The Pool Safety Questions To Ask Your Pool Builder

The pool safety questions to ask your pool builder are

Do you know the pool safety laws?

I’m in NSW: what standard do I comply to?

Do you know how to do the rectification works to meet the pool safety laws?

The staycation lifestyle is the new revolution, as property owners look to the resort lifestyle, transforming their properties with renovations and pools and garden upgrades. Big investments require big decisions.

Why do I want a swimming pool?
Where is the best location on my property for it?
What materials do I want?
Are a deck or stairs involved?
Does the pool need a pool house?
What special features do I want?
Is a fence needed?
Who will build it?

Australian Outdoor Living have a great article on the “10 things to ask your pool builder” – which you can read all about >here.

Pool safety is frequently left behind, but a builder who doesn’t know the pool laws can lead to so much money being unnecessarily spent.

Failed Pool Safety Inspections happen when

Gate hinges and/or latches are faulty or do not follow the pool safety laws
Climbable objects are too close to a pool fence, such as trees, plant pots, BBQs and clothes lines
Pool fence height is less than 1200mm or boundary fence height is less than 1800mm
Distance between the vertical elements of a fence is greater than 100mm
Distance below the bottom of the fence is greater than 100mm
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation sign is missing, incorrectly located or out of date

Basically, pool safety is complicated, but it’s also black and white. A pool fence builder who doesn’t know the pool safety laws can’t guarantee your pool is safe or compliant – leading to a bucket load of money being unnecessarily spent.

A Handy Tip: Changes to your pool barrier often mean changes to your pool safety requirements.

For example: In NSW, if your pool was built prior to 2008 and you upgrade your pool area with lovely new fences in 2020, you need to fit to the requirements of the 2012 standards – rather than the 1986 standard.
Extra hot tip: In NSW, E1, A1, A2, A3 Certifiers are professional experts in pool compliance legislation.

When you’re seeking quotes, check your pool fence builder knows the pool safety laws and include the all important pool safety questions:

Do you know the pool safety laws?

I’m in NSW: what standard do I comply to?

Do you know how to do the rectification works to meet the pool safety laws?