Pool fencing in Australia is not only a mere recommendation, but it’s also mandated across all Australian states and territories, as long as you have a swimming pool or spa area that’s capable of holding water that’s more than 30cm in depth.
Pool fencing regulations, in our country, unfortunately, are written in blood. In the early 2000s, the unintentional drowning death rate for male boys under the age of four in Australia was around three per 100,000. By 2016, however, this value decreased to under 0.5 (https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/trends-in-injury-deaths-australia-1999-00-to-2016/contents/drowning/in-what-circumstances-did-people-drown).
Pool fencing requirements in our country come from a combination of:
The NSW Swimming Pools Acts of 1986 and 1992
The Swimming Pools Regulations of 2018
The Australian Standard AS 1926.1 and 1926.2
The National Construction Code
What Pool Fencing Requirements Are in Place?
In NSW, any private swimming pool, spa, or temporary pool with a water depth of at least 30cm must comply with the national mandated safety standards and be installed by a professional agency. What are the specifications of these mandated barriers?
For one thing, the pool fence must be at least 120 cm in height, as measured from the ground level (https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/building-or-renovating-a-home/pools-and-pool-safety/owner-obligations).
The fence cannot have a bottom gap, as measured from the ground, that’s larger than 10cm
The distance between the fence’s vertical bars, if present, cannot exceed 10cm
Mesh barriers cannot feature holes that are greater than 13mm in diameter, for fences that are above 1.2m
And of course, the fence must be well-maintained and feature a 90cm non-climbable zone that will be free of toys, plants or chairs.
As for the pool gate requirement:
The gate of the pool must open away from the pool area
Be self-latching
Be self-closing
They Simply Work
All these regulations can seem a bit much at first glance, but overall, the effects of the Swimming Pool Acts on child safety are pretty much impossible to ignore. Around half of fatal child drownings still occur in private pools and spas, but, compared to the early 90s data, the rate of fatal drownings in children between zero and four has fallen by at least 50%.
In a paper published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on January 26th, 1998, the authors Diane C. Thompson and Fred Rivara concluded that installing a fence reduced the odds of a drowning incident by nearly three-quarters, while pool isolation is superior to perimeter fencing and can reduce the drowning odds ratio to just 0.17.
The statistics don’t lie. Between 1990 and 2000, the crude drowning rate for toddlers under five was around 4.4/100,000, with private pools being responsible for more than 45% of those deaths. By the mid-2000s, however, the drowning index for children with access to private pools had decreased by more than 55%.
What Are the Financial Benefits of High-Quality Pool Fences?
As we already established, the number one reason for investing in top-notch pool fencing has to do with safety. But especially when talking about an aluminium or swimming pool glass fence, the financial benefits of fencing installation could be just as self-evident as the safety ones. Well-built fences, when constructed with premium aluminium or frameless glass can enhance the overall design characteristics of your backyard and make your outdoor space come together in a cohesive manner.
My parents’ pool area, for example, looked completely out of place, since their property was built all the way back in 1925, and swimming pools, back then, were considered just an afterthought reserved for the elites. They went for an aluminium barrier with some subtle but equally tasteful glass pane insertions, which, while modern, complemented the architectural design of the property and provided a contrast that enhanced the look of their yard.
It looked charming, and when they decided to sell the property, seven years later, the valuation they received from a specialised property appraiser was around 10% higher than what they initially expected. Sure, that was in part because the land in NSW comes at a premium right now. However, it was also because the house’s pool area complemented the look of the property and acted as a selling point that could differentiate the house from other local real-estate competitors. That’s not all, however.
Qualitative Fences Fare Better in Maintenance Costs
You might be tempted to choose cheaper, less qualitative fencing solutions for the enclosure of your pool area. After all, utilitarianism beats aesthetics pretty much every time, right? But this is not exactly the right way to think about things. A swimming pool glass fence, or an aluminium-made one, while more expensive, can be a better financial deal in the long run, as higher-quality materials require less frequent repairs or replacements.
Aluminium Fences Are:
Highly resistant to corrosion and extremely easy to clear. Powder-coated aluminium fences can last for twenty years or more with proper cleaning and they are a cost-effective way to keep in line with pool safety regulations
They are strong enough to act as secure safety barriers, while being easier to install than fences made of other, heavier materials. Plus, they look modern and can blend in perfectly with pretty much any architectural design cues
A Swimming Pool Glass Fence, On the Other Hand:
Will not require repainting, will not rust, and will just need a wipe-down from time to time and a wash with a mild soap and microfiber cloth.
A high-quality swimming pool glass fence will provide a completely open view of the pool area, which 1) will make the space look larger than it is and 2) will make it easier to supervise children while they are playing near the pool.
A modern glass swimming pool glass fence will likely look a bit out of place if installed next to an antique, mosaic-lined spa. But for newer pools installed next to contemporary houses, glass fences can provide a luxurious look that complements landscaped gardens and enhances the visual harmony of your outdoor space.
