Local Safety Requirements for Pools

Did you know that many Australian states and territories have different requirements for pools? Did you know that there are safety standards in place to protect the people who use these areas?

Check with your municipality to find out if you need a permit for the pool

You can check from your local authority with regard to the swimming area that is being constructed on your property. It is very important to get a compliance certificate from the local authority once you have completed building a pool on a property which belongs to you. You can also check with them regarding any local safety requirements such as fencing, gate etc.

If you're planning on building a new house and want to include a swimming area, it is important that you contact your local council before anything else, as they will be able to let you know if there are any restrictions or not. Getting a pool safety inspection in Sydney after construction is vital, so that you can apply for a certificate of conformity.

Make sure there are no cracks in its foundation

The pool foundation could have cracks in it which may lead to flooding if not fixed. Make sure that the foundation is solid and there are no cracks which could lead to flooding in heavy rain or storms.

Add safety features like fences, gates, and alarms

There are many required safety features that you need to take care of if you have a swimming area in your home. These include

 Fences - Fencing should be at least four feet tall and not be able to trap a child's head.

 Gates - Gates should open outwards so that it cannot fall on people.

 Alarms - Alarms are important because they will alert you if someone is in the water even when you're not around. Make sure the alarm works properly because it could be dangerous if it doesn't.

 Main drain cover - the main drain should have a strong, secure grate to prevent accidents. This is especially important for hot tubs and spas because people can fall into these drains very easily due to their depth differences.

 Make sure they're up to code so you don't get fined later on down the road by local authorities checking everything out before issuing permits. The good news is that doing a pool inspection in Sydney costs much less than what city officials will fine you, hence it's worth getting done.

 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) - GFCIs save lives. The electrical outlet or junction box should be checked to make sure that the GFCI is properly installed and functioning. Equivalent devices can also be installed as long as they function in a similar way by preventing hazardous current from reaching people through water contact. This ensures safety for those who are around these areas, especially children, since kids like playing with outlets and such things at their age. This device senses any sort of electricity discrepancy between two points on an electric circuit which it then interrupts power flow if there's one present so you don't get electrocuted.

Install a filter system to keep debris out of the water

A filter system will keep the water clear of contaminants. It also helps keep the water clean and will prevent you from having to drain it as often. You should have your filter backwash once a week or more depending on how much dirt is in your water supply.

Keep an eye on children around pools

Whenever children are in and around the swimming area, you should be watching them carefully as they're most likely to drown when unsupervised. You should teach your children about safety measures and make sure they know how to act safely around the water.

The most important safety requirement for pools is that there must always be at least one adult supervision in the area where children can swim. This means that no child under 14 years old can go into or near water without an adult present and watching them carefully. It's best if this person doesn't get distracted by other things like talking on their phone while supervising kids around water. Life rings and arm bands with air chambers are often used to prevent possible drowning accidents.

This is one of the reasons that alarm systems are important as well, because if a child goes into the area unsupervised, then the alarm will go off and let you know that someone is in the water.

Test your emergency equipment regularly so that it is always ready when needed

All your emergency equipment should be checked and ready to use when you need it. For example, your pool alarm system should be tested every day and the batteries of any lifesaving equipment such as a life ring or arm bands should also be checked to ensure they are full.

For the safety of your family, it is important to be informed on any local requirements for pools. These may include fencing or signage that are required by law.