In Australia 13% of the Australia population live in a house with a swimming pool. Children between the ages of 1-4 are at the highest risk for drowning, predominately in backyard swimming pools, that is why it is important to know the requirements to create a safer place at your place.
According to the Queensland government requirements, children cannot be able to access the pool via any:
doors
windows
louvres
balconies
patio, deck, pergola
A pool enclosure should be fitted, and it is important that this enclosure is compliant to the requirements. *
keep hinges on gates - replace, tighten, or adjust the hinges on your gates.
ensure the pool barrier height is at least 1200mm from bottom to top.
trim back any vegetation or branches that a child could use to climb over the pool barrier.
shield or remove climbable objects within 900mm of the pool barrier.
The Australian Standard 1926.1-2007 states:
Where the height from the sill of the lowest opening panel of the window to the pool area is less than 1800 mm, the openable portion of the window shall comply with one of the following requirements:
(a) Where a height from the sill of the lowest opening panel of a window to the floor is not greater than 900 mm, then either one of the following shall apply:
(i) The openable portion of the window shall be totally covered by bars or a mesh screen that complies with the test for strength and rigidity of fence openings and the strength test for fence components . The bars or mesh screen shall be fixed to the building with fasteners that can only be removed by the use of a tool, e.g., a screwdriver or spanner.
NOTE: Covering a window with bars or a mesh screen limits egress from the building in an emergency, and rescuers from entering the building.
or (ii) Windows shall be fixed to the building with fasteners that can only be removed by the use of a tool, e.g., a screwdriver or spanner, and will only open to a maximum of 100 mm and comply with the test for strength and rigidity of fencing openings.
(b) Where a height from the sill of the lowest opening panel of a window to the floor is greater than 900 mm and less than 1200 mm, then the openable portion of the window shall comply with Item (a) above or shall be fitted with a securely fixed flyscreen. The flyscreen shall be fixed to the window or building with fasteners that can only be removed by the use of a tool, e.g., a screwdriver or spanner. (c) A window not complying with Items (a) or (b) shall be located at such a height that the distance from the floor to the sill of the lowest opening panel is 1200 mm or greater.
*These points specifically relate to the Queensland Government requirements, if you’re not in Queensland, please research your local state governments requirements to make sure your pool and area compliant.
