Backyard pool owners in New South Wales who thought they had met all their pool fencing obligations may no longer be providing as safe a barrier as they thought.

Penrith, New South Wales -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/23/2018 -- There are strict laws across Australia regarding adequate fencing surrounding swimming pools and although these vary slightly from state to state, they are all designed to protect the lives of young children. Inadequate barriers continue to be a significant contributing factor to drownings.

Well-meaning NSW residents might have done all the right things to begin with; their pool fence measures 1.2 metres high, the gap at the bottom of the fence is less than 10mm, vertical bars are spaced 10cm apart, or there might not be any vertical bars for those who have opted for glass pool fence panels. So what has slipped through the cracks?

Pool Fence and Gate Maintenance

What some people don't realise is that as time passes and with frequent usage, screws, bolts and fasteners on pool fences and gates may well loosen, jeopardising the safety of the barrier. Perhaps the gate that used to swing closed and lock automatically now sometimes gets stuck, requiring an extra tug to activate the lock. New South Wales regulations that:

"All fence bolts, screws and fasteners must be tight and in good order. Any loose bolts, screws and fasteners should be tightened or replaced. Self-closing gate hinges, locks and latches should be sprayed with lubricating oil or silicone."

Conduct a Thorough Audit of the Pool Fence

Residents are urged to inspect their existing pool fences and gates and to look for anything that could potentially pose a safety risk for young children. Test the pool gate and make sure it closes and locks automatically. Perhaps hinges need to be tightened or lubricated.

Householders are also encouraged to revise the requirements for a non-climbable zone on the inside and outside of the pool area. While these may have been adhered to some time ago, perhaps a pot plant has been placed near the fence for aesthetic reasons, unaware that it has created a safety hazard and that a young child could potentially use it to climb over the glass pool fence panels.

NSW requirements specify that no climbable object, including but not limited to barbeques, chairs, trees, shrubs, may be positioned within the 90cm non-climbable zone. The 90cm is measured from the top of the pool fence in an arch shape towards the ground. A smaller non-climbable zone must also be maintained on the inside of the pool fence.

Engage Professional Pool Fencing Contractors

For residents who need to install a pool fence for an existing or new pool, there are a variety of options available that all meet NSW regulations. One alternative to the traditional black metal bar fence, is the more elegant glass pool fence panels. A1 Glass Pool Fencing is a quality family owned pool fencing company that has been servicing the Penrith and Western Sydney suburbs for years.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/pool-owners-unwittingly-non-compliant-with-pool-fence-laws-1029607.htm

Penrith, New South Wales -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/19/2018 -- According to NSW Government Fair Trading, "inadequate pool fencing remains a major contributing factor in the rate of drowning among children under 5 years of age." Even though there are strict regulations across Australia about requirements for adequate pool fencing to protect our young children, it appears that the requirement for a "non-climbable zone" can be difficult to meet, and here natural vegetation and neighbours are key factors.

One recurring safety concern is the danger of vegetation near the boundary fence. Trees, shrubs and other objects have to be taken into consideration when building a backyard pool and its surrounding fence. If the boundary fence forms part of the pool barrier it can potentially provide a climbable zone and point of access for neighbouring children if climbable objects such as trees are located near the fence. The purpose of the non-climbable zone is to prevent children climbing the barrier or using climbable objects near the pool barrier to access the pool. The question the arises on how to keep children safe on both properties by make the pool inaccessible to them.

Creating a non-climbable zone (NCZ) is actually not as complicated as it might appear, as the requirements take into consideration the height of the pool fence. The 900mm NCZ only applies to the outside of the pool area where the pool fence is less than 1800mm high. If the fence is more than 1800mm high, the NCZ can be located on the inside or the outside of the fence. In the case that neighbours have vegetation growing within the 900mm 'forbidden' zone, the pool owners simply need to ensure that:

- The dividing fence is at least 1800mm high, and
- There is a 900mm NCZ on their side of the fence

The NSW Government has in earlier years set out several specific measurement requirements of pool fences. These were based on the physical size of a young child's body and were designed to prevent young children from being able to squeeze under the fence or between any gaps in the fence. Key measurements to note are as follows:

- There must not be a gap at the bottom bigger than 10cm from the finished ground level
- There must not be any gaps greater than 10cm between any vertical bars in the fence.

Other requirements are in place to prevent young children from being able to climb over the fence. These state that the fence must be at least 1.2m high and that if it contains horizontal climbable bars, these must be spaced at least 90cm apart.

People living on properties with a swimming pool that does not have the required barrier are recommended to take action without delay. Licensed builders or pool fencing contractors in Sydney can help. Frameless pool fencing is becoming a popular alternative for people who are after a modern and elegant finish.

A1 Glass Pool Fencing sells and installs quality glass pool fencing and balustrading in Western Sydney.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/pool-owners-urged-to-remove-climbable-vegetation-1009662.htm