Pool Inspector Visual Library -

Hinges that protrude more than 10mm and are less than 900mm apart can create a foothold to assist climbing. A 60 degree cap can be placed on top of the hinge to make climbing not possible.

Protuding hinges can quite often be overlooked as an issue, but if the hinge does protude 10mm or more than it definitely could be used as a vertical foothold used for climbing.

Hinges, Hinge, Protrusion, Projection, 60 degrees

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Boundary fences may be climable on the opposite side of the pool, but the pool side of the fence must have a clear Non Climbable Zone from the top of the fence.

We cannot stop a child climbing a side of the fence that we do not own or have any control over, but we can make sure that the child cannot climb back down the fence on the pool side. That is what this NCZ is all about.

Boundary Fence, Boundary barrier, Non Climbable Zone, No Climbing Zone,NCZ, NCZ 5, 60 degree

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Boundary fences may be climable on the opposite side of the pool, but the pool side of the fence must have a clear Non Climbable Zone from the top of the fence.

We cannot stop a child climbing a side of the fence that we do not own or have any control over, but we can make sure that the child cannot climb back down the fence on the pool side. That is what this NCZ is all about.

Boundary Fence, Boundary barrier, Non Climbable Zone, No Climbing Zone,NCZ, NCZ 5, 60 degree

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Where a barrier 1800m or less intersects with a barrier 1800mm or more, the Non Climbing Zones must extended a minimum of 900mm past the point of intersection.

It is important to always remember that items near a barrier can be used for climbing, so checking a distance past the actual barrier to make sure that is also clear is essential

Intersecting, Intersecting Barrier, Non Climbable Zone, No Climbing Zone, NCZ

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Windows that open into a pool area must be a certain height off the ground or be fitted with secure mesh, bars or be not able to be opened more than 100mm in order to stop access to the pool area.

Windows leading into a pool area can easily be forgotten about in regards to being an entry point to the pool. If a window is not high enough off the ground then screens, bars or mesh can be used to secure no entry. Another option is to limit how far the window can be opened.

Window, Windows, Bars, Mesh, Screen

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Retaining walls need to be looked at under the same scrutiny as any other barrier type. Non-Climbing Zones are an essential part of a retaining wall being compliant.

Retaining walls need to be looked at under the same scrutiny as any other barrier. Non Climbing Zones are an essential part of a retaining wall being compliant

Retaining Wall Fence Above Below

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Retaining walls between 1800mm and 1200mm must comply as a standard barrier in regard to Non-Climbable Zones. Other barrier elements may be needed to make them comply.

Retaining walls need to be looked at under the same scrutiny as any other barrier type. Non Climbing Zones are an essential part of a retaining wall being compliant.

Retaining Wall Fence

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image is showing how a retaining wall 1800mm or higher can be considered an effective barrier and may be climbable but must not slope more than 15 degrees

Retaining walls need to be looked at under the same scrutiny as any other barrier type. Non-climbing zones are an essential part of a retaining wall being compliant.

Retaining Wall

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image is showing the Non Climbable Zones on a barrier that has indentations or projections that could be used as a handhold or foothold to assist climbing

Any projection or indentation in a barrier can be used for climbing. Projections and indentations do not only appear on a brick wall, any horizoantal surface of 10mm or more on any barrier type is classed as a foothold

Indentation, Projection, Protrusion, NCZ, Non Climbable Zone, No Climbing Zone

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image is showing the effect that the weight of a child could possible have on perforated material. The height of the barrier must not be less than 1200mm even when a weight is applied to the top rail.

Perforated materials used in a barrier are much more likely to be able to be climbed so special attention needs to be taken to the size of the perforations and the rigidity of the panel overall.

Perforated, 13mm

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image is showing that an internal barrier that is interecting with a boundary barrier must interect at an angle of between 45 and 135 degrees

An internal barrier intersecting with a barrier that is 1800mm high must intersect the 1800mm high barrier at an angle of between 45 and 135 degrees

Intersecting, Boundary, 50mm, 45, 135, Intersecting Angle

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows the acceptable standards for a glass gate using pivot style hinges

Take note of the gap between the the hinge stile panel and the hinge side of the gate. Maximum of 100mm and minimum of 50mm.

Glass, Pivot Hinges, Glass Panels

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows the four Non Climable Zones that any barrier less than 1800mm must adhere to

There are four basic NCZ's on an internal barrier that are all designed to stop children climbing the barrier or using other items near or around the barrier to assist climbing

Non Climbable Zone, No Climbing Zone, NCZ 1, NCZ 2, NCZ 3, NCZ 4

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows an appropriate solution for the placement of the latch release mechanism

If the latch release mechanism cannot be a minimum of 1500 above the ground then the latch must be somehow shielded. See Latch Shielding

Latch Height, Lock Height, Latch Release Height

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows the four basic measurements that a barrier fence and gates must adhere to.

All panels and gates including glass panels must comply with all of these basic measurements

Fence Height, Vertical Members, Gap Under Panels, Horizontal Members

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows the minimum height of a balcony that protrudes into a pool area

If a balcony intrudes into a pool area, a young child must not be able to use the balcony as a way of entering the pool area. If less than specified off the ground, then the balcony iteself must be seen as the barrier

Balcony

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows three solution options for an barrier intersecting on top of a reatining wall that is below the pool

The three options shown are designed to stop a young child walking around the end of an intersecting barrier in order to access the pool area

Retaining wall, Overhang

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows an appropriate latch sheilding when the latch is less than 1500mm above the finished ground level

The latch release mechanism if lower than 1500mm off the ground needs to be unable to be reached by a small child, so must be sheilded and at a height where a child cannot reach over in order to access

Latch Height, Latch Release, Min Latch height, Minimum Latch height

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows how measurements must be taken to assure that NCZ 1 is maintained when a barrier steps up or down

The NCZ 1 and effective height of the barrier must be maintained when a barrier is stepped, so in order for measurements to comply they must be measured in an arc from any possible foothold..

Stepped, Step, Change of Height

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows how measurements must be taken perpendicular to the sloping surface, not vertically.

The NCZ 1 and the efeective heigh of the barrier must be maintained when a barrier is sloping, so in order for measurements to comply they must be measured perpendicular from the top of the barrier.

Sloped, Sloping

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)

Image shows NCZ 5 and an extension of height of an internal intersecting barrier greater than 50mm wide.

This is in order to stop a small child climbing the boundary barrier and using the internal barrier as a method of climbing back down into the pool area

Intersecting, Boundary, NCZ 5. NCZ5, 50mm

Standards -

Australia

Section(s)