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The Building Regulations 2012 (the Regulations) require all private swimming, spa, and portable pools that contain water that is more than 300mm (30cm) deep to have a compliant safety barrier installed that restricts access by young children to the pool and its immediate surrounds. This webpage contains general information as well as useful publications and links for consumers and local govenrments.
Safety campaign: Don't duck out, make if safe
In Western Australia, there are two sets of safety barrier requirements depending on when the private swimming pool was installed or when plans for the installation of the pool were submitted to the permit authority for approval.
Generally:
Building and Energy has produced the following publications to assist swimming pool and spa owners to understand the barrier requirements for swimming and spa pools:
Building permits for swimming pools, spas, and their associated fences – January 2022
2022
2018
For specific advice as to whether your swimming or spa pool barrier complies with the requirements, please contact your local government. Contact details are available on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries website.
The BCA is now freely available via the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) website.
Go to the ABCB website http://www.abcb.gov.au
The Building Act 2011 and the Building Regulations 2012 contain laws related to swimming and spa pools and can viewed on the Parliamentary Counsel's Office website.
Go to the Parliamentary Counsel's Office website http://www.legislation.wa.gov.au
Copies of Australian Standards related to swimming pools and safety barriers that are directly referenced in the Building Regulations 2012 are available to view free of charge in the reserve section of the State Library of Western Australia.
Go to the State Library of Western Australia website www.slwa.wa.gov.au
Reader Room is an initiative by Standards Australia which provides limited, no-fee access to many Australian Standards for non-commercial purposes.
Go to the Standards Australia Reader Room website www.readerroom.standards.org.au
Copies of Australian Standards can be purchased and/or accessed via paid subscription from Intertek Inform (formerly SAI Global Standards), Techstreet Store and Standards Australia.
Go to the Standards Australia website www.standards.org.au
Go to the Intertek Inform website www.intertekinform.com
Go to the Techstreet Store website www.techstreet.com
Specific information on portable pools can be found on the 'Portable swimming pool safety' webpage.
Go to the Portable pools webpage www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/portable-pools
Consumer Protection 'Don't Duck Out – Make it Safe' campaign
Go to the 'Don't Duck Out – Make it Safe' https://www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/makeitsafe/
Product safety recalls from ACCC – Product Safety Australia.
Go to the ACCC – Product Safety Australia website www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls
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