| Queensland Pool Fence Regulations and Pool Safety Regulations creating the New Pool Fencing Laws
Fence Height A Swimming pool fence must be a minimum 1200 mm above the ground level. The ground level or garden beds surrounding the fence may reduce this height if they have been raised or grown up over time. What can I do to comply with the Pool Fence Regulations Queensland? * Reduce the height of surrounding ground levels and garden beds * Raise the Fence height to at least 1200 mm above the ground Gates Non-compliant swimming pool gates can provide a child access to a swimming area. Common problems include:
* Gates opening inwards towards the pool area - must open outwards - have sufficiant clearance to swing freely through its arc of operation* Gates not self-closing from all positions - must close from a stationary start without the application of manual force * Gates with semi-functional or non-functional hinges or closing mechanisms that stop the gate from closing properly What can i do to comply with the Pool Fence Regulations Qld? * Adjust the gate to make it swing outwards away from the pool area * Install an approved striker or latch to make the gate self-closing * Adjust the self-closing mechanism or replace the hinges to make the gate self-closing * Tighten the hinges to ensure they are capable of holding the gate * Oil the hinges if the gate is not closing properly Fixed Climbable Objects Fixed, climbable objects can give a child access to a swimming pool area. These objects include:
* Taps, power points or light fittings on nearby walls * Branches of nearby trees or shrubs which are below the height of the swimming pool fence * Other climbable objects, such as bracing on a deck within the vicinity of the pool area What can i do to comply with the Pool Fence Regulations? * Shield any climbable objects, such as deck bracing or wall fittings, with a non-climbable material such as flat polycarbonate sheeting, vertical palings or a shield that has an angle of 60 degrees or more * Trim back any branches within 900 mm of the pool fence that are below the top of the barrier. If there are branches on an adjacent property, you may need to negotiate with your neighbour to remove them Climbable Pool Fencing The pool fence itself may be climbable and provide foot or hand holds for a child to access the swimming pool area. Examples include:
* An intersecting fence with horizontal cross rails within reach of the top of the pool fence * Lattice or another climbable material on the pool fencing * Climbable vegetation What can I do to comply with the Pool Fencing Regulations? * Fix a wedge (minimum 60 degree angle) along the horizontal rails of the barrier * Shield any lattice or other climbable material with a non-climbable material such as flat polycarbonate sheeting or vertical palings * Trim any climbable vegetation on the fence or windows that access the swimming pool area Windows A building with windows that open more than 100 mm and open directly into a pool area can provide a child with access to the pool. Installing window locks is not acceptable as they can be easily left unlocked. * Fix a rivet or screw in the tracks of the window to stop it opening more than 100 millimetres * Insert a permanent window chock to stop the window opening more than 100 millimetres * Install permanently fixed security screens on windows that open into the pool area We have included some fact sheets from the Dept of Infrastructure and the REIQ for your reference. click here
a) Capable of being filled with water to a depth of 300mm or more; andPOOL SAFETY DEFINITIONS What swimming pools are covered by the Pool Fence Regulations? The pool fence regulations apply to both indoor and outdoor swimming pools and spas on residential land. It generally requires that fencing enclose a pool to prevent unsupervised access by young children. Definition of a Swimming Pool (Building Acts 1975) An excavation or structure - b) Capable of being used for swimming, bathing, wading, paddling or some other human aquatic activity; and c) solely or pricipally used, or designed, manufactured or adapted to be solely or principally used, for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (b) despite its current use; and includes a spa pool, spa tub or similar thing (whether portable or fixed) and a wading (other than a portable wading pool), But does not include - d) a fishpond or pool solely or principally used, or designed, manufactured or adapted to be solely or principally used, for ornamental purposes; or e) a dam or tank solely or principally used, or designed, manufactured or adapted to be solely or principally used, for aqaculture, marine research or storage of water; or f) a watercourse; or g) a portable wading pool; or h) a spa bath situated in a bathroom, other than a spa bath continuallly filled with water to a depth of more than 300mm; or i) a birthing pool used solely for waterbirths. CALL 1300 400 753 to book your pool fence inspection now or go online Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites          |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 16 June 2011 01:59 |
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Written by Admin
Thursday, 20 January 2011 04:29