Spasa Victoria Consumer Guide

Barriers are required for: •in-ground pools and spas • above-ground pools and spas, including relocatable and inflatable pools that are capable of holding more than 300 mm (30 cm) depth of water and require assembly on site. • indoor pools and spas • bathing and wading pools capable of containing more than 300 mm (30 cm) depth of water. Barriers aren’t required for: • Bird baths • Fountains • Water supply/storage tanks • Fishponds • Dams • Baths used for personal hygiene and emptied after each use • Pools or spas which cannot contain a water depth of more than 300mm (30cm) • Spas inside a building used for personal hygiene (a spa bath in a bathroom that’s emptied after each use). Safety barriers must have an effective perpendicular minimum height of 1.2 metres. Existing boundary fences can be used as a safety barrier provided that they are well maintained, at least 1800mm high measured on the inside of the barrier to a solid finished surface and have no climbable elements within 900mm measured from the top of the inside of the fence. SPASAVIC GUIDELINES The backyard swimming pool is an Australian icon that for many years has provided good times and healthy recreation for people of all ages. While swimming pools allow us to get together with our friends and family to share fun, fitness and relaxation, they can also pose a risk. There are some easy to remember rules that need to be followed to ensure the safe use of swimming pools and spas at all times. SPASAVIC recommends these safety guidelines be followed at all times: • Supervise children at all times around water. If you need to leave the pool or water area, even for a moment, take the child with you • Make sure your pool or spa has compliant fencing and child-proof locking gates. Always remember that a swimming pool fence is not a substitute for supervision • Don’t leave furniture or other items that children can climb on near your pool or spa fence • Be aware that hair, bathing suit strings and tassels or body parts can become entangled in an improperly covered drain or suction point • Display a resuscitation chart on your pool fence and take a CPR course so you will know what to do in an emergency • Familiarise children with water by taking them to swimming lessons at the local pool • Make sure all pool users are warned against sitting on, or covering, a drain or suction point. This can cause injury, or in extreme cases, death • Empty paddling pools, baths, basins, sinks and troughs when they are not in use • Never take your eyes off children when they are in or around water. It only takes a few seconds for a child to drown • Alcohol and swimming don’t mix. Never drink around water • Most backyard pools are too shallow for diving. Place “No Diving” signs prominently around your pool • Be aware that poorly designed pools and spas can create an entrapment hazard. Ask a Registered Pool Builder or Building Surveyor to check your pool or spa to ensure safety, replace broken or missing suction covers and have anti-entrapment covers fitted if needed • Never put your head under water when in a spa The following websites are also recommended for more useful information: www.royallifesaving.com.au/programs/ home-pool-safety www.kidsafevic.com.au www.watersafety.vic.gov.au www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au www.vba.vic.gov.au SAFETY BARRIERS All swimming pools and spas capable of containing water to a depth greater than 300 mm (30 cm) must have a compliant safety barrier to restrict access to the pool area by young children (under the age of five). This includes keeping the area around the safety barrier free from climbable objects or plants that can be used to gain access to the pool area. The key elements of the relevant Australian Standard, A.S. 1926.1-2012 are designed to restrict access by unsupervised young children, especially those under 5 years of age, to the swimming pool area. Essentially, a safety barrier can be made of any material that has a reasonable life span when exposed to the likely conditions of weather, pool chemicals, pollution, decay, insects, salt water spray, impacts, etc. Property owners and occupants are responsible for making sure pool barriers are maintained, repaired and kept in working order. A new outdoor pool or spa must not have direct access from any building. Self-Assessment Checklists www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/ swimming-pools/pool-safety-barriers continued over... SPASAVIC CONSUMER GUIDE • 7