Security fencing for your pool

With more and more homeowners installing backyard swimming pools every year, the need for mandatory pool fencing has lead led to a demand for more options in pool fencing designs and materials with the most popular being wrought iron, powder coated aluminium, colorbond and now stylish glass panels.

Better safety features have also evolved and approved pool fences are safer than ever so long as pool owners follow the safety guidelines and practice diligence around the pool, especially when children are present.

Fencing: Tips on pool safety

While homeowners want an attractive pool fence that will offer them a degree of privacy as well, they should make themselves very aware of the stringent guidelines to ensure that their fence complies with the currents safety standards. The five most important rules to follow are:

• Choose a style of fence that cannot be climbed
• Ensure the fence is at least 1.2m tall
• Make sure that the space between the railings/uprights does not exceed 100mm. The gap between the ground and the bottom of the fence must also be no more than 100mm
• Gates must open outwards
• Gates must be self closing and have self latching/locking devices with the latches at least 1.5m above the ground

These safety standards must be followed in order to ensure your pool fence complies with the current laws on pool fencing.

Further pool safety precautions

Another important factor that many pool owners overlook is fence maintenance. Like any other structure, pool fences can also deteriorate over time due to age and the elements and fencing experts strongly recommend a thorough check of the fence at least once every 12 months to ensure that all the proponents are still secure. A yearly inspection will allow you to detect any weak points that could become an access point for a small child or the family pet. If you do find something amiss, you should organise the repair as soon as possible.

In an effort to raise people's awareness about the safety issues and correct pool fencing, The Royal Life Saving Society of Australia has put together a special checklist on pool fence safety and anyone in Australia can download it.