Private Swimming Pool Safety Fencing ... - City of Gosnells

Latch shielding for gates of openconstructionCurrent Regulations - Effective 5November 2001All swimming pools/spas installed from 5 November2001 shall be isolation fenced. Such fencing mayinclude complying property boundary fencing andwalls of a building provided such walls do not havedoor access to that building.Opening windows may be included, subject tothe requirement of Section 2.13 of the AustralianStandards 1926-1-1993. This requires all windowsopening onto the pool area with a sill level lower than1.2m to be fitted with a fixed grill.Pre November 2001 ConcessionPrivate SwimmingPool Safety FencingSpecificationsSafety fencing is required for all aboveand below ground swimming poolsand spas containing water to a depthgreater than 300mm.GOVERNANCEDimension in millimetresAll swimming pool/spas installed prior to 15November 2001 shall be isolation fenced inaccordance with current regulations above, but whichmay include door access from a building subject tothe requirements of Section 2.14 of the AustralianStandards 1926-1-1993 but shall not include accessvia roller doors etc, or Class 10a buildings. This willrequire doors both sliding and hinged which provideaccess to the pool area to be fitted with a self latchingdevice with the latch release not less that 1.5m abovethe floor, and a self closing device that will return thedoor to the closed position, and operate the latchingdevice from any position with a stationary start andwithout manual force.Mandatory InspectionPO Box 662Gosnells 6990Western Australia9397 3000www.gosnells.wa.gov.auState legislation requires that all pool enclosures areinspected at least once in every four year period. Itis your obligation and responsibility to ensure that thepool safety barriers and mechanism are maintained atall times.If you have any questions regarding the acceptabilityof a proposed or existing pool enclosure, pleasecontact the City’s Building Services.

Design and constructionFencing is to be designed and constructed so thatat any point, the outside of the fencing will presentan effective barrier by restricting access of youngchildren to a pool.Types of Materials: Fencing may be constructedfrom any type of material, provided it is of a durablenature and that the finished fencing componentscomply with the specifications.Fencing Height: The effective fencing height shallnot be less than 1.2m. The height along the lengthof fence is measured to the finished ground level.Perforated Materials or Mesh: Apertures to be13mm or less. Where fencing has apertures greaterthan 13mm (but less than 100mm) the fence is tobe a minimum of 2.4m in height.Ground Clearance: The space between thefinished ground level and the bottom of thefencing shall not exceed 100mm.Horizontal Members: Substantially horizontalsurfaces such as rails and bracings that could beused as holds for climbing, must be situated onthe inside of the fencing and at least 900mm apart.If situated less than 900mm apart, the verticalmembers (uprights must be spaced no more than10mm apart.Inside Fencing: Any horizontal surfaces that arepermanently located near the inside of fencing andcould be used as holds for climbing must be at least300mm clear of the fence.Vertical Members: Spacing between uprightssuch as palings, rods or wires shall not exceed100mm at any point.Above Ground Pools: The walls of the pool shallbe an effective barrier if they are not less than 1.2min height and provide no climbable projections.However a fence and gate would be required to beinstalled around the pool ladder.Effective fencing heightDimension in millimetresGates and fittingsDirection of Opening: Gates shall be hung so thatthey swing outwards only, away from the pool area.Automatic Closing Device: All gates shall befitted with a device that will return the gate to theclosed position and operate the latching devicefrom any position with a stationary start and withoutmanual force. The closing device shall be capableof complying with these requirements with thegate at any position, from resting on the latchingmechanism, to fully open.Latching Device: Gates shall be fitted with a selflatching device that will automatically operate onthe closing of the gate and will prevent the gatefrom being re-opened without manually releasingthe mechanism.Location of Latching Device: The latch or itsrelease should be located at 1.5m above finishedground level.Where the latching device is located at a height lessthan 1.5m above finished ground level, the locationof the latching device and its release shall:a) not be on the outside of the fencing;b) be in such a position that to release the latchingmechanism from the outside it will be necessary toreach over or through the fencing at a height greaterthan 1.2m above finished ground level; andc) be at least 150mm below the top of the fencing, ord) be at least 150mm away from the edge of anyhand hole opening.Where the gate is of open construction and the latchrelease below 1.5m, the latch must be shielded sothat no opening greater than 10mm occurs within anarea bound by:a) a circular area with a radius of 450mm from theoperating parts of the latch; andb) the top of the fence, if this intersects the areadescribed in (a) (see diagram overleaf).