Swimming pools are a sophisticated and elegant element to a home, and can elevate the outdoor area of a property.

Swimming pools are a sophisticated and elegant element to a home, and can elevate the outdoor area of a property.

However, much like every industry, having a swimming pool comes with regulations that need to be adhered to. 

In recent years, Australian Standards in Western Australia acknowledged the increased risk that comes with a swimming pool. In this article, we are offering an insight into the pool safety regulations of Western Australia, and what this might mean for you. 

An overview

Pre-May 2016: Pools that were constructed prior to 2016 need to comply with the code AS1926.1 – 1993.A concession exists for pools that were constructed, installed or approved prior to 5 November 2001 that allows a wall that includes a door to be used as part of the barrier providing that door complies with AS 1926.1-1993.

Post-May 2016: Swimming pools that were constructed after 2016 need to adhere to regulations that state a need for compliance with the Building Code of Australia. Reference -  AS1926.1-2012 details the minimum requirements applicable to swimming pool barriers. 

Is your swimming pool non-compliant? 

We encourage you to ask yourself these questions. 
 

• Are your gates and doors to the pool self-closing?
• Are your gates and your doors no longer self-latching?
• Are the gates to your pool propped open?
• Are there any climbable objects near the pool barrier? 

If you answered no to at least one of these, the chances are your swimming pool is non-compliant to the Building Code of Australia.

Practical resources every tenant and landlord should have 

Building Commision of WA - Rules for Pools: 

You can visit www.spasawa.com.au/ industry/pool-safety to download a copy of the Rules for Pools manual. 

SPASA WA Pools Safety Checklist:  

Ensure you conduct a self-assessment of your swimming pool and its surroundings to ensure it is safe for everyone in your home. You can do this by downloading the SPASA WA Pools Safety Checklist.

Landlords and tenants should ensure that a pool  barrier (that complies with Australian Standards and WA legislation) is installed and maintained around any pool with a depth greater than 30cm. It is imperative to note that landlords and tenants share the responsibility to ensure that pool barriers are in proper working order.

At Thought Leaders Real Estate, we want to ensure our clients get the most seamless experience, both as a tenant and as a landlord. Get in touch with our team today. You can also read the value of Landlord Insurance in our recent article here.