As you may know, homeowners have a duty of responsibility if they have a pool on their property. If you're thinking about introducing one to take advantage of the upcoming season, what options do you have to secure the area and what do you have to bear in mind to minimise risk?

Safety Laws

Australian regulations specify that pool fencing needs to surround any facility like this and be of a minimum height. The rules are designed to protect smaller children, who may not be able to physically scale the fence, but they should not be considered a barricade by any means, especially when it comes to older children. If you are installing a pool fence it needs to be at least 1200 mm in height. Furthermore, if there are any protrusions or level surfaces within or nearby that would allow someone to gain an extra foothold, then they will need to be removed or the height of the fence increased.

Manufacturing Requirements

The fence itself will need to be manufactured to Australian safety standards, so that the ingredients are strong enough to withstand normal usage. In particular, the glass needs to be toughened rather than laminated, so that it will resist any impact. Of course, no glass is completely damage proof and while laminated glass is more likely to crack rather than break, toughened glass is many times stronger so it is far more likely to remain intact during those extreme events.

Bear in Mind

While the stringent rules are designed to keep children as safe as possible, there is no substitute for education. Make sure that you "drum it in" as often as you can, so that any kids who are in the vicinity of the pool are aware of the risks.

Installation

With safety out of the way, you need to focus on other practical materials and installation. You should choose a frame that is powder coated, as this will stand up to weather conditions more effectively over time, especially if you are based in coastal areas. Note that stainless steel products may suffer from surface rust which will not affect them structurally, but will nevertheless detract from their appearance. Powder coating will not only help to keep fences in good condition, but is available in a variety of different colours and is relatively easy to keep clean using conventional detergents.

Who to Work with

Always work with pool fencing specialists when you get your pool fencing installed, as they will have the right balance of knowledge, experience and qualifications to ensure that you meet the very high quality and safety standards laid down by government.