Swimming pool inclusion in the houses has become rather popular. This is an activity, however, that requires utmost care especially when there are younger children in the residential areas with access to home pools. Drowning has been a leading cause of deaths among children under the age of five in Queensland. Although the percentage of child drowning incidents have reduced considerably since the introduction of pool safety inspections Brisbane introduced in 1991 but there are still a large number of reported deaths compelling the government to introduce further reforms in conveyancing in Brisbane.
All new and existing pools are required to follow the new pool safety laws to ensure maximum security for the unsupervised younger children. The main features covered in the new legislation include the following:
- Obtaining a pool safety certificate is mandatory for all those buying, selling or leasing out properties
- Pool safety inspections are to be carried out by a pool safety inspector in order to have the safety certificate issued
- All pools must be listed in the pool safety register
- Resuscitation signs must be installed and clearly visible to all those in or near the pool area
- Pool fences must be installed with a height of at least 1.2 metres.
- All nearby tree branches must be trimmed to ensure that no climbing takes place to enter the pool area.
- Pool gates must have latches at least 1.5 metres above the ground and the gates must swing open away from the pool.
- Any climbing objects such as equipment or plant pots must be at a minimum distance of 300mm from the fence.
- No doors of the house should open directly into the pool area.
- Safety screens must be installed for all windows opening into the pool area.
These safety laws are applicable to and have different considerations for landlords and homeowners. If you own a property you must have the compliance standards for your pool before selling leasing out to a new tenant. Leasing without the pool safety certificate is against the law. Hotels, motels, hostels, shared pool and spas also need to have the inspections done and safety certificates obtained. A five year deadline is given for new and existing pools to make it compliant with the updated safety standards.
Buying, selling or leasing out properties involves a number of conveyancing considerations in Queensland and compliance with the pool safety laws is one of the more important ones. Failure to comply with the laws will not only pose a threat to the lives of young children but also result in severe penalties and fines.
