I thought I’d share a picture of a homeowner’s innovative thinking for pool fence compliance which balanced aesthetics and cost. This allowed us to submit a Certificate of Compliance (Form 23) on the same day as our pool barrier re-inspection in Batesford. The relevant Australian Standard for this pool safety barrier specifies that “the height of any opening between the bottom of the fencing and the finished ground level shall not exceed 100mm.”
The good news for the homeowner was the finished ground level was paved and as such was “permanent and not easily removed or eroded by a young child, animals or weather.” However, the opening was greater than 100mm and it had to be reduced. In this case, we worked with the homeowner and discussed numerous options. We considered extending the pool barrier framework downwards using colorbond strips, however this was expensive and a new colorbond wasn’t easily matched to the existing colour of the pool fence. We also considered securing a timber plinth between the pool fence and the ground, however, the homeowner was reluctant to add another colour and texture to the pool surrounds.
Ultimately, the homeowner chose to reduce the height by threading stainless steel wire through the pool fence uprights.
The wire is reasonably discreet and is more visually appealing. To ensure the wire remained tight enough to maintain a constant space between the wire and the ground and the wire and the pool fence panel, the homeowner added stainless steel turnbuckles at one end of the wire.
