Pool Safety Standards Need to be Clear as Water

Adelaide, South Australia (PRWEB) February 05, 2013

A growing number of South Australians don’t have a clear understanding of pool safety and fencing standards, leading pool manufacturer and installer Australian Outdoor Living says.

Australian Outdoor Living Pool Division General Manager Michael Robinson said clients were most often unclear of pool safety and fencing requirements when they called to enquire about a pool.

“There has been a wave of enquiries with the recent heat spell and South Australians are looking for more guidance when it comes to fencing, safety and the best process to take,” he said.

“In the construction phase we provide a pool safety fence, which meets Australian standards, and we also recommend qualified fencing contractors to install the permanent pool fence as they are across the latest State and Federal Government pool safety fencing regulations.

“In addition every family leisure pool has a 100mm safety ledge, which is 450mm beneath the water line to give children confidence in the pool, this is combined with a non-slip finish on the steps and the floor.

“It is vital to keep our children safe in the water and we work for months with each client to ensure that the highest possible pool safety standards are met.”

A snapshot of the latest pool safety regulations:

• All swimming pools must have a continuous safety barrier maintained by the pool owner that restricts access by young children to the pool;
• If you are a property owner and are selling a property with a pool built before July 1993 you must make sure that the safety barrier meets today’s standard for new pools;
• Fencing must be constructed so that the outside fence is an effective barrier to children, it is permanent, young children can’t crawl under or climb over using props, it is at least 1.2 metres high and;
• Any boundary fences used as part of the child-safety barrier are at least 1.8 metres high on either side with a 900mm non-climbable zone, which may be located at the top inside of the boundary fence if it is at least 1.8 metres high on the inside;
• Gates must swing outward from the pool area, be self closing from any position and fitted with a latching device out of reach of small children at least 1.5 metres above ground level.
• Further information on the updated rules can be downloaded at http://www.kidsafesa.com.au

Mr Robinson said there has been a 60 per cent spike in pool enquiries, prompting a record number of home owners to take the plunge and purchase an in-ground swimming pool from SA’s leading home improvements company.

“With South Australia experiencing a longer and warmer summer than normal and daytime temperatures above average, we expect the high level of pool enquiries to continue as families try and beat the heat,” he said.

“This means more children will also be enjoying a pool for the first time and their safety needs to be top of the priority list for anyone considering a pool.

“That’s where we can step in to inform clients of the regulations and guide them in the right direction to achieve absolute safety and peace of mind.”

Australian Outdoor Living is the exclusive SA dealership of Australia’s premier name in pools, Barrier Reef Pools, which is the largest fibreglass pool manufacturer in the country and comes with a 25-year structural warranty.

"A swimming pool from Australian Outdoor Living is a quality investment and can be installed within four weeks after council approval, and many of our customers also purchase heating to extend the amount of time they can swim during the year," Mr Robinson said.

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