Owning a pool in New Zealand comes with the responsibility of ensuring its safety, especially when it comes to protecting young children from the dangers of drowning. Understanding the pool fencing requirements outlined in the New Zealand building code, particularly clause F9, is crucial for all pool owners.
Residential Pool Fence Regulations
According to clause F9 of the building code, all residential pools with a water depth of 400mm or more must have measures in place to restrict access by children under 5 years old. This includes both permanent and temporary pools, such as inflatable or portable pools.
Immediate Pool Area Regulations
The immediate pool area is defined as the land where the pool is located and its surrounding area used for pool-related activities. It’s important to note that areas not directly associated with the pool, such as clotheslines or vegetable gardens, should not be part of the immediate pool area.
Key Considerations for Pool Fencing
When installing a pool fence on your property, there are several key considerations to keep in mind:
- The barrier must be at least 1200mm high.
- Gaps from the ground to the fence must be less than 100mm.
- No climbable objects should be within 1200mm of the fence.
- The fence must be unclimbable, with no horizontal gaps exceeding 10mm and no openings that a 100mm diameter sphere could pass through.
Additional Precautions for Boundary Fences
If a boundary fence forms part of your pool area, additional precautions are necessary:
- Boundary fences must be 1800mm high on the pool side.
- They must have a 900mm high non-climbable zone on the pool side, starting no more than 150mm from the top.
- Boundary fences should be positioned at least 1000mm away from the water’s edge.
Pool Gate Requirements
All gates providing access to the pool area must:
- Open outward.
- Be at least 1200mm high.
- Self-close and latch securely.
Access from Buildings
If your house or another building on your property forms part of the pool fence/barrier, you must ensure that access from those buildings into the pool enclosure is restricted. For example, windows opening into the pool area should have stays limiting their opening, and doors should be self-closing or fitted with alarms.
Inspections
To prevent unnecessary drownings, compliance checks on all residential pools are conducted every three years. This ensures that barriers, fences, self-closing gates, and latches are in proper working order.
Conclusion
Understanding and complying with pool fencing regulations in New Zealand is essential for all pool owners. By following these regulations, you can help ensure the safety of your pool area and prevent accidents from occurring. Remember, pool safety is everyone’s responsibility, so be sure to regularly maintain your pool fencing and gates to keep them secure and compliant with regulations.
For expert advice on pool fencing regulations NZ, contact Royal Glass today. You can send an email to info@royalglass.co.nz or ring 0800 769 254.
