Spasa Victoria Consumer Guide

FACT SHEET 2 • cont inued GATES These must open outward only (away from the pool area) and have an effective perpendicular minimum height of 1.2 metres. They must return to the closed position and engage the latch automatically from any position and not re-open without using the manual release mechanism. The latch release must be at least 1.5 metres above ground level unless it (i) is inside the fence (ii) can only be reached over or through a fence higher than 1.2 metres or (iii) is 300mm below the fence top (no hand hole) or at least 150mm away from the edge of any hand hole opening. Latch releases less than 1.5 metres above ground level must be shielded so that no opening greater than 10mm is closer than 450mm. Any hand hole shall be at least 1.2 metres above ground level. WALLS External walls of a building can be used as swimming pool barriers so long as they do not contain any doors opening into the pool area and windows are treated to prevent access to the pool area. POOL COVERS Pool covers are not designed to stop children getting into the pool. Rigid covers may provide a greater barrier but even they are not totally child-proof. Soft covers can give the illusion of being solid but if a child walks on them they will sag and create a pond deep enough to be dangerous. When the pool is being used, the cover should never be left partially over the pool. If trapped under the cover a child may not be seen. Remember pool covers should never be considered a substitute for a fence or proper supervision. TEMPORARY BARRIERS During construction, if the new pool is filled with water more than 300 mm (30 cm) deep it must be guarded against being a danger to life and safety with a temporary safety barrier as required by the Relevant Building Surveyor. A temporary barrier should be installed where a pool is not self-draining and could collect rainwater during construction. This is especially important where the site is occupied during construction. No pool or spa should be filled until the building surveyor has completed their final inspection. RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING TEMPORARY BARRIERS Property owner not living on site When the builder responsible for the work has vacant possession (where nobody is living on the site), they must maintain the temporary pool barrier. Property owner is living on site If anyone is living at the property during the construction work, the pool builder is responsible for maintaining the temporary pool barrier while they’re on site. The occupant may be responsible for maintaining the temporary barrier when the builder isn’t on the site depending on responsibilities set out in the building contract and Building Permit. ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF POOL AND SPA BARRIERS The owner of the pool or spa is responsible for ensuring that the barrier and any gates are operating effectively, and that the barrier is properly maintained once the certificate of final inspection has been issued. Gates must be self-closing and latching and must not be propped open. No climbable objects should be located near the barrier and any gaps or weak spots in or around the barrier must be repaired. Occupants of a rental property must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the barrier is operating effectively and should report any faults with a barrier to their landlord. The VBA has produced checklists to help pool and spa owners check the compliance of pool barriers. https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/ swimming-pools While these precautions go a long way to protect children, always actively supervise children around water. DOORS & WINDOWS Doors from a dwelling are prohibited from opening into a swimming pool area. The only exception is for doors opening directly to an indoor swimming pool or spa. Acceptable window fixing treatments are as follows: • Those totally enclosed by screw fixed security screens that can only be removed by the use of a tool • Those that are fixed so the window cannot open more than 100mm max • Those with a lowest opening panel not less than 1.8 above the ground level to the pool area • Those that have firm fixed metal fly-wire installed that is fixed to the building with fasteners that can only be removed by the use of a tool This is only a general summary of A.S 1926.1. Please refer to your local SPASAVIC member or the VBA for more information. 8 • SPASAVIC CONSUMER GUIDE