Small heated pools (eg spa pools and hot tubs) can use a safety cover as the barrier, so long as the pool

  • has a water surface area 5m2 or less, and
  • side walls from top to ground level is 760mm or more above ground level, and
  • can’t be easily climbed – ie
    • no climbable objects within 760mm of the edge of the pool
    • no ridges, overhangs, indentations or similar greater than 10mm, and
  • has a cover that restrict entry of children under five years of age when closed that
    • is held in place with lockable snap fasteners with a minimum width of 35mm,
    • can’t be lifted to create a gap more than 100mm when the locks are in place,
    • can support a point load of 20kg, and
    • is sloped so that water can’t pond on top, and
  • has warning signage on at least two sides of the pool – eg

Spa pool warning signage example

Check if your pool meets the requirements for a small heated pool.

Note: inflatable hot tubs or spa pools will generally require a fence as the covers do not meet the requirements in F9/AS2 for small, heated pools.