In light of recent member enquiries regarding clause 2.3.1 in the Australian Standard AS 1926.1 - Safety barriers for swimming pools, we spoke with the Swimming Pool & Spa Association (SPASA) to seek clarification on the issue. Spiros Dassikas, SPASA CEO, explains what happened and how it was resolved by Standards Australia.

SPASA Australia’s interpretation on the application of Clause 2.3.1 under Australian Standard AS1926.1-2012 Safety barriers for swimming pools has always been that it only applied to Internal Barriers, and not Boundary Barriers.

Since AS1926.1-2012 was first published, some practitioners have sought to inaccurately apply Clause 2.3.1 to Boundary Barriers. This approach has created pool inspector confusion and compliance related uncertainty for pool owners wishing to genuinely comply.

A lack of consistency when applying the standard reduces compliance. It also increases industry and pool owner confusion, frustrates genuine endeavours to comply, and increases the cost of regulation.
With the view of correctly interpreting and applying Australian Standards consistently across the nation, SPASA Australia formally applied for a “Standards Australia Ruling” as the national peak industry body and a member on the CS-034 Committee.

Standards Australia Rulings are used where a formal interpretation is required on a technical matter relating to a Standard, including a clarification of the meaning of a clause and its applicability. Once a Ruling is agreed by a committee, the decision is then published as a Standards Australia Ruling and made available to the public.

The Standards Australia Ruling process is now complete with the decision outcome stating:

Publication Number: AS 1926.1:2012 Rul 1:2021

Ruling Enquiry: Was it the committee’s intention in 2012 that Clause 2.3.1 in AS 1926.1:2012 Swimming Pool Safety, Part 1: Safety barriers for swimming pools shall apply to boundary barriers?

Ruling: No.

The Standards Australia Ruling process now strictly provides the necessary clarity that Clause 2.3.1 DOES NOT APPLY to Boundary Barriers.

SPASA Australia strongly believes that the correct and consistent interpretation of Clause 2.3.1 within AS1926.1 – 2012 will help to increase pool barrier compliance.

This Standards Australia Ruling supports the objective of clearer rules that are easier to understand and follow by industry and Australian pool owners.

The Standards Australia Ruling has now been published and will be available to access on the Standards Australia website shortly.

Committee CS-034 - Nominating Organisations

The following Nominating Organisations were represented on Committee CS-034 for the Ruling:

•    Aquatic Recreation Network Australia
•    Australian Building Codes Board
•    Australian Glass and Window Association-Glass/Glazing
•    Australian Industry Group
•    Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
•    Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
•    Australian Institute of Landscape Designer & Managers
•    Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
•    Housing Industry Association
•    Kidsafe Australia
•    Master Builders Australia
•    Royal Life Saving Society Australia
•    Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia

FOR MORE INFORMATION 
Spiros Dassakis
Chief Operating Officer
Swimming Pool & Spa Association of Australia
Email:  spiros@spasa.com.au