A swimming pool is an ideal place for your family’s fun and enjoyment that does not require you and your kids to leave home. As a pool owner, you want to enhance the beauty and appeal of your backyard and have a great time around and in the pool with your beloved family.
Having a wonderful pool is great, but if it is not compliant and safe to use, then The safety of your pool is top priority because pool accidents can happens from time to time . Your pool should comply the swimming pool compliance law before letting your family utilize the swimming pool.
Whether you own a commercial pool or have one for private purpose, you will ensure that your pool meet the local pool regulation and safe for use. Below are some tips that help you achieve these.
Ways to avoid having a non-compliant pool
Before making your pool accessible for all of your family, get it inspected by your local council or a private certifier because for home owners with pool, you are required to follow pool regulation rules. It is important to ensure that the pool complies with Swimming Pools Act 1992.
Swimming pool owners must register their pools on an online register set up by the NSW State Government.
The Swimming Pool Register is a state-wide record of all private backyard swimming pools and spas, kept and controlled by the respective state governments. It will be used to assist councils and water safety agencies to direct water safety information and compliance updates to pool owners.
Pool owners can visit the NSW pool registry to register their pool. You need to provide your name and contact details, details on your property, details on your pool, details on your pool barrier and the approximate age of your pool.
Swimming Pool owners are required to self-assess.
Assessing if your pool fencing meets the requirements is vital. NSW pool registry provides a self-assessment checklist for pool owners. It has a list of swimming pool requirements that should do. It is best so self-evaluate the pools first in order to know whether your pool is compliant or not.
There is a penalty for owners who fail to register their pool.
Swimming pools can be registered at the Swimming Pool Register. Local council can register your pool on your behalf, but at a cost. They may charge pool owners if their pool is not registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register. The penalty is $220. If an inspector refers the matter to court, a fine of up to $2,200 may be imposed.
Pool owners must provide a valid swimming pool compliance certificate before selling or leasing a property with a swimming pool.
Swimming pool must be registered and has a valid certificate of compliance. It should be issued within the last 3 years at the time the Residential Tenancy Agreement is entered into and a copy of that certificate must be given to tenant. Before a new lease is entered, the pool must have a valid certificate of compliance.
Accredited certifiers under the Building Professional Act 2005 can perfrom swimming pool inspections initiated by the pool owner.
Pool inspections can be carried out by local councils and accredited private certifiers. Private inspectors should be registered with the Building Professionals Board. A certificate of compliance will only be provided if your swimming pool meets all the compliance and safety requirements.
Time given to pool owners to fix pool non-compliance issue
The purchaser of a property with a non-compliant swimming pool has 90 days to fix the pool barrier issues. The 90-day duration will start from the date of settlement. Within this time frame, the buyer must obtain a certificate of compliance.
A swimming pools can be a fantastic place for relaxation and recreation for your family. However, pools can also create unforeseen risks to you and for your kids if compliance and safety are ignored. According to Royal Life Saving Drowning Report, drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in New South Wales. Here are some tips to keep your loved ones safe around the swimming pool in summer.
Pool safety tips
Despite risks, children still enjoy swimming, floating, playing games, jumping or diving into a pool. It is necessary to ensure there's always an adult presenting who is paying attention to kids when they are in or near the water. Here are more tips for keeping kids safe at the swimming pool.
Pool fence is an important layer of protection around pools. The best way to prevent drowning is to have four-sided fencing around the pool that is at least 4 feet high. It should also have a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Post CPR instructions and learn the procedures.
Put away ladders that may give access to portable pools when not in use. This can prevent kids from entering the pool unsupervised. You can also install a pool cover.
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Swimming is a wonderful way for kids to be physically active. However, you must make sure that children are doing it safely.
For most pool owners, it is hard to work out if your pool barrier does not comply with legislation. Thus, they choose to have pool inspected by experienced private certifier so they can rest assured that they will not get any penalties from local councils.
Conclusion
Playing around pools and swimming in the pools can be fun and enjoyable. However; they can also be extremely dangerous and should be used with caution. The compliance and safety can't be stressed enough! Your swimming pool must remain compliant at all times for the safety of young children.
If you think the compliance and the safety of your pool is not worthy the hassle? Think again!