Children’s safety must be seriously considered by every parent, especially when it is related to swimming pool fence. Pool barrier secures the kids by preventing them from entering the pool without adult supervision. Pool fences also reduces the potential risk of injuries such as drowning and pool drain entrapment.
To educate parents and pool owners, below are the 10 important things on your swimming pool fence that should be aware of.
1. What is a safety pool fence?
A pool fence is a barrier installed around the pool to limit the access of children especially when they are not accompanied by an adult. It prevents the kids from entering the pool and avoid swimming pool accidents.
2. Why should you install a safety fence for your swimming pool?
Installing a safety pool fence can reduce the cases of drowning among children.
In addition, installing a safety fence around your swimming pool is a legal obligation in NSW.
3. Is the safety pool fence better than other safety pool devices/products?
Safety pool products/devices such as safety pool covers, pool alarms and pool signs can add other layers of protection to the children around swimming pools. However, when installed properly, safety pool fencing is the most effective way to restrict children’s access to the pool.
4. What should you do to keep you pool fence safe?
Pool owners must bear in mind that it is their responsibility to keep their pools safe for their children. A regular maintenance check for your pool fence can help you detect early signs of rail breaks, rusts and holes. Owners must also frequently inspect the pool barriers and make sure they are in good condition.
Although pool fence maintenance is important, it is not enough to guarantee that your pool fence is safe. You must also follow the safety fence regulations provided by your local council.
5. What are the some pool barrier requirements that need to comply?
In NSW, the required pool barrier height must be at least 1.2m. The gap between the ground level and the bottom of the fence must not exceed 10cm. Moreover, the gaps in between the vertical bars of the safety pool fence must be no more than 10cm.
Pool owners should also make sure that the pool fence door opens outwards near the pool area. The latching device on the door must be at least 150cm above the ground.
6. What if your swimming pool do not comply with the safety pool barrier requirements?
A penalty of up to $5,500 will be charged to the house owners who has a non-compliant pool. Furthermore, your kids will also be exposed to unintentional drowning risk and other potential water-related injuries when there is no safety pool barrier installed or the poor fence is not installed properly.
7. What should the pool owners do to confirm that the pool is compliant with the law?
To know if your pools comply with the law, you must contact the local council or a private pool safety fence inspector to conduct an inspection for your pool.
8. How does the private certifier work on your pool barriers?
Private certifiers are responsible for conducting safety fence inspection around your pool. They will issue you a compliance certificate when your pool barriers meet the safety requirement of NSW council. Private certifiers will also provide a (detailed) report after they conduct the swimming pool inspection.
9. What other services private certifiers can provide to your pool fence?
Apart from the pool safety inspection, private certifiers can provide repair services to your pool fence. They can also give you valuable recommendations on how to make sure your pool is safe for your kids.
10. How to ensure that your pool fence inspector is reliable?
Pool owners must try to find a reliable pool fence safety inspector for their swimming pools. All pool inspectors must be at least holding E1 certification. These pool safety certifiers have finished inspection training courses and are qualified to conduct safety inspections for your pool fences.
Conclusion
Pool fencing is a helpful way to prevent children from drowning incidents in swimming pools. The benefits of installing a pool fence properly around the swimming pool are pretty obvious, but actions are required to ensure the safety is in place.
To check if your pool barrier is safe and compliant with the law, contact a reliable pool safety inspection company. They will conduct a pool fence safety inspection and will also assist you with the repairs to meet pool safety standards in NSW.