It is the year of 2019 now. As a pool owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all necessary pool fence requirements are met. One of the pool safety regulations in NSW is to acquire a pool compliance certificate and to complete a pool safety inspection.
In most of the cases, getting a pool compliance certificate in NSW is necessary. A pool compliance certificate can be obtained through pool compliance and safety inspections.
Here are some of the useful and valuable articles created in 2018 (but suitable for the year of 2019) that help you get Pool Safety Certificate NSW through inspection, which also provides in-depth knowledge of pool compliance regulations in NSW. (Click here to learn how to comply with NSW pool regulation in 2018)
Summary of Pool Safety Booklet NSW to Avoid Penalty
To have a compliant pool, an information booklet was developed in NSW. This information booklet is used to guide the general public when it comes to pool safety requirements and other related topics such as pool compliance certificate and pool fence inspection. Below is a short summary regarding pool compliance certificate and the related inspection:
Pool certificates under Swimming Pool Act 1992
Pool owners are required to have their pools inspected by local council or an accredited private certifier. Once the inspection is complete, the council or the accredited private pool certifier will issue a certificate of compliance or a certificate of non-compliance.
Australian Standard on Pool Fence in NSW Explained
To reduce the cases of pool accidents and drowning in Australia, the local Government has been exerting more efforts to enforce pool laws and regulations.
History of Swimming Pools Act in NSW
The Swimming Pools Act in NSW was amended for a few times to improve and ensure safety especially to kids under 5 years old.
Swimming pools act 1990
Swimming Pools Act 1992
Swimming Pools Amendment Act 2009
Swimming Pools Amendment Act 2012
Swimming Pools Regulations 2018
Aside from the Swimming Pools Act, Australian Standards were published to further explain the law.
Australian standard for pool fencing
Australian Standard AS 1926-1986
Australian Standard AS 1926.1-2007
Australian Standard AS 1926.1-2012
After knowing the Australian Standards on Pool & Spa Fencing and Gate in NSW, it is also important to learn about the pool safety certificate and pool inspection. This is to avoid penalties and make sure that your pool is safe to use.
Quick Guide on Getting Compliance Certificate for Your Pool in NSW
Obtaining a safety certificate is one way to know that your pool meets all the necessary pool legislation requirements. This certificate is issued after a comprehensive pool inspection.
Before asking for a private certifier to conduct the inspection, you can self-assess your pool in advanced. The Swimming Pool Register website provides a checklist so that pool owners can assess their pools by themselves.
What is a pool safety inspector?
Pool compliance inspectors are responsible for inspecting swimming pools and spas to know if it complies the necessary pool safety standards. If the pool is found to be un-compliant, expensive fines will be charged to the pool owner. Apart from that, a certificate of non-compliance will be issued by the certifier.
On the other hand, if your pool meets all the relevant regulation requirements, your private inspector will issue a Certificate of Compliance.
What is a swimming pool compliance certificate?
A swimming pool certificate of compliance is issued to all in-ground pools, above ground pools, indoor, portable pools and spa pools (capable of being filled with 300mm of water or more) if they meet the required pool safety regulations. Certificate of compliance can be obtained after a comprehensive pool inspection.
Why do you need a pool compliance certificate?
Obtaining a compliance certificate is important since it is one of the pool safety requirements that pool owners should follow. Aside from that, having a certificate of compliance means that your pool has meet the safety standard enforced by law and safe to use.
How to obtain certificate of compliance for a pool?
A certificate of compliance can be obtained after a successful pool compliance inspection. It can be done by a private certifier. Other requirements to obtain a compliance certificate under the pool safety regulation include the following:
o Pool must be registered on the NSW Swimming Pools Register
o Pool must be surrounded by a compliant child-resistant barrier
o Pool must display a clear warning and resuscitation sign.
Things you need to know on getting a pool fence certification
1. Why do you need to coordinate with a pool certifier?
A pool certifier is responsible for inspecting and making sure that your pool meets all the pool related legal requirements. It is important to coordinate with an accredited pool certifier in order to obtain a Pool Fence Certificate of Compliance. See advantage of a private pool inspector over local council here
2. What to do if you own a pool?
If you are a pool owner, make sure to:
o Post CPR instructions near the pool.
o Keep toys away from the water when they are not in use so that children are not tempted to enter the pool alone.
o Secure pool covers when the pool is not in use, and make sure they are completely removed before anyone uses the pool.
o Keep basic safety equipment such as a pole, rope, and flotation devices near the pool area and make sure everyone knows how to use it in case of emergency happening.
3. When should you arrange an pool inspection?
To prevent injuries and accidents in the pool, you should consider arranging an pool safety inspection as soon as possible.
4. What do a pool certifier inspects?
Here are some of the things your pool inspector should check:
o CPR Signage
o Pool fence height
o Location of pool fence
o Pool fence vertical gaps
o Pool fence gap at bottom
o Self-closing latching devices
For more information about getting a pool fence certification, see more here.
Knowledge about pool certification that help you avoid penalty
Violating pool compliance regulations can result in paying expensive fines. To avoid that, here are some important topics you that you must know.
Leasing a property
Before leasing a property with a pool, the owner is required to obtain a certificate of safety before the lease agreement form is signed.
Selling or purchasing a property
For owners who are planning to sell their property with a pool, they should provide their buyer with a compliance certificate before settlement. For pools with non-compliance certificate, the buyer will be given 90 days to comply and obtain a pool compliance certificate.
Penalties
Pool owners who fail to comply will be charged up to $2,200. The same law also applies to pools that are not registered. For non-compliant pools, a penalty of $5,000 will be charged.
Websites That You Can Learn About NSW Pool Compliance and Safety
To guide pool owners, here are 6 helpful websites that creates valuable contents about pool compliance and inspection.
1. Swimming Pool Register – a website where pool owners register their pools. It has also inspection guidelines and other important information regarding pool compliance.
2. NSW Fair Trading – this site provides valuable details regarding pool safety regulations, pool compliance and safety tips and many more.
3. Royal Life Saving Society – Royal Life Saving Society is a non-profitable organisation that provides information on national drowning reports, educational awards and water safety skills.
4. Building Professionals Board – BPB is the government authority who accredits and regulates private certifiers in NSW. Their website also gives information about swimming pool and certification.
5. SPASA – their website also provides information concerning swimming pool and spa industry.
6. My Pool Safety – a reliable pool certifier that provides inspection and repair services (Sydney based servicing NSW area). Apart from that, they also provide relevant information about pool compliance certification and inspection NSW on its website and blog.
Conclusion
Obtaining a pool compliance certificate through inspection is an indication that your pool is safe to use especially for the kids. You can also avoid paying expensive fines in NSW.
It will be fast and easy to cooperate with a reliable pool safety inspector regarding your pool compliance certification. They will conduct a comprehensive pool inspection and pool repair services, if needed.