Swimming pool owners must follow basic pool fence requirements around the pool. Apart from installing pool gate and windows, Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ) is also required to prevent children from using climbable objects near the pool barrier and avoid high-priced fines.
One of the main reasons why children can climb through the pool fence is that they can easily gain access to it. There are certain fixtures that can be hazardous to the children. Thus, kids can get into the pool using these climbable objects near the pool area.
To be safe and compliant, a Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ) should be maintained around the pool. Listed below are the guidelines for Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ).
Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ)
Pool safety law states that pool owners must provide a non-climbable zone around the pool barrier. The purpose of this law is to stop children from gaining access to the pool without proper supervision.
Unsupervised children can result to unexpected incidents and even death. Pool owners should obey the pool regulations to prevent these accidents from happening.
NSW pool compliance standard requires a 900-millimetre non-climbable zone around the entire pool fence. The non-climbable zone extends both upwards and downwards.
Here are other rules regarding Non-Climbable Zone around the pool.
There should be no potential hand holds or foot holds (e.g. shrubs, trees, pot plants, ladders, chairs and other objects) within the 900mm non-climbable zone.
Trees, shrubs or any other objects such as a barbecue, pot plants, toys, ladders and chairs must not be within the 900 mm 'non-climbable zone'. This is to keep the children from using these objects to climb over the fence.
Non-Climbable Zone should be measured in an arc shape from the top of the fence to the ground.
The Non-climbable zone is measured in an arc shape. It should begin from the top of the pool fence arching towards the ground.
Moreover, boundary fence and pool fence within the 90cm Non-Climbable Zone must not have any horizontal bars because children can climb on it. If the horizontal bars need repairs, contact a licensed builder, pool technician or pool fencing contractor to provide you with a compliant solution.
There should be a 300mm clearance from the barrier inside the pool area.
You should secure any climbable objects with non-climbable materials such as a polycarbonate sheet, or vertical palings. Any horizontal climbable bars on the pool fence should also be removed.
There should be no permanent structures within 300mm of the pool fence as the non-climbable zone. Non-pool structures such as garages, pergolas, clothes-lines, boatsheds, ramp/pontoon or sheds are not allowed in this area.
An appropriate warning sign such as the CPR guidelines should be available near the pool area and can be easily read from a distance of 3m.
All swimming pool owners should ensure that an approved C.P.R. (Resuscitation) sign is prominently displayed in the vicinity of the pool at all times. The CPR sign must be maintained in a clear and readable condition.
The CPR sign should include the words, “Young Children Should Be Supervised When Using This Swimming Pool”. It must also show CPR techniques to adults, children and infants. These signs may be available for purchase from your local Council.
Conclusion
Children can be very active and smart enough to do anything and access to the pool. It can be extremely dangerous especially when they are not supervised.
In order to prevent children from climbing over the fence into the pool area, the law requires pool owners to ensure that they maintain a `Non-climbable Zone´ around the pool area.
On the other hand, indoor pools and spas should also be compliant with the relevant NSW pool compliance regulations. Further information about the guidelines for indoor pools and spas will be explained in the next blog post.