There’s nothing quite like a refreshing swim in a sparkling pool. However, as glorious as a pool can be, it can also pose a safety risk if not properly enclosed. For that reason, there are strict regulations in place for pool fences and gates in New Zealand. At Fencing Solutions Waikato, we offer a range of pool fencing options at competitive prices that will ensure you get the fencing solution you want within your budget while adhering to the rules.
What Are The Rules About Gates?
Pool enclosures have specific regulations for gates that offer access to the pool area, including:
- All pool gates must be at least 1,2m in height.
- Pool gates must be able to return to the fully closed and latched position automatically. They must be self-closing.
- Any latches for pool gates must be no less than 1,5m in height from the ground. This is to ensure that children will not be able to reach the latch.
- Gates for pool areas can only open outwards. In other words, they must open away from the pool.
What Are The Rules For Pool Fences Within My Property?
These fences are specifically the fences that are part of your property that offer any access to the pool. The requirements for such fences are:
- Firstly, the fence can’t have any openings with more than a 10cm diameter.
- The fence cannot be any less than 1,2m in height, starting from the ground on the exterior of the pool area.
- Any gaps from the ground to where the bottom of the fence begins may not be any more than 10cm. There cannot be any climbable objects within 1,2m of the fence.
- Precautions must be taken to ensure that the fence cannot be climbed. For example, if the face of the fence features horizontal gaps, those gaps may not be bigger than 1cm. This prevents the gaps from being used as a ladder and applies to any protrusions that could be used as steps or footholds.
Are There Different Rules For Boundary Fences?
If the boundary fence separating your and your neighbour’s properties happens to form part of your pool enclosure, specific precautions are to be taken. It is imperative that your neighbours cannot access your pool from their side, and since you can’t control what people do on their side of the fence, safety precautions become the pool owner’s responsibility.
Boundary fence rules are in addition to the standard fence precautions previously discussed. Of course, it is always a good idea to discuss your pool’s proximity to the boundary fence with your neighbours to give them the opportunity to take whatever precautions they can on their side.
- A pool’s edge must be at least 1,0m away from the fence. This ensures that a child sitting or climbing the boundary fence is unlikely to fall into the pool.
- On the poolside, the boundary fence must be a minimum of 1,8m in height.
- On the poolside of the fence, there must be an area that cannot be climbed. This area must be at least 0,9m in height and at least 0,15m from the top of the fence.
A visually appealing and secure pool fence solution is still possible even with all of these requirements when you choose Fencing Solutions Waikato. To get a quote for pool fences and gates, please get in touch with us.