Spa and above ground checklist

If your spa or above ground pool is lower than 1200mm high from finished ground level

You will need to fully fence your spa or pool. Please refer to our Checklist  so ensure that your pool complies with the new legislation.

If your spa or above ground pool is 1200mm or higher

Your spa or above ground pool may act as the barrier, however the normal entry point must still be fenced and gated. This must be done even if the steps are removable. There also must not be any toeholds less than 900mm apart on the sides of the unfenced portion of the spa or pool. A toe hold is anything longer or wider than 10mm.

Check that there are no horizontal ridges that could a child could use to climb. If there are they will either need to be shielded or a full compliant barrier will need to be put in place.

Pool Gates

  • Gates open away from the pool area.
  • Gates self-close from all positions from a standing start.
  • Gates self-latch properly. Including when it is only just open.
  • Gates operate in full arc of operation without getting stuck.
  • Hinges are at least 900mm apart or have a 60 degree hinge safety cap on the bottom hinge.
  • Gate latches on the outside are a minimum of 1500mm from the ground and at least 1400mm from the top bottom horizontal.
  • Gate latches on the inside are at least 150mm from the top of the gate.
  • Gate latches on the inside have a gap between the post and gate that does not exceed 10mm or is shielded.

Resuscitation Sign

  • Is made of durable and weatherproof materials.
  • Is at least 300mm x 300mm in size.
  • Is attached to the safety barrier for the pool, or displayed near the pool, so that the sign is easily visible to a person near the pool.
  • Has 000 emergency number
  • Includes a statement that is prominent on the sign, how to act in an emergency, staying with the injured person, calling for help and providing first aid.
  • Includes procedures for providing first aid and performing CPR in the way stated in CardiopulmonaryResuscitationSignGuideline.

Barrier around step area

  • The barrier is at least 1200mm high from finished ground level.
  • Panels, rails, rods and palings are in good order and all screws and/or nails are firmly in place.
  • Posts and/or footings are in good order and are solid. i.e. not rotting, rusted
  • Gaps in vertical bars and/or palings do not exceed 100mm in width or 105mm when squeezed.
  • Ground clearance under the barrier does not exceed 100mm.
  • Horizontal members are at least 900mm apart in the non-climb zone (or one has a 60 degree angle making it non-climbable).
  • Barriers have a 900mm non-climb zone somewhere on the entire barrier. i.e. bottom and middle rail are at least 900mm apart and there are no climbable objects between the rail area such as tree branches.
  • All climbable objects have been removed (or appropriately shielded) from the non-climb zone, additional clear area and clear area. i.e. BBQ’s, outdoor furniture, pot plants retainer walls.
  • Branches that a child could use to climb are trimmed back so that there is no chance of a foot hold.
  • There are no protruding bolts, hinges, power points or anything that is longer or wider than 10 mm that a child could use as a toe hold for climbing.
  • There is an additional clear area 300mm on the fence. Usually at the bottom of the 900mm arc i.e. no steps, pot plants etc.
  • For vertical members more than 10mm apart, there are not any nearby horizontal surfaces which could be used as footholds within 300mm on the inside non-climb zone of the  fence.
  • There are no climbable objects within 900mm of the fence on intersecting fences.

This does not cover all requirements of the pool safety laws, however the items listed are the most common faults that we find.