“I have decided to get a new fibreglass pool, what do I need to know about pool fencing?”

When you imagine your brand new pool, you don’t necessarily think about the pool fence. However, this is should be a vital part of your purchasing decision, both in terms of safety as well as aesthetics. A fence is designed not only to look great, but also to provide a sense of safety and security. There are certain laws surrounding pool fences in Victoria that must be adhered to. Below is some important information you need to consider regarding your pool fence.

Pool Fencing Regulations:

Pool fencing regulations are in place to protect the safety of your family and friends. These regulations must be considered and adhered to from the time of your pool installation. Currently (January 2023), The current Australian Standard AS1926-2012 is in place as the standard in Victoria. Some things to consider about the Australian Standard for Victoria include:

• The pool fence must be a minimum height of 1.2m high all the way around
• The pool fence mustn’t have any climbable objects within 900mm of the pool fence including ladders, plants, BBQs etc
• Gaps between vertical members of the fence cannot be more than 100mm
• Gaps at the bottom of the fence must be no larger than 100mm
• The gate must be operational and can only swing outward, away from the pool All gates must be fitted with a Self-Closing Device and an automatic Latching Device that prevents the gate from being reopened without being manually released

These regulations can change from time to time, so you must check the SPASA website for current regulations, or speak to your local Melbourne pool builder for up-to-date advice. Make sure that you’re always adhering to the fencing regulations, or you could risk getting fines and penalties from the Victorian Building Association.

Fence Types:

There are many types of materials to build your pool fence with, including glass, wood, steel, and aluminium. You need to consider what you have envisioned for your oasis, the cost, the safety and the maintenance of pool fencing when making your decision. It can be a hard decision to make, so consider all the advantages and disadvantages of each material type. Below is some information on a couple of the most popular Australian pool fence types.

• GLASS: Glass pool fences are generally made from tempered glass and are the most durable option of pool fencing. Because of this they are the most expensive, but you will get your use out of it. Although it won’t rust or require touch ups, it is tricky to keep clean, so requires more maintenance than any other fence type. In saying this, a glass pool fence is a beautiful way to show off your swimming pool and surrounding landscape design because it is transparent it will have the most minimal impact on the aesthetics of your backyard. It is also great for supervising swimmers, as you have a near perfect view. You can get a frameless glass, or framed glass, and if you want to customise it you can even have a semi-framed option!
•  STEEL AND ALUMINIUM: Steel and/or aluminium pool fencing are also durable options, but are a lot more affordable than glass, and require less maintenance. Both are by far the most popular pool fencing options in Australia and can be installed relatively easily by most. They are usually available in a wide variety of colours, so you can choose what would work best for your backyard space.
• WOOD: Wooden pool fences have been given a bad name by DIY installers, however, the treated materials that professionals use these days do not rot or decay, and you can achieve a very unique appearance if this is what you had imagined for your back yard. Many modern back yards will feature decorative wooden fencing that can look incredible when installed correctly. It is also affordable and relatively customisable.

Pool Fence Installation:

I bet you are wondering when the pool fence is installed? It is actually the last item to be installed, after your pool, decking and/or paving etc. Because of this your pool installer will generally include temporary fencing in your pool quote before you sign a contract, as your pool will still legally need a fence around it even if it is not fully functional yet. You must ensure your temporary fencing complies with the same standards as your finalised established fencing. Master Pools ensures temporary fencing for 6 weeks as standard, which is included in your quote upfront, and any time thereafter the cost is approximately $50 per week.

So you don’t experience unnecessary ongoing costs, it is important to have your pool builder, landscaper and fencing all lined up and communicating with each other about timelines. Make sure you ask your pool builder when you should order your fencing when you book a pool installation date. Master Pools already have relationships with Creative Image Landscapes and Beyond Pool Fencing for your landscaping and pool fencing needs, servicing areas in Melbourne’s South East such as Botanic Ridge, Sandhurst, Berwick, Kilsyth, Bayside and the Mornington Peninsula.

As you can see there is a lot to think about when it comes to your swimming pool and/or spa fence, so it is always best to speak to a pool professional during your planning stages. It is best to get some ideas and inspiration, and read up on legislations then get some guidance on what would work best for your family and your space from a pool builder or a pool fencing specialist. If you would like to speak to one of our team members about a free site visit or a quote for a new fibreglass pool in Bayside, the South Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne or Mornington Peninsula, please contact us here.

Fibreglass Pool Installation Cranbourne with Glass Fencing

Temporary fencing for a new pool Patterson Lakes