Anyone with a swimming pool will know that it’s a legal requirement to fence off the pool area to keep young children safe.
We will soon begin our next round of swimming pool fence inspections. Now is the time to check if your fence is compliant. It should:
- Be at least 1.2m in height or 1.8m if it is on a property boundary
- Be strong and rigid with no gaps more than 100mm
- Have a gate that is at least 1.2m in height, opens away from the pool and has a self-closing latch set at 1.5m or on the inside of the gate
- Be clear of anything that might be climbable by at least 1.2m.
Any pool capable of holding water to a depth of 400mm or more must have a compliant pool fence.
The only exceptions are above ground pools with walls that are at least 1.2m high and free from any climbable features and small heated pools such as spa pools fitted with a safety cover and which have a surface area of five square metres or less and walls that are at least 760mm high and cannot be easily climbed.
If you are thinking of putting a pool in, you must apply for a building consent for the fencing. You may also need a consent for the pool depending on your construction method.
Council is mandated to inspect pool fencing to ensure compliance with the Building Act. Inspections happen every three years. Letters will be sent out to arrange a date for the inspection and an invoice for inspection costs will follow.
If you have any enquiries, or for advice on building a pool, please contact the building team on 03 680 0000 or email building@waimatedc.govt.nz. For more information on fencing, please visit building.govt.nz/poolsafety.
