inside the pool’s fencing area.

(b) Shrubs, trees, barbeques, pot plants, chairs, ladders, etc. must not be within the 900mm ‘non-climbable zone’. This is to avoid a child from using it to climb over the fence. This means there shouldn’t be any type of probable footholds or handholds within this ‘non-climbable zone’.

Specific Swimming Pool Access & Residential Property Requirements

(a) Swimming pool area should be shielded well. That means the pool area must not be directly accessed either from residential properties or from the street, or public places.

(b) A boatshed, laundry, shed, garage, or any other structure that is not completely related to the pool is viewed as a separate residential property.

(c) Nonetheless, separate pergolas, cabanas (i.e. tents used for dressing) or associated structures that are solely designed to give shade and are totally connected with the swimming pool and not with the residential building are allowed within the pool area.

(d) In the same way, small structures or sheds that are designed for storing pool chemicals and equipment are allowed within the pool area.

Specific Swimming Pool Warning Signs Requirements

Important warning signs such as CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) techniques and other crucial signs must be placed within the pool area and it must be clearly readable from a 3-meter distance.

Exceptions to the Swimming Pool Requirement (Are They Still Applicable)

  • Swimming pools constructed on waterfront properties

  • Swimming pools that are set up with doors and windows as barriers prior to 1st July 2010

  • Swimming pools that are set up prior to 1st August 1990

Owners of swimming pool properties had the choice of fencing. Alternatively, they had the option to have latches on doors along with limited window openings or had the option of using one side of the wall of their residential property or other similar private construction to be a part of the barrier.

These exceptions may still be applicable if it is determined upon inspection that

(a)  Since the date of the original exemption, the access to the pool has not been changed or reconstructed. (b)  Since the date of the original exemption, the barrier of the pool has not been modified or reconstructed. (c)  The pool has been constantly maintained by adhering to the following:

  • Doors must be self-latching and open away from the pool area.

  • On every entry door into the pool area, there must be a latch on the door, which is at least 1500mm above the ground level.

  • The max limit the windows can open up is up to 100mm, or the windows must be completely covered by a mesh screen or bars. And the height from the windowsill’s lowest opening panel to the pool area must be at least 1800mm from the ground level.

  • There must not be any pet doors or other types of openings to the pool area, which is greater than 100mm

Above Ground Pools

Walls constructed on swimming pools that are above the ground are not regarded as a compliant safety barrier. Kindly Note: We have tried to furnish the most appropriate details; however, regulations may get altered. Thus, don’t completely depend only on this bit of literature; you should also check NSW Government Fair Trading for more details.

About Thermo Pools

Thermo Pools manufactures and supplies solar pool heating systems in Sydney along with providing rock-solid maintenance services and repairs. Thermo Pools is the only company that offers a full 15 years warranty against the wind including parts and labor for solar heating systems plus a warranty against Cockatoo damage.

If you want to enquire about an inverter heat pump & solar pool heating system, call us at Thermo Pools at 02 8850 4030 & Check our Google Reviews, and one of our expert and friendly teams will be happy to serve you!

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What clients say

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There was something about Sunny that made me want to both like him and trust him from the moment he turned up just one day after my making the call. The pool is big and deep and difficult to heat and I had tired of pumping water up to the roof with no results. Sunny looked down on it and declared the webbing was insufficient and it had not been plumbed properly. He then looked at the pump and diagnosed the controller as being out of order as well. He gave me a figure and looked at the doubt on my face. “If it doesn’t heat your pool, I’ll give you your money back” He was that confident. I did a bit of research, one person telling me that the inlet/oulet of the pool were configured so that whatever I put on the roof, it wouldn’t heat the pool. When I raised this with Sunny, he repeated his guarantee, with further detail that the pool would reach 26C after 5 consecutive days of sunny weather after 1st October. On the strength of that I asked him to go ahead and he was there just 2 days later, and on a weekend, busily removing the old system and replacing it with his bespoke system. He returned with a new controller and his guarantee neatly typed out on company letter head. The controller indicated a steady rise in the temperature of the pool and in the short time between installation and the end of September the pool temperature had already risen from 19 to 22. With the arrival of October and just two warm days on the long weekend the water in the pool reached the promised 26. Dealing with contractors is always a bit of a gamble, but this one paid off! I am as confident Sunny would have refunded the money had the pool not reach the prescribed temperature as he was confident that it would. “You can tear the letter up now” he quipped when I gladly informed him his prediction had come to fruition. I would, but I might hang on to it as a cute reminder there’s good people out there!
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I would like to thank Sunny for the a great installation experience. He explained what he was doing and asked for my preference - i.e. positioning of pipes, salt chlorinator cell, etc.He even fixed an issue he found under the roof tiles which could have become a major issue at a later point.His professionalism is excellent and I would recommend him to anyone.Again thanks for looking after our job.
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Based on website reviews, we contacted Sunny for advice on how to repair our filter box and equipment. Sunny was very knowledgeable and was able to solve our problem with the minimum of fuss and at a reasonable price. He communicated well and completed the job promptly. All rubbish was removed and the work site was left very clean. We highly recommend Sunny and will definitely use him again.
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Sunny is a hero. He's a swimming pool Chad.
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rod rudders
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From my first phone call to Sunny at Thermo pools I knew it was going to be a no hassle process.I was given all the options and prices. Went for solar.Great install. Sunny great at communicating and making sure you are 100% satisfied with the job. I was 105% satisfied! Great work.
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We had pool solar heating installed by Thermo Pools. They were good value, quick, reliable and efficient. The preparation and clean up was beyond my expectation. Sunny is incredibly knowledgeable and also took time to advise me on other improvements to my pool. Highly recommended!
Glenn Desertine
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As always, Sunny was accessible to troubleshoot the issue over the phone, prompt as to when he can come over to fix the issue. Our go to for anything solar heating related. Thanks again Sunny, Thermo Pools!
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We have had a long standing relationship with Sunny and Thermo Pools and we can highly recommend Sunny and his workmanship.
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Terry Byfield
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What a great team, Sunny and Kirsty. Very professional and extremely knowledgeable. The installation was completed with minimal fuss in a narrow restricted access location. He then returned a couple of weeks later to install a deflector at which time I was able to thank Sunny for the way the way our new heat pump pool heater achieved to desired high temperatures required for my hydrotherapy.Thanks again guys, I can’t recommend you more highly and have referred you to friends who have seen the work and the excellent results.John
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Easy to deal with, very knowledgeable and professional
Sunny went above and beyond, to service our solar pool heating system.
Stephen Austin
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My house needs the replacement of leaking old pool solar panels and Ascon pool highly recommended to contact Sunny from Thermo Pools. Sunny came and checked and quoted and installed new solar panels within a few weeks. Very transparent, accurate and quick!!! Additionally, Sunny is very patient and explained every details about how to use the solar pool heating system. So happy with the new solar panels and I will very highly recommend Sunny for any solar pool heating problems and issues.
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We had a fantastic experience with Sunny at Thermo Pools. During a very busy period (it became hot suddenly and our solar was busted), he came out to give us a quote within a day, provided a solution and installed it within a couple of weeks. He is so friendly and professional, and our pool temp improved very quickly. He and Kirsty provided great communication throughout the process. We won't hesitate to use Thermo Pools in the future.
The service has been amazing at Thermal Pools. I can’t recommend them enough. The whole process was attended to with 5 star service. Well done guys. So glad I chose you for our solar pool heating. Thank you 😊
Loretta Veage
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Competitive quote, prompt service, and attention to detail. Very neat job, no mess left behind. Sunny was knowledgeable and made good suggestions. We were swimming by end of next day, mid September. Highly recommend.
Con Arali
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I can’t recommend Sunny more, I called him yesterday for a solar heating quote and he turned up today, Sunny not only provided a quote with a good price but also fixed the current aged leaking solar heating at no cost. I will have him install my next solar pool heating.
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I had an excellent experience with Sunny.Very reasonable quote and prompt service and not least a sterling job done.Thermopools has my highest recommendation.Their quote to replace the solar heating was actually less than what I paid 15 years ago!,I am happy to be contacted personally
Richard Hanbury
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What a find Sunny was! We needed new pool lights and scaling taken off the pool tiles. Both tasks were approached with great problem solving and dealt with promptly. Thanks Sunny for a job well done
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Great communication and service always top notch
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Sunny was prompt, efficient and supportive in his problem solving. I would highly recommend him.
Steve Levett
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We have just had a pool renovation on our 20+ year old pool. Thermopools exceeded all expectation! Fast, friendly, reliable, professional and helpful. The before shots and after shots tell the story! (See Thermopools Facebook page, Lugarno Pool Freshen Up). Sunny, I appreciate your work ethic, advice and doing all the little things that needed doing which made the end result so fantastic. Thermopools were an absolute pleasure to work with and I can't wait for summer now!
Eileen Carter
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Very fast service and quality workmanship. Highly recommended +++
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