Swimming Pools at home

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IN THIS SECTION
	Pool Fencing Standards
	Swimming Pools Strategy (PDF, 648 KB)
	Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987

What better way to spend the hot, Hawke's Bay summer months than bathing in the pool. All pool owners in the Hastings District must ensure their pools are fenced properly so as to prevent drowning of children. Use the links at the top of this page for information on fencing your pool, what is required and what you need. Pools are a lot of fun! But they can also be a death trap for young children, and sadly, a significant number of toddlers drown in private swimming and spa pools every year. Drowning figures show that private swimming pools are the single most significant water hazard for pre-school children. Under the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987, pool owners, people with pools on their property (including tenants) and Council all have responsibilities:

• Pool owners must advice Council that they have a pool on their property, or when they are intending to get one. A building consent will be required for the pool and may also be required when altering an existing pool fence.
• All pools over 400mm in depth that are intended to be used for swimming, wading, paddling or bathing must be fenced to the minimum standard set out in the Act.
• If a pool is not fenced to this standard, the owner must ensure that it is kept empty until it does. People renting or leasing a property must also ensure the pool is kept empty
  when the fence is non-complying.
• Local authorities are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Act is complied with.

All private swimming and spa pools need to be fenced, unless:

• The maximum depth of water cannot exceed 400mm.
• The pool has smooth, vertical sides that are at least 1200mm above ground level with no climbable objects within 1200mm of the sides. Ladders must be removable and stored safely
  away from the pool when not in use.
• The pool is an indoor residential pool, or is inside a building that is mainly used for purposes other than for the use of the pool (e.g. a spa pool in the garage would be exempt).

Existing Pools

There are still existing pools which were built prior to the Act coming into force. These were often protected only by the boundary fence.  

Pool owners are legally required to notify the Council of the existence of their pool.

All pools must comply with the Act, no matter when they were installed. Contact the Council Swimming Pool Safety Officer for further information.

Contact

Please contact John Symons, Swimming Pool Safety Officer, to discuss fencing for your swimming or spa pool on johngs@hdc.govt.nz or phone 06 878 0500, fax 06 878 0515.