Pool Safety Certificates

POOL SAFETY STANDARDS

You must have a compliant pool or spa barrier. A pool safety inspector can issue a Pool Safety Certificate (Form 23). This is where Be Safe Pool Fence Inspections come in.

DOES THE STANDARD APPLY TO ALL DWELLINGS?

Yes, the standard applies to homes with new or existing pools as well as short and long-term accommodation premises.
This includes: –
• New and existing Residential Pools
• Unit and Town House Complexes
• Hotels, Motels

WHAT IS A POOL CERTIFICATE?

A Form 23 – Pool Safety Certificate is issued by a licensed pool fence Inspector, whose role is to inspect the pool or spa barrier. The form is used to report if the pool, spa or barriers comply with the standard. If the pool is compliant, the inspector will issue a pool safety certificate. This form is lodged on the QBCC Pool Safety Register. Furthermore, the certificate is valid for 1 – 2 years depending on the property type.

WHEN WERE THE STANDARDS INTRODUCED?

From 30 November 2015, all Queensland swimming pools needed to comply with the swimming pool-barrier standard. There was also a need to simplify the previous pool safety laws which included 11 different safety standards.

WHAT DOES THE STANDARD COVER?

The new standard covers:-
• The height and strength of barriers.
• Mandatory non-climbable areas.
• Gate-latching requirements.
• Preventing direct access from a building into a pool area.

Want to know more ? Read our article on How QLD Pool Laws effect you.

Servicing the entire Brisbane, Logan, Redlands, Ipswich & Caboolture regions and more. Contact Be Safe to arrange your Pool Safety Inspections today or book online.

HOW DOES THE STANDARD IMPACT RESIDENTIAL POOLS & POOL SAFETY?

Queensland homeowners with residential pools must ensure their pool fence complies with the latest pool fence standards. Certificates issued on non-shared pools or spas in Brisbane are valid for 2 years from date of issue.

ABOUT POOL SAFETY & SHARED POOLS

An example of a shared pool is a body corporate pool. Moreover, residents of two or more dwellings using the same pool, by definition, the standard deems this a shared pool. For shared pools, the owner must give the tenant a copy of a pool safety certificate. This needs to be completed prior to the lease, if a certificate is in effect.
Examples of commercial businesses where shared pools may reside:
• Hotels & Motels
• Resorts
• Home Childcare Centres
• Caravan Parks
• Body Corporates managing short-term & long-term accommodation such as unit blocks and high-rises.
Certificates issued on shared pools in Brisbane are valid for 1 year.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW WHEN LEASING A PROPERTY WITH A POOL?

A pool within a rental property only accessible to residents of that dwelling, the standard deems it a non-shared pool. The owner of a non-shared pool must ensure a pool safety certificate is in effect for the pool. The owner needs to have this completed prior to the lease or renewal of the leased property. If your pool safety inspector inspects a pool which is non-compliant, they will issue a Form 26. The Form 26 is a Pool Safety Non-Conformity Notice. A Form 26 advises the pool owner the details of non-conformity and the work needed to make it comply. The pool owner needs to re-engage the same inspector within 3 months of the issued form 26, to re-inspect the pool.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW WHEN SELLING A PROPERTY WITH A POOL?

If a pool safety certificate is in effect, the seller must give the buyer a copy of the certificate before settlement. . If a pool safety certificate is not in effect before settlement, the seller must give the buyer a Form 36 . The form must state the settlement date. This form advises that there is no pool safety certificate in effect. The Form 36 is to help prospective buyers make a more informed decision about purchasing the property.