wmoore

I can't seem to find the definitive answer to this so though I would ask it here Do pool fencing regulations apply to spas and hot tubs? I've got a spa that in the old place was on a deck which was fenced anyway, so I never gave it a second thought. Now this spa is in our back yard and although the yard itself is fenced off, there isn't specifically a fence around the spa. Do I need one?

Geelong Gent

Think you will find its not pool or spa but related to containment of water over set depth.

The rules extend past the fence and include surrounding obtacles that can be used too climb over regulation fences.

wmoore

I thought that might be the case dammit!

moneypenny20

I believe that even if you have one of those blow up pools you should have a fence so don't think you'll get away without a fence for the spa. Unless you have a padlockable cover on it and use that when you're not in it .

steve`o

http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/index.php?...=29&Itemid=102

ABCDiamond

That is actually one of the most common reasons given in Australia for "safety fence breaches"


Spas
An outdoor spa, even with a lockable cover, meets the definition of a swimming pool and as such requires a development approval for building work and a complying pool fence.
http://www.caloundra.qld.gov.au/webs...-pool_faqs.asp

Wading pools
A swimming pool does not include a portable wading pool.
Portable wading pools do not need to be fenced if they hold no more than 2000 litres of water that is less than 450 mm deep and have no filtration system.
The above is for Queensland.

In NSW and WA, it is: "If the portable wading pool is not more than 300mm deep it does not fit the definition of a swimming pool under the Act"


I would estimate about 95% of these small pool/spas probably do not have fences.

wmoore

Thanks. I did find that but I don't have a pool, it's a spa. Maybe the government can't tell the different but I can

My spa has a lockable lid and I've been told today that this is sufficient.

wmoore

What crap (that link, not you ). So even if I have a lockable cover (which is bloody heavy as it goes) and it is enclosed in my garden behind a lockable gate, I still have to build a fence to stop young children accidentally falling in? Gotta love the muppets who make the regulations don't you?

ABCDiamond

and don't forget the "development approval"

Can you imagine the forms to be filled in for the "development" of your spa ?

I wonder if anyone has actually gone through the process of that...

wmoore

Let me tell you one person who won't be .......

marco121068

Presumably by a spa salesman? That's what we were told when we were looking into it - but if you delve deeper (which you've done) you'll find out it's a load of old b*****s.

sj oldfield

The whole ruling is a load of cobblers................look how many lakes there are in local parks....none of them have to comply with the Councils Rulings???

We have no kids in our house yet had to cough up a small fortune for pool fencing!!

themerlin

But loads of kids have drown in ponds/pools while visiting relatives/friends.

sj oldfield

.............and loads of kids have drowned in the sea.

Only a few months back a toddler drowned in a lake here in WA.

My opinion is if you have little kids then you watch them!!!
We used to take our boys to Spain every year for holidays, none of their pools are fenced off. The kids were my responsibility to look out for!!

Notts_bloke

Damn right. A child is for life not just for Christmas.