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HOME SWIMMING POOL SAFETY CHECKLIST
This checklist does not substitute for a pool inspection and is for educational purposes only.
Must be secure and in good working order
Must be at least 1.2m high
- Is there a pool fence or other child-resistant barrier separating the pool from your house and adjoining properties and public spaces at all times?
No? – Install compliant pool fencing.
- Is the outside of the pool fence at least 1200mm high all the way around when measured from ground level?
No? – Remove vegetation from around the fence line or raise the pool fence until there is a continual height of at least 1200mm achieved.
- If a boundary fence forms part of the pool barrier, and your pool was built after 2006, is the boundary fence at least 1800mm high?
No? – Install 1.8m high fencing to those sections of the boundary fence that form part of the pool safety barrier.
- Is the gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground less than 100mm?
No? – Reduce the gap by either attaching additional material to the bottom of the fence or concreting rocks, bricks etc. into the ground beneath the fence.
- Are all vertical rails on the fence less than 100mm apart?
No? – Either reposition the vertical rails or install additional rails so that gaps between the rails are no greater than 100mm.
- If you have a timber pool fence and the vertical rails are more than 10mm apart, is there a distance of at least 900mm between the top and bottom horizontal rails?
No? – Install an additional horizontal rail along the top horizontal rail so that there is 900mm between the upper surfaces of the bottom and top horizontal rails.
- Is the distance between any potential handholds and footholds on the pool fence and its associated space at least 900mm apart to inhibit a young child from climbing over it?
No? – Either remove the potential handholds and footholds or shield them using any durable non-climbable material, such as acrylic or polycarbonate sheeting or aviary wire that has holes no greater than 13mm.
- Is your pool fence built on level ground, without any steps in the fence panels?
No? – Is there a distance of 900mm between the bottom horizontal rail of the top (upper) fence panel and the top horizontal rail of the stepped (lower) fence panel?If not either:
- raise the lower fence panel until a clear distance of 900mm is achieved when measured from the bottom horizontal rail of the upper fence panel and the top horizontal rail of the lower fence panel and ensure any gaps created beneath the fence are no greater than 100mm.
- Install a shield, on the outside of the lower fence panel, to the junction where the stepped fence panels meet. The shield needs to extend a height and distance until there is a clear 900mm between horizontal surfaces.
- If the wall of the house forms part of the barrier, is the wall without windows, doors or other openings through which a young child could gain access at any time?
No? – Depending on when your pool was installed, windows and doors of the dwelling could be located within the pool enclosure provided that certain safety measures are in place.
- Are windows restricted to open a maximum of 100mm by a device that can only be removed by the use of a tool, e.g., a screwdriver or spanner?
- Is the openable portion of the window covered by a mesh screen that complies with the test for strength and rigidity (not a standard fly screen) and that is fixed to the building with fasteners that can only be removed by the use of a tool?
- Are the doors fitted with a self closing and self latching device that will activate immediately after use and will return the door to the closed and latched position without the use of a manual force? The self closing device must be capable of operating and activating the latching device when the door is at any position, from resting on the latching mechanism to fully open.
- Is the release for the latching device at least 1500mm above floor level?
- Do you ensure that any footholds wider than 10mm on the door, on its frame or within close proximity to the door, for a height of 1000mm above the floor, are removed?
- Pet doors must not provide access into a pool enclosure.
- Is your pool fence well maintained and in a good state of repair (e.g. no broken or loose panels or rails)?
No? – Secure loose fence panels and rails and replace any broken sections.
- If you have a balcony that projects into the pool area, that is less than 1800mm when measured from the floor of the balcony to the finished ground level of the pool area, or is located within 900mm of the top of the pool safety barrier, does the balustrade consist of compliant pool fencing that is a minimum 1.2m high?
No? – Install fencing that complies with the requirements of AS 1926.1-2012 Part 1—Safety barriers for swimming pools.
- If using perforated or mesh fencing, are the holes 13mm or less?
No? – Either replace the existing mesh, or attach additional mesh to the existing mesh, with a type that has holes no greater than 13mm. The additional mesh must be attached to the outside of the pool fence.
Must open away from the pool
Must be self closing and self latched
- Does the gate automatically swing back to the closed position after being opened from any distance (does not need a manual force to close it)?
- From resting on the latching mechanism
- From close range to the latching mechanism
- From half way through the arc of operation
- From fully open
No for any of the above? – Adjust or replace hinges or install an additional spring, ensuring it is not located within 900mm of the bottom of the pool gate.
- Is the gate latch working well so that the gate is secure and, once closed, can’t be pulled open?
No? – Fix or replace latching mechanism
- Is the gate secure and doesn’t open if a child bounces on the bottom rail of the gate?
No? – Fix or replace latching mechanism
- Does the gate swing freely and open away from the pool area?
No? – Re-hang the gate so that it swings away from the pool area. Clear and level the ground surface around the pool gate to allow a clear arc of operation.
- Is the gate release mechanism 1500mm above effective ground level or, if located inside the gate, positioned 150mm below the top of the gate and covered by an approved shield?
No? – Relocate the release mechanism so that it is a minimum 1500mm above effective ground level or, if installed inside the pool gate, install an approved shield so that the latch cannot be accessed.
- Is the gap between the gate and the fence less than 10mm?
No? – Reduce the gap using any durable, non-climbable material.
- Is the gap between ground level and the bottom of the gate less than 100mm?
No? – Reduce the gap by attaching additional material to the bottom horizontal rail of the gate or permanently installing pavers. rocks or the like beneath the gate until a maximum gap of 100mm is achieved.
- Are you aware that it is dangerous and against the law to prop the gate open?
No? – NEVER prop the pool gate open.
- Have trees or shrubs been trimmed of any branches or forks within 900mm of any horizontal rail of the pool fence so that children can’t use them to climb the fence?
No? – Trim or remove any branches, trees or shrubs that could provide a climbing aid into the pool area.
- Are toys always removed from the pool and stored securely after use?
No? – Remove toys from pool area when not in use.
- Do you have a clear 300mm on the inside and 900mm on the outside of your pool fence between any potential climbable object such as BBQs, pot plants, rocks, outdoor furniture and deckchairs?
No? – Relocate any items so that there is a clear 300mm on the inside and 900mm on the outside of the pool fence.
- Is there a current pool warning / CPR (resuscitation) sign displayed in a prominent position within the pool area that can be easily read and contains the following warnings:
- “YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD BE SUPERVISED WHEN USING THIS SWIMMING POOL”
- “POOL GATES MUST BE KEPT CLOSED AT ALL TIMES”
- “KEEP ARTICLES, OBJECTS AND STRUCTURES AT LEAST 900 MILLIMETRES CLEAR OF THE POOL”
No? – Buy and install a current warning / CPR (resuscitation) sign that includes all the required warning notices. Signs can be purchased from Council’s Katoomba and Springwood offices, pool supply outlets, hardware stores and online retailers.
- Do you or your family members have up to date resuscitation and First Aid skills?
No? – Enrol in a CPR or First Aid course.
- When using the pool are you always within arms reach of any child under 5 years of age?
No? – Always supervise your child around water.
- Is there appropriate adult supervision for young
children in and around the pool at all times?
No? – An adult should always be supervising children.
- Are all the pool’s suction fittings and plumbing grates/covers securely in place and in good condition
No? – Secure loose fittings and replace broken or missing fittings.
- Are pool chemicals stored securely, out of view and out of reach of children?
No? – Always store chemicals out of reach of children.
- Electricity and water don’t mix.
Do you have a Residual Current Device (RCD) or Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) on power supply?
No? – Have a RCD or RCCB installed.
- Is there a current resuscitation sign displayed in a prominent position within the pool area that can be easily read and contains the warnings listed above?
No? – Buy and install a pool warning / CPR (resuscitation) sign that includes all the required warning notices.
- Is your spa pool, when not in use, covered and secured by a lockable child-safe structure?
No? – Obtain a lockable child-safe structure (such as a door, lid, grille or mesh) that is of a substantial construction and which has no openings greater than 100mm when in the locked position.