Many Australias enjoy the luxury of their own personal swimming pool or spa on their property. However, these recreational areas can be deadly, especially to small children.
What you should do if you have an existing Swimming Pool or Spa
Your swimming pool or spa will fall into one of the following three categories.
CATEGORY
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DESCRIPTION
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REQUIREMENTS
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| 1 |
You have a swimming pool/spa with a fence/barrier that is already included in the Shire of Gingin’s mandatory 4-yearly inspection program |
You don't need to do anything. |
| 2 |
You have a swimming pool/spa with a fence/barrier that is not included in the Shire of Gingin’s mandatory 4-yearly inspection program |
You need to notify the Shire of Gingin in writing by email or letter.
The Shire of Gingin staff will contact you to book a swimming pool barrier inspection. When your swimming pool barrier passes the inspection your compliant swimming pool barrier will then be included in the Shire of Gingin’s mandatory 4-yearly inspection program. Incorporating the pool into the inspection program will assist in ensuring that safety barriers comply with the requirements of Part 8 of the Building Regulations 2012.
*NOTE - the Shire of Gingin is keen to assist all parties to achieve compliant safety barriers. Details of the requirements are detailed in a handbook available from the Building Commission which falls under the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Building and Energy. The handbook is known as ‘Rules for Pools and Spas’ and is available online - click here to view.
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| 3 |
You have a swimming pool/spa that does not have a fence/barrier |
You need to notify the Shire of Gingin in writing by email or letter.
You will need to install a compliant swimming pool/spa fence/barrier and advise the Shire of Gingin Building Department when it is complete.
Please note that a building permit from the Shire of Gingin is not required for existing pools/spas, however barriers must still be registered to be included on the Shire's 4-yearly inspection program.
The Shire of Gingin staff will then contact you to book a swimming pool barrier inspection. When your swimming pool barrier passes the inspection your compliant swimming pool barrier will then be included in the Shire of Gingin’s mandatory 4-yearly inspection program. Incorporating the pool into the inspection program will assist in ensuring that safety barriers comply with the requirements of Part 8 of the Building Regulations 2012.
*NOTE - refer to the handbook 'Rules for Pools and Spas' for further information about requirements - click here to view.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find information about compliant swimming pool fencing?
This information can be found in the hand book entitled Rules for Pools and Spas which is available from the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (Building and Energy).
How often will my pool and/or spa fencing be inspected?
The Shire of Gingin carries out inspections of swimming pool and spa fencing every 4 years for all properties, i.e. 2019, 2023, 2027, etc. will be inspection years. Property owners will be contacted prior to an inspection being carried out to book a suitable time for the inspection.
If the swimming pool or spa does not have a compliant fence it will be reported to the owner to carry out the required adjustments. Pool owners are encouraged to have their pool fencing ready for inspection prior to 1 July in an inspection year as further costs for inspections may be charged to the owner if the fencing is not compliant.
Do dams, water tanks or similar on a rural property require compliant pool fencing?
The Building Regulations 2012 Part 1 state:
‘Swimming Pool’ means any excavation or structure containing water and principally used, or designed, manufactured or adapted to be principally used for swimming, wading, paddling, or the like, including a bathing or wading pool, or spa.
Dams, water tanks, streams and the like on a rural property used for commercial/rural purposes are not included in this definition.
Do above ground pools require a building permit and fencing?
Yes, all swimming pools and spas with a depth over 300mm of water require compliant fencing. An above ground pool with non-climbable walls meeting the requirements of Part 8 of the Building Regulations 2012 may only require a pool fence and gate around the pump and ladder.
Can I manufacture my own pool fencing components?
Property owners can construct a swimming pool barrier/fence. However swimming pool barriers and gates are required to meet strict specifications. Please make sure the proposed barrier will be compliant to the requirements of Part 8 of the Building Regulations 2012 prior to construction.
Why have the Pool Fencing Regulations changed?
It is not unusual for the Regulation for the fencing of pools to change to include the whole of Shires.
As the metropolitan area has expanded many Shires including York, Northam, Toodyay and Chittering have also changed these regulations.
Due to the amount of deaths and long term injury to young children The West Australian Ombudsman recently conducted an investigation on ways to prevent these deaths. One of the recommendations (25) is that these amendments to the regulations apply to the whole of Western Australia, as per below:
Recommendation 25
The Building Commissioner considers an amendment to the Building Regulations 2012 to remove excluded areas so that regulation 50(1) of the Building Regulations 2012 applies to all owners and occupiers of premises throughout Western Australia. Alternatively, if such an amendment is not considered appropriate, the Building Commissioner works with relevant local governments in excluded areas to provide accurate advice regarding the need to provide swimming pool barriers as part of the relevant building permit.