On-Going Maintenance – 4 ignored areas that could affect your Pool Compliance

Home owners of properties with a Swimming Pool should be aware that even a previously compliant pool enclosure can become non- compliant for a variety of reasons.  If you don’t have a regular maintenance program, here are some tips as to where to start.

Gaps below a Barrier exceeding 100mm due to:

• Ground below the Barrier has washed away in wet weather.
• Ground below the Barrier moving, settling or subsiding.
• A child or pet has lowered soil levels below the barrier.
• Filling materials placed below the Barrier have dislodged.

Gates not self-closing or self-latching due to:

• Not enough tension applied to the hinge springs.
• The latching mechanism or gate hinges are faulty or damaged.
• Misalignment of the gate latching mechanism due to a child swinging on the gate.
• Misalignment due to movement of the gate post with upheaval, settlement or subsidence of ground or pavement.
• The gate binding on overgrown vegetation or grass growing to a length which impedes the gate operation.
• The gate propped in an open position to allow convenient access into the Pool enclosure.

(When non ancillary structures are located within the bounds of the enclosure, such as a outdoor laundry with clothes line or BBQ’s & dining facilities,  this can encourage the propping of the gate.  These are the type of activities that can distract from active supervision of the Pool area).

Deterioration or damaged Barrier components due to:

• Bent vertical bars due to impact damage. Bent bars lose tensile strength & rigidity to the point where a child can squeeze between the bars.
• Rusting Barrier Panels which reduces the strength & rigidity; rusting can also create sharp surfaces which can cause an injury.
• Missing or loose barrier components (screws and brackets). All fixings must be in place.
• Poor installation of the Barrier such as insecure secure anchor/ footing into the ground or unstable ground.
• The Boundary Fence leans. Fencing is not intended to retain soil. Eventually the fence will succumb to the pressures applied to it by the ground being retained.

Non- climbable or exclusion Zones compromised due to:

• Fast growing trees or shrubs that encroach into the barriers Non-Climbable or Exclusion Zones.
• Placement of objects (such as chairs Plant Pots, shrubs, raised garden beds, garden edging, paving, etc. ) that reduce the barriers height.
• The erection or addition of wire mesh attached onto the barrier to prevent a pet entering the pool area. This creates hand/foot holds within the height of the Barrier.
• Hedges planted within the barriers Non- climbable or exclusion Zones.