Pool fencing
Drowning is the most common cause of traumatic death in children aged under five years in Queensland. Approximately five toddlers drown in Queensland swimming pools every year. Almost all swimming pool drownings are preventable.
As the temperature increases, so too does the need to find a cool spot in which to relax and escape the heat, especially for children.
Many parents look to small inflatable pools for this relief but there are several issues parents should be aware of before buying these pools. Unfortunately, every year at Christmas time, a number of lives are lost around Australia due to children drowning in small pools. Sometimes, people just aren’t aware that it only takes a small amount of water for a child to drown.
Portable wading pools
Under the State Government's Standard Building Regulations (1993), any portable wading pool able to hold more than 450mm of water (or more than 2000 litres) has to be fenced and has to have a development permit.
No matter what the size, any swimming pool including spa pool should not hold water deeper than 300mm unless it complies with State regulations, which include having a 1.2m fence around the pool, as well as a self-closing and self-latching gate. These requirements apply to all existing pools as well.
Some portable wading pools may have exemptions, but it is always better to be on the safe side.
A portable wading pool is defined as:
- a pool capable of being filled with water to a depth of no more than 450mm;
- has a volume no more than 2000 litres; and
- has no filtration system.
If the pool does not comply with any of these conditions, then it is classed as a swimming pool and must be fenced. The pool and fence must then receive development approval and inspected by a building certifier prior to filled with water. It is very important people realise their responsibilities before they buy any sort of swimming pool - large or small
On-the-spot fines for inadequate fencing
Recent amendments to the state government's pool fencing requirements allow Council to issue on-the-spot fines of $700.00 to those pools that do not have adequate fencing.
If an existing approved pool fence has been demolished or removed, or is in substantial disrepair to the extent that it is impracticable to keep the fencing in good condition in accordance with the original approved standards, the pool owner must construct a new fence to comply with the current standard, and to obtain a certificate from a building certifier stating the fencing complies with the fencing standard.
Importantly, home owners should ensure that their arrangements with the pool building and the private building certifier ensure all necessary safety requirements are observed in the pool's construction.
More information about pool fencing laws
The Department of Local Government and Planning has set up a pool fencing web site to inform residents about pool fencing laws.
Preventing your pool from becoming a health concern
If you are not going to use the swimming pool anymore but you do not want to permanently get rid of it or, you are not going to use it for a while, say during winter, you have two options:
1. Keep the filtration and chlorination devices running as normal, so that:
- the pool water will not go stagnant and encourage mosquito breeding
- organic matter such as tree leaves that may have fallen into the pool does not have a chance to accumulate, decompose and cause a smell
- algae will not grow, decompose and cause a smell.
2. Take one or more of the following measures:
- keep the water in the pool covered or treated with kerosene, other suitable oil, or other suitable substance
- keep the water stocked with mosquito-larvae-destroying fish
- completely draw off or empty all water from the pool and allow the interior to dry, or thoroughly scrub all parts of the interior of the pool after emptying, at least once in every seven days.*
*In time, a drawn-off pool may crack or even collapse. Please consult a pool construction / maintenance consultant for advice.