Pool Safety Inspections
Moreton Bay

Nevertheless, it is imperative that your pool fence complies with the current Queensland Pool Safety Regulations, regardless of whether or not your pool safety certificate has expired.

• Non-shared pool certificates last for 2 years.
• For shared pools, the certificates last for 1 year.

Pool Fence Requirements in Queensland

What are non-climbable zones or ‘NCZ’?

A non-climbable zone is an area around the pool’s safety barrier which prevents children from climbing & accessing the pool area. The non-climbable zone requires a 900mm zone around the parameter of the barrier, which is free from climbable objects & stepping points.

What is classed as a ‘stepping point’?

Stepping points can be objects, projections or indentations, which have a horizontal surface of more than 10mm. These stepping points could potentially aid a child’s ability to climb & access the enclosed pool area.

Differences between ‘Clear Area’ Vs ‘Additional Clear Area’

• The ‘Clear Area‘ is a 300mm zone, adjecent to the non-climbable zone, but inside the pool area. The clear area needs to also be free from climbable objects and stepping points.
• Additional Clear Area – The ‘Additional Clear Area’ is a zone which can effectively be applied above or below the non climbable zone (or both) providing the ‘non climbable zone’ & the ‘additional clear area’ equates to 1200mm. This is to maintain the effective height of the safety barrier.

What is the Minimum Pool Barrier Height?

A swimming pool’s barrier must be a minimum of at least 1200mm. This measurement is taken vertically from the top of the pool’s safety barrier, down to solid ground.

Spacing Between Upper & Lower Horizontal fence rails

Horizontal rails cannot be present within the non-climbable zone and should be spaced 900mm apart. Alternatively, where horizontal rails cannot be repositioned, 60 degree angled wedges can be fixed on top of the rails to deem them as non-climbable.

Can I have Gaps Under My Pool Fence?

Any gaps or openings around the pool’s safety barrier cannot exceed more than 100mm.

Pool Boundary Fence Heights

In Queensland, the minimum height required for a boundary fence is 1200mm or more. However, if the non-climable zone is to be applied on the ‘pool area’ side, it must be a minimum of 1800mm.

Boundary Non-climbable Zones inside the Pool Area.

For boundary safety barriers opting to have the non-climbable zone on the inside of the barrier. The fence must have a height of no less than 1800mm & also have a 900mm non-climbable zone measured perpendicular from the top of the barrier. There can be no stepping points within this zone, except for intersecting safety barriers with a top rail width of no more than 50mm.

Pool Fence Intersecting the Boundary Fence

Where the boundary fence is being intersected by another barrier, and the NCZ is present on the inside of the ‘pool area’. Top Horizontal members (or tops of rails) intersecting the barrier can be present within the NCZ, providing it has a width of no more than 50mm and intersects at an angle between 45° & 135° Degrees.

Horizontal Rails on Timber Boundary Fences

Horizontal rails cannot be within the non-climbable zone and should be spaced 900mm or more apart. If it is not possible to alter the distance between the horizontal rails, then the use of 60° angled wedges could be a possibility.

Splash Proof Boundary Fencing Regulations (new builds only)

Splash proof fencing is not part of the pool safety standard & is not considered during a ‘pool safety inspection’ for existing pools. For new swimming pools, a splash proof fence is required when the ‘pool waters edge’ is within 1500mm of the boundary fence, including a minimum height of 1800mm.

Minimum Pool Latch Height

Latches which are located on the inside of the pool gate (eg. glass pool gates) must be located ≥150mm below the height of the gate, providing there are no hand-holes.

Latch mechanisms can be located on the outside of the pool gate, providing the height is of 1500mm or more from finished ground level including a minimum height of 1400mm from the latch mechanism to the highest ‘lower’ horizontal rail. (if one is present)

Self Latching & Self Closing Pool Gates

All entry points to the pool area must self-close from all operational positions & self latch without any external forces.

Operational Direction?

All pool gates must open ‘away’ from the pool area, they should never open towards the pool area.

Minimum Dimensions

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation signs must be at least 300mm by 300mm.
• CPR signs must be appropriately weatherproof & durable material.
• Signs must be visible from all areas of the pool area.
• Permanently fixed.
• Must show the techniques in performing CPR according to the guidelines.

Which Guideline does the Pool Safety sign follow?

Existing pools with CPR signage following ‘Guideline 7‘ is acceptable providing it hasn’t faded or become defected. However, a ‘Guideline 7’ sign must not be replaced with another ‘Guideline 7’ and must be replaced with an updated ‘Guideline 8’ version.

A valid pool certificate! Doesn’t always mean the ‘Pool Fence’ is 100% compliant!

What to look out for…

• Broken fence panels.
• Neighbours have altered their side of the fence & made the pool area non-compliant.
• Wear & Tear.
• Non-compliant areas missed during initial inspection.
• Over grown trees & shrubs.

Services we provide in the Moreton Bay Region

• Pool Safety Inspections in Moreton Bay.
• Pool Consulting & Advice in Moreton Bay.
• Strata & Onsite Property managers Pool Inspections.