Swimming pool owners across the Sunshine Coast are reminded that all pools - including spas and some portable pools - need to comply with the pool safety standard.
Statistics show that most backyard drownings are due to children gaining access to the pool because it was unfenced or the pool gate was either faulty or placed in a propped open position.
Council regularly undertakes compliance action in response to complaints about pool safety breaches.
This year, council officers issued notices for 213 pool safety breaches.
Pool safety is a joint responsibility. While council can regulate and educate, it is up to pool owners to undertake regular checks to ensure their pool barriers are compliant.
The Queensland pool safety standard regulates the height and strength of barriers, non-climbable zones, gates, latching requirements and the prevention of direct access from a building into a pool area.
Private Pool safety inspectors provide advice about pool safety and how to meet State Government requirements, inspect pools and provide pool safety certificates.
Fast Facts:
Pools capable of holding more than 300mm of water, must comply with the Queensland pool safety standard.
This includes:
- swimming pools
- spas
- portable and inflatable swimming pools.
To ensure your pool is compliant:
- check you have a building approval, and
- get advice from a pool safety inspector about how to make your pool comply, or
- contract a pool safety inspector to do a formal inspection with a view to getting a pool safety certificate.
Visit council's website or the Queensland Building and Construction Commission
