Australian standards concerning swimming pools in residences
Thinking of installing a fibreglass swimming pool in your backyard? That’s a great idea! After all, people—especially avid swimming lovers like the Aussies—covet a space where they can not only enjoy the sport but also have their social gatherings. And given how durable fibreglass pools are (both inground and above-ground), you can use them for years to come.
However, before you even install a pool, you should familiarise yourself with the Australian standards for constructing swimming pools. Each state has distinct regulations governing construction and pool safety. Adhering to these norms and standards is necessary to avoid complications that often entail non-compliance.
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The present-day Australian Standard AS1926-2012 is considered the primary standard in New South Wales (NSW), South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) calls up the swimming pool standard in these Australian jurisdictions. In a couple of cases, you will find local variations that are enforced under the legislation. Northern Territory has the AS1926.1 – 1993 in place, while Queensland has its own standard which is a modified version of AS 1926-2007 coupled with a state-wide standard QDC MP 3.4.
Revised fibreglass swimming pool standards
The new Australian Standards pertaining to the fabrication, design and installation of fibreglass swimming pools have been made available recently. The updates to the standards came after nearly two years of continuous development and collaboration with the Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia (SPASA), along with key members of the industry.
SPASA Australia is an associate of the PL-041 Australia Standards Committee, coming up with the SPASA Australia Fibreglass Advisory Group. These are the revised fibreglass pool standards that have now been published.
- AS 1838 – 2021 Swimming pools – Pre-moulded fibre reinforced plastics Design and Fabrication
- AS 1839 – 2021 Swimming pools – Pre-moulded fibre reinforced plastics Installation
All jurisdictions in Australia except Queensland follow multiple standards; as different states adopt new standards, existing pools that conform to the erstwhile standard have been allowed to do so. It means pool owners may continue to comply with the old standard that they initially followed by constructing the pool. However, the catch is that there has not been a substantial change made to the pool barrier. In case there are substantial changes made to the pool, then the pool owner must comply with the most recent swimming pool standard.
Exemptions from the pool standard
There are two types of exemptions to the national pool standard:
- Exemptions that are enforced by the BCA as a variation to the standard applicable in a particular jurisdiction.
- Legislative exemptions to the application of particular legislation.
The case is different in NSW, where poolside spas are equipped with a substitute for pool fencing. It may have a lid that can be locked and can be operated by a single person. It is a requirement for spa owners to keep the lid locked when the establishment is not used. The state does not allow the usage of the pool’s ground wall as a pool fence or barrier. It is also important to know that these variations are not applicable in other jurisdictions of the country where spa pools require a fence and the ground wall of the pool can be used as a barrier, provided the requirements of the respective state’s standard are met.
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There are also exemptions that apply to specific types of properties having swimming pools in some jurisdictions of the country. These exemptions apply to properties in NSW (small, large, and waterfront), the ACT (properties built prior to 1970), Tasmania (pools built prior to 1 November 1994), and the Northern Territory (properties built before 1 January 2003 and swimming pools of small and big properties). Local councils in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia have the power to approve alternative barriers that can provide the same level of safety as barriers prescribed by the AS1926.1 standard.
Australian Standard AS1926.1 - 2012 Version
The Australian Standard AS 1926.1 – 2012 stipulates certain standards concerning pool safety that pool owners in the country must adhere to. It sets down that a fence around a fibreglass swimming pool shall be at least 1.2m high. A Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ) measuring 900mm around the pool, outside of the pool fence, is a mandate as per the standard. When a 1.8m-high boundary fence is used to prevent children from falling into the pool, then the 900mm-NCZ will be measured from the inside of the pool fence.
The AS 1926.1 – 2012 prescribes that the gap at the bottom of the pool fence must be not more than 100mm. If it is greater than 100mm around the pool or in some sections, the pool owner has to go for immediate advice from a licensed pool builder, technician, or pool fencing contractor. The gates of the pool area should swing outwards and should be free-swinging along the arc. A self-shutting mechanism should be present in the pool gate so that the gate returns to its closed position without manual intervention. Also, there must be a latching device in all gates that automatically closes the pool’s gate and prevents it from reopening without manual effort.
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Conclusion
The Australian Standard AS1926.1 – 2012 Version, along with the newly revised standards, namely Pre-moulded fibre reinforced plastics Design and Fabrication and Pre-moulded fibre reinforced plastics Installation, are guidelines that you will have to follow while planning to install a fibreglass swimming pool at home. Each state in Australia has different regulations and laws governing the installation of pools. You will have to familiarize yourself properly with these standards and norms to make smart decisions.
When you are installing a fibreglass swimming pool, it’s always good to consult a professional pool builder who knows these standards well. Working with such a builder would ensure that you are adhering to the norms rightfully and channelling your money in the right direction. Rest assured, you are surely going to love the final product.
