Swimming Pool Inspection Checklist (AS1926.1-1986)

Information

Swimming Pool Application No.
Applicant / Owner Details
Site Address
Date of Inspection
Type of property
- Caravan Park
- Dual Occupancy
- Single Dwelling/House
- Motel/Hotel
- Multi-residential
- Tourist/Visitor Accommodation
Issue to
Issuing Officer
- Gary Groenewald
- Gerald Bourke - BDC1052
- Chris Prendergast - BDC1445
- Phil Clark - BDC1058
- Daniel Holloway - BDC1221
- Gary Gee - BDC1500
- Mark Roworth - bdc1527
What year of construction is the barrier being assessed against?
- AS1926.1 - 1986- Installed before 1 September 2008
- AS 1926.1 - 2007 - Installed between 1 September 2008 and 30 April 2013
- AS1926.1 - 2012 - Pool barrier installed after 1 May 2013
- Unknown - Assessed by AS1923.1 - 2012 - Pool barrier installed after 1 May 2013
Has the pool barrier been modified since the pool was built?
Are the modifications minor works i.e., associated with ordinary maintenance? Examples include fixing a loose fence paling, a defective post, a locking mechanism that is out of line and not latching, or weakened springs.
If the answer is yes, then continue with AS1986 standard assessment of the barrier
Is there evidence that the pool complied with the Standard in force when the major works were completed? Examples include alterations, reconfigurations or replacements because of e.g., rotted/rusted fence posts or rails, or collapsed fence panels, or other works affecting the structure or alignment of the barrier.
Apply the Standard in force when the major works were completed
Apply the current Standard (since the pool has never complied with the Standard)
Has the swimming pool been registered under Part 3A of the Act
Registration Number

General

Property Type
Pool Type?
- Above ground
- Inground
- Portable or Inflatable
- Spa
- Indoor Pool
- Indoor/Outdoor
Walls of above ground swimming pools are not classified as an effective barrier as outlined in the Building Code of Australia NSW variation
Savings Clause (S23 Regs 2008) - Has the barrier been substantially altered or changed since 1 September 2008?
BARRIER MUST BE ASSESSED UNDER STANDARD APPLICABLE WHEN ALTERATIONS OR CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE BARRIER.

1 September 2008 - 30 April 2013 (AS 1926-2007)
1 May 2013 - (AS 1926-2012)
Are the modifications minor works i.e., associated with ordinary maintenance? Examples include fixing a loose fence paling, a defective post, a locking mechanism that is out of line and not latching, or weakened springs.
Is there evidence that the pool complied with the Standard in force when the major works were completed? Examples include alterations, reconfigurations or replacements because of e.g., rotted/rusted fence posts or rails, or collapsed fence panels, or other works affecting the structure or alignment of the barrier.
Apply the Standard in force when the major works were completed
Apply the current Standard (since the pool has never complied with the Standard)

Exemptions

Is an exemption being sought? Section 8 Exemption for pools constructed prior to August 1990 and existing pools on small properties. If the pool was constructed or installed before 1 August 1990 or the pool was constructed or installed before 1 July 2010 and is situated on a premises having an area of less than 230 square metres. The barrier is not required to separate the pool from the residential buildings as long as the door complies with the Swimming Pool Regulations 1998. Note: ceases to apply if a barrier is erected on the premises (between the swimming pool and residential building)
Section 9 Exemption for pools on large properties If the pool was constructed or installed before 1 July 2010 and is situated on a premises having an area greater than 2 Hectares. The swimming pool is not required to have a barrier as long as windows, walls and doors of the residential buildings comply with Regs 1998. Note: ceases to apply if a barrier is erected on the premises.
Section 10 Exemption for pool on waterfront properties. If the pool was constructed or installed before 1 July 2010 and is situated on a premises having frontage to a permanent large body of water? The swimming pool is not required to have a barrier as long as windows, walls and doors of the residential buildings comply with Regs 1998. Note: ceases to apply if a barrier is erected on the premises

Barrier

(1) Child resistant barrier must be in good repair - (S15 SPA1992) Has the barrier (including the gate & boundary fence) been maintained and is in a good state of repair? (eg. no holes, missing panels or broken rails)
(2) Barrier height - (cl 2.3 AS1926-1986) Is the Pool fence within the property (including the gate) a minimum 1200mm on the outside of the barrier from finished ground level (FGL).
(3) Barrier clear of projections - (cl 2.3 AS1926-1986) Has the outside of the internal barrier got a 1200mm radius measured out and down from the top of the barrier providing a clear span to finished ground level or any projections or objects on the ground? (Does not apply to dividing fences as per S5.3 of Swimming Pool Regulation2008)
(4) Use of perforated materials or mesh -(cl 2.9 AS1926-1986) Is the fence constructed of perforated materials or mesh (i.e. chain wire) with openings greater than 12mm?
Are the openings no greater than 50mm?
Is the barrier at least 1800mm from FGL topped with an additional 450mm section angled 135 degrees outside? (cl. 2.3 AS1926-1986)
(5) Horizontal Members - (cl. 2.6 AS1926-1986) Does fencing have vertical members greater than 100mm or contain horizontal components on the outside of the barrier providing a substantial horizontal surface (rails, rods, wires, bracing) that could be used as hand or foot hold?
Are there no horizontal surfaces within 300mm inside the barrier (cl. 2.6 AS1926-1986)
Are horizontal members greater than 900mm apart (cl.2.6 (a) AS1926-1986). Where there are two or more horizontal members, this measurement shall be made from the top surface oft the highest lower member to the top surface of the lowest upper member. Where the ground slopes, the distance between the top surface of the highest lower member and the top surface of the lowest upper member shall not be less than 900mm, measured perpendicular to the finished ground level.
Outside Surface - (cl 2.5 AS1926-1986) The outside surface of the barrier has no projections or indentations that can form a substantial horizontal surface greater than 10mm that is spaced less than 900mm apart
(6) Is the top surface of the highest lower horizontal at least 1100mm below the top of the barrier. (cl.2.6 (b) AS1926-1986)
(7) Ground clearance - (cl 2.4 AS1926-1986) The gap between the bottom of the fence and gate is no more than 100mm measured to the finished ground level and the surface beneath the barrier is permanent and not easily removed or eroded.
(8) Vertical components - (cl 2.7 A.S.1926.1-1986) The gaps between all vertical components do not exceed 100mm
(9) Strength & rigidity of openings - (S3 AS1926-1986) Do the child resistant barrier panels and gate show evidence of passing requirements for the strength and rigidity of openings?
- Not Applicable not an open style fence
- Yes - vertical bars show no sign of flex that will effect the opening size.
- Yes - Panels are stamped with AS 1926-2012
- Yes - Test device not used - certification produced
- No - test device used and failed at less than 150N
- No - Opinion of authorised officer is that the vertical members are too flexible

Gate Unit and Latch Fittings

(10) Security of closure - (cl 2.8.1 AS1926-1986) The gate cannot be pulled open or create opening greater then 100mm once latched?
(11) Operation of gates - (cl 2.8.2 AS1926-1986) Does the mounted gate unit open so that it swings outwards only, away from the pool area?
(12) Self Closing Device - (cl 2.8.3 AS1926-1986) The gate unit is self-closing and self-latching from any position with a stationary start (including resting on the latching device) and prevents the gate from being re-opened without manually releasing the mechanism or the application of manual force from any position.
(13) Location of latch - (cl 2.8.4, 2.8.5 AS1926-1986) Is the latching device located a minimum 1500mm above ground level, measured to the start of the release point?
(14) Is the latch shielded (No openings greater than 10mm) - (cl 2.8.6 AS1926-1986) Latch is: a) situated inside the pool area and b) shielded by a radius a minimum 450 mm from the latch release and c) located a minimum of 150mm from the top of the gate? Note: Any hand hole must be 1200mm above FGL and free of sharp edges.
(15) Gate hinges - (cl 2.6 AS1926-1986) Are all hinges which protrude out from the gate with a horizontal top surface (depth greater than 10mm) spaced a minimum 900mm apart and the top surface of the lower hinge is at least 1100mm below the top of the barrier. NOTE: AS 1926-1986 does NOT provide that angled capping (minimum 60* degrees) prevents foothold potential.
(cl 2.8.6 AS1926-1986) Are the edges of the adjacent parts of the shield on the gate and fence rounded or chamfered so as not to present a hazard when the gate closes?

Dwelling or associated building that form part of the pool barrier

Does the dwelling or associated buildings form part of the pool barrier at any point?
Do the walls of the residence contain no openings greater than 100mm
Does a window open into the pool area?
(16) Child-resistant window Are of substantial construction and are fixed (keyed locking device, bolt, latch or chain) that it has no opening greater than 100mm (cl.4.1 Regs 1998) Or Windows must be totally covered by a child-safe grill (no gaps greater than 100mm) or by a "fixed" child-safe flyscreen. (cl.6.5 Regs 1998) Note: If windows are required to meet ventilation requirement as per BCA they must be protected by child safe grills and mesh unless adequate alternative provisions are made to meet ventilation requirements.
- AS1926.1 - 1986- Installed before 1 September 2008
- AS 1926.1 - 2007 - Installed between 1 September 2008 and 30 April 2013
- AS1926.1 - 2012 - Pool barrier installed after 1 May 2013
- Unknown - Assessed by AS1923.1 - 2012 - Pool barrier installed after 1 May 2013
The height of the lowest opening panel be at least 1200mm from FFL (inside)
(17) Area below window - (S6.4(b) SP Regs 1998) The area 1100mm below the window sill contains no footholds wider than 10mm

Doors

Does a door from a residential building form part of the barrier.
SPA Exemption or indoor pool. Pool is an indoor pool or is subject to Exemptions under Section 8, 9 or 10 of the Swimming Pools Act 1992.
A door from a residential building cannot form part of the barrier.
A barrier is required to seperate the pool from residential buildings (S7 SPA1992)
Child-Safe Doors (cl.4.1 Regs 1998) a) Door is of substantial construction and in a good state of repair b) Must be latched when not in use c) Not contain any openings greater than 100mm within 1500mm of FFL.
Latching Device (cl.6.2 Regs 1998) Is the latching device for any door that forms part of the barrier, located a minimum 1500mm above the finished floor level and operable from both sides.
Footholds (cl 6.2 Regs1998) There are no footholds wider than 10mm between the release mechanism and any point 100mm above FFL. NOTE: A secondary latch is not considered as a foothold (cl.6.3 Regs 1998)

Non-Ancillary Structures

(32) Are there structures within the swimming pool area that are not ancillary to the swimming pool? ie. tool shed, garage, BBQ, clothesline (Appendix B AS1926.1/2007).

Warning Sign - CPR Signage

Capture a photograph of the warning sign
(29) Warning Notices - (S17 SPA 1992) Is there an appropriate warning sign, including details of resuscitation (CPR) techniques (30 compressions :2 rescue breaths ) , in the immediate vicinity of the pool area and which can be easily read from a distance of 3 metres?
(30a) Contents of warning notices - (part3 SP regs 2008) Does the Warning sign clearly display: A. YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD BE SUPERVISED WHEN USING THIS SWIMMING POOL B. POOL GATES MUST BE KEPT CLOSED AT ALL TIMES C. KEEP ARTICLES, OBJECTS AND STRUCTURES AT LEAST 900MM CLEAR OF THE POOL FENCE AT ALL TIMES.
(30b) (part 3 SP reg 2008 cl. 10(b)(i) Is there a simple flow chart (which may be the flow depicted in the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Guideline) containing details of resuscitation techniques that are set out in accordance with the guidelines of the Australian Resuscitation Council?
(30c) (part 3 SP reg 2008 cl.10 (1)(c) Is there a statement to the effect that formal instruction in resuscitation is essential?
(30d) (part 3 SP reg 2008 cl.10(1)(d) Is the name of teaching organisation or other body that published the sign recorded with the date of publication?
(30e) (part 3 SP reg 2009 cl.10(3)(b) Is the warning sign erected and maintained in a prominent position that is located in the immediate vicinity of the swimming pool?
(30e) (part 3 SP reg 2008 cl. 3) Is the sign maintained in a clearly legible condition?
(30f) (part 3 SP reg 2008 cl10.(1)(b) Details of resuscitation techniques for infants, children and adults?
(30g) (part 3 SP reg 2008 cl. 10(3)(c) The warning notice continues to be erected and maintained?

Inspection Details

(31) General requirements for outdoor swimming pools - (S7 SPA 1992) Does the child resistant barrier adequately separate the swimming pool from any residential building situated on the premises and from any place (whether private or public) adjoining the premises
ARE YOU OF THE OPINION THAT THE SWIMMING POOL POSES A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY?
Was anyone present at the time of the inspection?
Capacity
Names of attendees
Further instructions given to attendees and other notes.
Picture of site
Inspection Result
- Satisfactory - Issue Compliance Certificate
- Non Satisfactory - Re-inspection Required
Reasons (*for swimming pool register)
- Non-climable Zones
- Fence Panels/Gaps
- Fence Height
- Gate Closure
- Gate Latch
- Boundary Fence
- Doors
- Windows
- Signage
- Non-ancillary Structures
- Other
Inspection Performed
Council Inspection Officer Signature
NOTE: This is not a "Compliance Certificate" issued under Section 22D of the Swimming Pools Act 1992 or part 4A of the Environmental planning and Assessment Act 1979