There are a number of different designs for pool barriers which comply with Building Code clause F9.

The materials you use are optional, however they must be able to withstand pressure or impact and must be durable in the long term.

For glass barriers you’ll also need to consider other relevant areas of the Building Code.

Your pool barrier must

  • restrict access to the pool and immediate pool area
  • be at least 1200mm or more above the outside ground level
  • be more than 1200 mm away from any permanent projections placed on the ground (eg steps, ledges, retaining walls, raised gardens, other objects)
  • not have any gaps larger than 100mm in or under, including pet doors
  • have horizontal rails 900mm or more apart when the rail is accessible from the outside of the barrier.

All measurements must be taken at 90 degrees from ground level.

Barriers using steel wire mesh or trellis:

  • up to 1800mm high – may only have 13mm maximum size openings
  • at least 1800mm high – may have a maximum of 35mm size openings

Refer Figure 1: Acceptable pool barriers from the F9 Acceptable Solution for some examples on how you can meet the minimum requirements using different designs of pool barriers.

Important – you will need to make sure that your barrier still meets the minimum requirements if there is a change in ground level or other objects on the outside of the pool barrier. Refer Figure 2:

Determining pool barrier height from the F9 Acceptable Solution.

Pool gates

Pool gates need to

  • open away from the pool area
  • comply with the rules for fences
  • swing clear of any obstruction that may hold it open
  • have a self-closing device that closes and latches the gate shut from any position.

Gate latches need to

  • latch automatically when the gate closes so that the gate can only be opened manually
  • be 1500mm above the ground and any objects within 1200mm of the barrier when accessible from outside the pool area,
  • be1200mm when only accessible by reaching over the top of the gate
  • be at least 150mm from the top, or be shielded, of the latch is accessible only by reaching over the gate

For more detail refer Figure 3: Acceptable means of protecting a latch as viewed from the pool side from the F9 Acceptable Solution.

Boundary fencing

Boundary fences can be used as pool barriers as long as they

  • are located over 1000mm from the water’s edge, and
  • are at least 1800mm (1.8m) high from ground level on the pool side (measured from the top of the deck, paving or other permanent structures close to the boundary fence), and
  • have no gaps or openings of more than 100mm, and
  • have a 900mm climb-free zone without indentations/protrusions greater than 10mm on the pool side of the barrier, measured from any starting point within 150mm from the top of the fence.

Boundary fencing with climb free zone

If your pool barrier has a junction with a boundary fence you’ll need to consider

  • the height of the pool fence, and
  • the distance the pool fence projects out from the boundary fence.

There’s no Building Code acceptable solution for this scenario, so you’ll need to use an alternative solution which will meet the performance requirements of F9.

If you can’t meet the above criteria you’ll need to

  • consider building a complying barrier between the pool and boundary fence, or
  • come up with an acceptable alternative solution approved by the Council.

Building walls

Walls of buildings can form part of the swimming pool barrier.

When these walls have openings within them that can give access to the pool area (eg doors and windows) they need to be made safe.

Windows within 2400mm above the pool area need either

  • the lower edge of the opening 1000mm or more above the inside floor level with no protrusions underneath of any more than 10mm, or
  • be fitted with a restrictor that reduces the opening to no more than 100mm, or
  • a screen fitted over the opening where a 100mm sphere can’t pass through any gaps.

Doors giving access to pool area should

  • have an opening no wider than 1000mm, and
  • be sliding or side hinged, and
  • either have a self-closing device or an audible alarm that starts 7 seconds after the latch is released and resets when the door is closed and latched, and
  • be fitted with a self-latching device 1500mm or more above the inside floor level that works the same way as a pool gate.

If the pool is on commercial property (eg hotel, motel, hostel, etc), in addition to the above a sign must be place adjacent to the inside door handle.

eg

Pool walls as barriers

The wall of a pool can be used as a complying barrier as long as they

  • are a minimum of 1200mm high, and
  • have no climbing supports within 1200mm of the pool, and
  • there are no indentations or protrusions greater than 10mm on the side of the pool.

Any ladder or other means of access to the pool must be surrounded with a pool barrier that meets the requirements of F9 (restricting access to residential pools).