Swimming Pool Barriers

Council is required to ensure every residential pool has its pool barriers inspected for compliance at least once every three years. It is the responsibility of all pool owners to ensure that regulations are met.

A pool is a great asset for the home and family, but pools can also be a potential danger for young children. Private swimming pools are the single most significant water danger for pre-schoolers according to Water Safety New Zealand drowning statistics.

The pool barrier must only surround the pool and the area immediately around the pool. This area can only include things used in association with the pool, for example, changing sheds, filter shed, pump house, seating, decking and paving. It should not include the clothes line, vegetable garden, driveway or area used for other outdoor activities.

The purpose of pool barrier requirements

The purpose of residential pool barrier legislation is to prevent drowning of, and injury to, young children by restricting unsupervised access to residential pools by children under 5 years of age.

Who is responsible for compliance with pool barrier requirements?

A range of people are responsible for compliance with the pool barrier requirements, including:

• The owner of a pool
• The owner of the land which the pool is situated on
• The operator of a pool
• The occupier of a property where a pool is situated
• The lessee of a pool or a part of a property where a pool is situated
• The purchaser of a pool (if it is on a hire purchase agreement)

For full details see Section 162C of the Building Act 2004.

Who inspects swimming pool barriers?

Pool owners have the choice of having the Council inspect their pool barriers or engaging an Independently Qualified Pool Inspector.

The register of Independently Qualified Pool Inspectors can be found here

If you choose to have an Independently Qualified Pool Inspector do your pool barrier inspection they will provide the us with a certificate to confirm that your pool barriers comply with the requirements. They are also required to inform us if your pool barriers do not comply.

Please notify us if you intend to use an Independently Qualified Pool Inspector so that we do not schedule an inspection of your pool.

Our pool inspections are generally carried out between October and January each year.

General pool fencing guidelines

Residential pool barriers should prevent children up to six years old from climbing over, under or through them to gain access to a pool. Check that:

• All fencing is at least 1.2m above ground level and there is a 1.2m wide unobstructed clear area around the outside (so for example, if there is decking within 1.2m of the fence, then the fence must be at least 1.2m above the level of the decking).
• No space under the bottom of the gate or fence is greater than 100mm at any point.
• There are no holes or gaps between fence pickets or bars in excess of 100mm that may provide children access to the pool area.
• Horizontal support rails on the outside of a fence are at least 900mm apart. (Council recommends that there be no horizontal braces on the outside of a fence).
• Gates open away from the pool and automatically close and latch from an opening distance as small as 150mm.
• Gate hinges, automatic closing devices and latches work properly at all times.
• Any windows in walls forming part of the pool fence that are less than 1.2m from the floor do not open more than 100mm.
• Any doors in walls forming part of the pool fence are fitted with a self-closer capable of latching the door shut from a distance of 150mm from the closed position. The latch must be at least 1.5m above finished floor level.
• There are no objects close to the pool fence or otherwise accessible that could assist young children climbing the fence particularly where the property boundary fence forms part of the pool fence. Check that:
  • Horizontal supports on the neighbour's side of the fence are no less than 900mm apart, (or ask your neighbour to remove the braces).
  • There are no climbable objects like compost bins, firewood stacks or similar that could assist young children climbing the fence.
• There are no trees within 1.2m of the outside of the fence with horizontal branches that could assist young children climbing the fence.
• Building (Pools) Amendment Act 2016
• Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987
• Residential Pool Safety (MBIE)