Where horizontal surfaces that could be used as holds for climbing are permanently located near the inside of the pool fencing, the relevant Standard requires that “where the spacing between vertical members is greater than 10mm, the surfaces shall be separated from the fencing by a distance of no less than 300mm”. During this pool fence certificate inspection on the Bellarine, due to its size and weight, the pot plant was considered ‘permanent’ and it was within 300mm from the fencing. Rather than moving the pot, we recommended the pool owner reduce the vertical space in the barrier to less than 10mm. The homeowner attached “Mouse & Snake Mesh” purchased in a roll from Bunnings to the face of the existing barrier. The apertures in the mesh are 6.5mm x 6.5mm and as such are less than the required 10mm vertical spaces. Although the mesh is galvanised and considered rust resistant, the pool owner painted the mesh black to be consistent with the rest of the pool barrier and to be less visually intrusive. It was permanently secured it to the pool barrier using a mix of tech screws and cable ties. This solution resulted in the object that provided a horizontal surface remaining within 300mm from the inside surface of the barrier because the vertical spaces in the barrier were subsequently less than 10mm.
