Backyard pools have become a popular sight on properties all across Australia. Not only is it a focal point of social gatherings, but it’s also a fun way to exercise and cool off from the harsh Australian climate.
In addition to taking advantage of all the positives that owning a pool comes with, homeowners have a profound legal and moral responsibility. This involves installing the pool fencing Melbourne experts recommend. This post takes a closer look at why this task should always be outsourced to the professionals.
Pool Fencing Puts Safety First
Australia has strict laws related to the installation of backyard pools. The most significant of these is the regulations that state all pool areas should have a safety barrier. There are several reasons why this task should always be outsourced to local professionals. We’ve listed the most significant.
Installers Understand and Abide by Local and State Compliances
Due to the severe risk to human life, the guidelines for installing a pool fence are heavily regulated. These laws, as detailed in the Australian Standards, AS1926.1, listed as Safety Barriers for Swimming Pools, govern every aspect such as the following:
- Height of the fence
- Exact gap allowed beneath the latching mechanisms
- Non-climbable zone
Fortunately, a professional installer will be well versed in all of these regulations. For instance, they understand that a fence must be at least 1.2 meters high from the finished ground level outside the pool area.
In addition to this, they will also ensure that the gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground doesn’t exceed 100mm. More importantly, they know how to evaluate the 900mm Non-Climbable Zone, ensuring that children can’t climb over the fence.
Professionals Know How to Assess Soil and Slopes
No matter where in Australia you’re living, chances are you’re dealing with reactive clay soils or solid rock. There’s also the increased risk of complex sloping gradients and hills. Installing a pool fence that remains perfectly upright and stable over time requires an understanding of structural engineering and local conditions.
Expert pool fence installers have specialised skills and equipment to drill into concrete, handle sandstone, or to anchor posts securely into unstable ground. They know exactly how deep footings must be poured so the fence can withstand severe weather events and the natural movement of the earth.
If a DIY fence shifts by even a few millimeters due to poor ground anchoring, a glass panel could shatter, or a gate could sag, immediately rendering the locking mechanism useless and breaching safety laws. Professional installers know how to assess these issues and then tailor solutions to make the fence as safe and sturdy as possible.
Skilled to Install Self-Closing Gates
When installing a pool fence, it’s essential to keep in mind that the gate is an equally important factor to consider. This is because the gate is statistically the most common failure point. This is especially the case if you have kids or pets who can sneak into the pool area if a gate doesn’t close properly.
Under Australian regulations, pool gates (irrespective of their construction material) must open outwards (away from the pool area) and must be self-closing and self-latching from any position, even from resting wide open or just an inch off the latch.
A professional installer has the experience to tension the hinges perfectly. This will ensure that wind resistance or temperature fluctuations won’t prevent the gate from clicking shut securely every single time.
Offers the Relevant Certification
If you already have a pool, then you’ll know that local councils require formal certification before the pool can be filled or legally used. If you opt for a DIY installation and fail the mandatory council inspection, you will face the following:
- Hefty re-inspection fees
- Potential fines
- Delayed access to your pool
Hiring a licensed and reputable professional ensures that you have the relevant paper trail for the council and specific insurance purposes. This means that the installer will provide you with a Compliance Certificate, also known as a Form 15 in some states. Professionals know how the council approval process works and will ensure that the whole installation process runs smoothly.
When you hire a certified specialist, you are also securing a dual warranty. The first is a manufacturer’s warranty on the materials. Secondly, there’s also the workmanship warranty on the installation itself.
Final Thoughts
Installing a pool in your backyard is the ultimate way to keep cool and provide a space for friends and family to hang out. As per local laws, all pool areas must have a safety fence or barrier to keep unsupervised kids and pets out.
A pool fence should never be attempted as a DIY job. Hiring a professional fence installer guarantees that your fence will look beautiful, survive the harsh Australian climate, and also adhere to strict council laws.
More importantly, professional installation ensures an uncompromised line of defence for your family and neighbourhood. Let the professionals give you the assurance that safety has been put first!
