10 Years Auditing Pool Barriers with Local Government
Qualified & Registered Building Inspector with VBA
Consulted with DELWP
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We understand that ensuring compliance with pool safety regulations can be daunting for pool owners. That’s where we come in.
Our team of certified inspectors is here to help you navigate the complex world of pool safety compliance. We offer comprehensive inspections of residential and commercial pools, spas, and pool barriers to ensure they meet all necessary safety standards.
With Pool Safe Inspections Victoria, you can know that your pool is compliant and safe for you and your loved ones. Our inspections are thorough, efficient, and cost-effective, so you can have confidence that you’re getting the best value for your money.
Don’t let compliance worries weigh you down – let us help you ensure that your pool is safe and compliant. Contact Pool Safe Inspections Victoria today to schedule your inspection and take the first step towards hassle-free compliance.
If you’re a pool owner, it’s important to regularly check that your pool complies with all necessary safety regulations. Non-compliant pools can pose serious risks to pool users, and failure to meet compliance standards can result in fines and other legal consequences.
To ensure that your pool is compliant, it’s a good idea to schedule regular inspections with a certified pool safety inspector. At Pool Safe Inspections Victoria, our team of inspectors is trained to identify any potential hazards or non-compliant features in your pool. We’ll provide you with a detailed report outlining any necessary repairs or improvements, so you can take the necessary steps to bring your pool into compliance.
Don’t take chances with pool safety – make sure your pool is compliant and safe for use by scheduling an inspection with Pool Safe Inspections Victoria today.
It’s important to understand what a pool certificate of compliance is and why it’s necessary. A pool certificate of compliance is a document that confirms that your pool meets the safety standards set by your Local Council. These standards are in place to ensure that pools are safe for everyone to use, particularly children. It is required by law to have a pool certificate of compliance to use your pool.
Now, let’s get into the steps for obtaining your pool certificate of compliance.
Our Pool Safety Inspection Service ensures that your swimming pool and spa’s safety barriers meet Victorian regulations and standards. You will receive either a ‘Pool Safety Certificate’ or a report outlining any areas of non-compliance based on the inspection results. We will work with you to make any adjustments necessary to meet the required safety standards to ensure that your pool and spa are safe for use.
In Victoria, Australia, pool and spa fencing safety regulations are governed by the
Building Regulations 2018 and the Swimming Pools Act 1992. These regulations outline the requirements for the design, construction, and maintenance of pool and spa fencing to ensure the safety of children and other vulnerable individuals.
According to the Building Regulations 2018, all swimming pools and spas with a depth of more than 300mm (about 12 inches) must be surrounded by a child-resistant barrier. This barrier must be a continuous and self-closing fence at least 1200mm (about 47 inches) high and is designed to prevent children from accessing the pool or spa area. The fence must also have self-closing gates and self-latching, and the latch must be located at least 1500mm (about 59 inches) above the ground.
In addition to these requirements, the Swimming Pools Act 1992 requires that all pool and spa fencing must be inspected and certified by a qualified building surveyor every four years. This ensures that the fencing meets all safety requirements and is in good repair.
It is important to note that these regulations apply to all swimming pools and spas, including above-ground, in-ground, indoor, and portable. The owner or operator of the pool or spa is responsible for ensuring that the fencing meets all safety regulations and is maintained in good condition. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and other penalties.
Dates of required inspections and certificates: for a swimming pool or spa registered under regulation 147L, the date by which the first certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance is required to be lodged with the relevant council;
Don’t leave your inspection to the final hour, call us now at Pool Safe to get your barrier safe and registered.
News: From the 1st December New Mandatory Register and inspection certificates are now law in Victoria.
If a Victorian residential pool or spa has a depth of 30cm or more (300mm), it is required to be surrounded by safety barrier. This includes inflatable pools. All pools and spas built after 2010 require a four sided barrier (isolation fence), with no direct access from the house or any other building to the pool or spa:
A building permit is required before installing a new pool, spa, or barrier. This permit needs to be issued by a registered building surveyor. Building work must start within 12 months of the date that the building permit was issued. During construction, if a new pool is filled with more than 30cm of water it must have a temporary safety barrier put around it.
In Australia, pools are required by law to have fencing around them to prevent drowning accidents, particularly among young children. According to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of five in Australia.
The pool fencing requirements are outlined in the Building Code of Australia and vary based on the state or territory in which the pool is located. Generally, the fence must be at least 1200mm (4 feet) high and have a self-closing and self-latching gate to prevent children’s access to the pool area. The fence must also be designed and constructed to make it difficult for children to climb over or through it.
These fencing requirements aim to create a physical barrier between the pool and the surrounding area to prevent unsupervised access to the pool. By requiring pools to have fences, the government hopes to reduce the number of drowning accidents and keep people safe when using pools.
A pool fence or barrier is a physical barrier installed around a pool to prevent unsupervised access to the pool area. A pool fence or barrier aims to create a safety zone around the pool to prevent accidental drownings, particularly among young children.
Pool fences or barriers can be made from various materials, including wood, vinyl, aluminium, and glass.
Barrier compliance certificates are only valid for 30 days after they are issued. The pool safety certificates must be filed with the relevant Local Council within this timeframe.
Upon receiving the certificate, the Local Council must acknowledge receipt and inform the applicant that their next certificate is due in 4 years.
The registration of swimming pools and spas is not voluntary. According to the Swimming Pools Act 1992, all swimming pools and spas that are capable of holding more than 300mm of water must be registered with the relevant Council. This includes in-ground, above-ground, and portable pools and spas.
Pool safety fences must be installed in Victoria, Australia, for all new and existing swimming pools and spas. The fencing must be installed before the pool or spa is filled with water or used for swimming.
In the case of a new pool or spa, the fencing must be installed as part of the construction process. In the case of pre-existing pools, i.e. those which were constructed or construction commenced prior to 14 April 2020. The proposed Regulations provide a staged approach to providing the first certificate of compliance. The relevant Local Council will divide these pre-existing pools and spas into three groups according to their construction dates.
If you are unsure if your pool or spa meets the required safety standards, you can contact your Local Council or the Victorian Building Authority for further information and guidance.
Several requirements must be met before a swimming pool, spa, or safety pool barrier can be built, including being constructed by a builder registered in an appropriate category or class or by an owner-builder with an owner-builder certificate.
A penalty of up to $1,652.20 may be imposed if you fail to submit a certificate of pool and spa barrier compliance by the due date.
Local councils will fine non-compliant pools. Certification can be time-consuming, and you must ensure you get the deadline. This is especially important if your licensed pool safety inspector has spotted any problems!
If you fail to comply with the new pool safety regulations, you could be fined up to $1817.40 (depending on your Local Council).
If your pool does not conform to the pool safety barrier, we will provide you with a report outlining what needs to be done. A 60-day window will be given to you to complete the work and have the pool inspected again. Should the safety barrier still be non-compliant, we will have to notify your Local Council.
After you have registered your pool or spa, if you make changes to the pool barrier that requires a building permit, a building surveyor will need to assess the barrier to ensure it meets the necessary standards. If the surveyor determines that the barrier meets the required standards, they will issue a certificate of compliance and provide it to you. You must then submit this certificate to your Local Council within 14 days. If the barrier does not meet the necessary standards, the building surveyor will require the necessary changes to bring it into compliance.
Here are some tips for choosing the right pool and safety inspectors:
1. Research and compare different pool and safety inspection companies: Look for companies that have a good reputation and are well-established in the industry. Check their websites and read customer reviews to get a sense of their reliability and quality of service.
2. Consider the inspectors’ qualifications and experience: Ensure the inspectors are licensed and certified to perform pool inspections. It’s also a good idea to choose inspectors who have experience with the specific type of pool you have (e.g., in-ground, above-ground, etc.).
3. Look for a thorough and detail-oriented inspector: A good pool inspector will thoroughly inspect all aspects of the pool, including the structure, equipment, and safety features. They should also provide a detailed report outlining any issues or concerns that need to be addressed.
4. Ensure the inspector is objective: It’s important to choose an objective inspector and not be influenced by any particular company or product. An objective inspector will provide an unbiased assessment of the pool’s condition and make recommendations based on what’s best for you and your family.
5. Consider the cost of the inspection: Keep in mind that pool inspections can vary in cost, depending on the size and complexity of the pool, as well as the level of detail provided in the inspection report. Be sure to compare prices from multiple companies to find the best value.