A Pool Inspector’s (formally E1 certifiers) main task is to inspect barriers of existing pools for compliance against the legislation. These are applied to each pool based on the build date, or when the barrier was last altered. These documents are the Swimming Pools Act 1992, Swimming Pool Regulation 2018, The Australian Standards 1926-1986, 1926-2007.1 and 1926-2012.1 as they apply to swimming pool inspections. These legislations were implemented as a part of a push to try to eliminate drowning deaths as one of the leading causes of death in children under four years of age and swimming pools being the leading location. In the past 25 years, more than 965 children have lost their lives to drowning. For every death, about seven children are hospitalised for non-fatal drowning, many living with a permanent disability as a result. The age bracket of 0 – 5 years old is especially vulnerable due to the lack of fear, high interest in water, and being top-heavy and prone to falling, of all drowning deaths in children aged 0 to 4, 75% are due to falls.
Fig 1 Hierarchy of Legislation for unaltered existing Swimming Pools in NSW
Process of Completing A Pool Inspection
At NSW Swimming Pool Certifiers, our process is simple. Our timeframes on receiving reports and certificates are short and we are easy to deal with. We ensure to return calls in a timely manner and aim to explain any grey areas in understanding reports.
- We get a call from a client or agent and then arrange a time to meet and inspect the barrier for compliance. If the barrier complies, the owner or agent will then receive a certificate of compliance in most cases that same day or the next, and if later, in the afternoon.
- If not compliant, the owner or agent will then receive a detailed photographic report explaining the non-compliance/s and suggesting a possible solution to bring the barrier up to compliance. (This report is often given to trades)
- At this stage, if the property is for sale (leased properties must be brought up to compliance within the 6week timeframe) the owner has a choice to make.
- If they would like to sell the property with a certificate of non-compliance subject to sale, this means that the new owner has 90 days from the date of settlement (though as per the legislative council will be informed in 6 weeks from the issue date) to ensure barrier is made compliant and all associated costs of repair to the barrier will be passed onto the new owner.
- If they choose to go for compliance, the owner or agent will then be given a 6-week time frame to complete the work required and book a reinspection with a certifier. If the contractor who is completing the work has any questions, they are encouraged to call the certifier to ensure the fix is correct the first time.
- Once all work is complete, the reinspection can be booked and we will come and check if all is fixed correctly and issue the certificate again. In most cases, the certificate is given that same day or the next, and if later, in the afternoon.
