Common Reasons For Failing A Pool Safety Inspection
Pool safety is a strictly regulated part of home ownership, and ensuring that your pool meets local safety regulations is something you should take seriously. After all, the high incidence of child drownings in home pools became such a serious concern that legal restrictions were put in place. Not abiding by them can cost you a hefty fine and put lives at risk. We have previously discussed how you can ensure you pass the inspection and get a pool safety certificate, Gold Coast. Today we’re going to look at the specific ways in which you could fail the inspection so that you can be extra aware of any possible oversights.
The Main Causes Of Failing A Pool Safety Inspection
According to reports from thousands of inspections over the years, the following issues were the most common reasons why homeowners didn’t meet the criteria of a pool safety inspection:
- The gate around the pool doesn’t self-close.
If the gate to your pool can be opened and doesn’t have a mechanism to swing closed and click into place by itself, you are likely to fail the test. Be sure to install a system that works on a spring coil or other mechanism that closes the gate and clips it securely in place.
- Improper gate latch height.
Children love to tinker with things, which is why the gate’s latch needs to be high enough to be well out of reach for toddlers and young children. There should also be no objects around or near the gate that could be used to climb onto and reach the latch.
- Incorrect Fence Height
The minimum height from finished ground level (a permanent stable surface) to the top of the barrier is 1200mm so make sure you comply.
- Climbable objects too close to the fence
For fences less than 1800mm high, climbable objects must be at least 900mm away from the pool barrier on the outside and, where the verticals are more than 10mm apart, 300mm on the inside. For fences at least 1800mm high, the 900mm non-climbable zone may be on the inside of the fence and must be measured from the top of the inside.
- Pool cover not stored at the specified distance.
Your pool cover needs to be stored in close proximity to your pool, either right beside it or nearby.
- Emergency resuscitation sign not clearly displayed by the pool.
All pools must, by law, have a sign up with instructions for resuscitation in case of an emergency. It also needs to be placed in a high-visibility area so that it is immediately apparent to anyone in or around the pool. If your sign has been overgrown or obstructed by any item, you are likely to fail the inspection.
Prepare For Your Pool Safety Inspection
If you are due for a new pool safety certificate on the Gold Coast be sure to keep the above points in mind and make all the necessary preparations to pass your inspection the first time. Should you fail your inspection, you will be allowed a short grace period to make corrections to your home pool area and then have another chance to obtain your pool safety certificate.
Contact us at www.pacificsmokealarms.com.au for further information or to book an inspection.