Summer is here, and as the heat and humidity ramps up, it’s time to let our hair down and cool off in the pool. Before you do, it pays to ensure your pool is compliant with state regulations and safe for you and your loved ones to enjoy. The answer here is a pool safety certificate: a certificate of compliance for your pool which shows you’ve put the right measures in place and had an inspection to prove it. So what does your pool need to get a safety certificate? Here’s a run-down of the key ingredients for a safe and compliant swimming pool.
Pool safety certificate requirements – NSW
Safety requirements vary depending on when your pool was built or installed and what type of pool it is, but in this article we will provide a pool safety checklist that applies to pools built after 2010. Use this to get your pool compliant before you book an inspection so you only have to pay for it once.
Certificate of Registration on the NSW swimming pool registry
All pool owners are responsible for registering their pool on the state registry. This can be super quick and easy to do – you can usually pay a fee to your local council to have them do it for you.
Pool fence
Fencing is one of the most important elements of pool safety because it keeps people – and animals – who can’t swim unsupervised out of harm’s way. To qualify for a pool safety certificate, pool owners must:
- Have a child-resistant fence that acts as a safety barrier between the pool and any other part of the property
- Keep the gate closed at all times when not entering or exiting through it
- Ensure that the fence is designed, built, installed and maintained to state and national standards
CPR / DRSABCD sign
Don’t forget the signage! To get a pool safety Certificate of Compliance, you’ll need to put up CPR signage to help guide people in case of an emergency situation. The sign outlines instructions with imagery for giving someone cardio-pulmonery resuscitation (CPR) in the event of a drowning incident.
You can buy CPR signage from your local pool shop or from community medical organisations like the Australian Red Cross or Royal Surf Life Saving. Make sure it’s up-to-date, in a clearly visible position and that you can read it from 3 metres away.
Here at Tuggerah Pools, we offer pool inspections for homes and businesses in Tuggerah, Wyong, Gosford and the Central Coast area, and we’d love to help you get ready for a safe summer of swimming! Contact us today to arrange a pool safety certificate inspection or a range of other maintenance services.
