Pool Fence Rules in Queensland

Where these come from

This summary follows the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s pool safety guidance. It is a guide only: a licensed pool safety inspector is the one who certifies a barrier.

Height and gaps

• At least 1200mm high at every point, measured at a right angle to the ground, which matters on slopes and steps
• No gap under the fence greater than 100mm
• No hole or gap anywhere greater than 100mm in any direction
• Built on stable ground, rigid, with no loose or broken parts

The non-climbable zone

There must be at least one gap of 900mm or more between horizontal rails, measured from the top of one rail to the top of the rail below. If the rails on the outside are at least 900mm apart, vertical bars or palings can be up to 100mm apart. If they are closer, the options include a 60-degree timber wedge on the rails with palings under 10mm apart, or a fence over 1800mm high with the non-climbable zone on the inside.

Glass panels

Glass must be the reinforced kind and free of cracks, with no outside ledge wider than 10mm and no gap under the panel over 100mm.

Gates and latches

• Must not open toward the pool
• Must self-close and self-latch from any open position
• Outside latch release at least 1500mm above finished ground, and 1400mm above the top of the highest lower horizontal rail
• An inside latch sits at least 150mm below the top of the gate, under a 450mm-radius shield
• Hinges that stick out more than 10mm need to be at least 900mm apart, or the lower one needs a 60-degree safety cap
• Propping a pool gate open is an offence

Boundary fences as pool barriers

A dividing fence used as a barrier must be at least 1200mm high and non-climbable on the outside, with nothing climbable within 300mm on the inside. The neighbour has to receive formal notice at least 14 days before work starts, or a month if they also have a pool, and the pool owner generally pays.

Approval

In the Toowoomba region, a fence that forms part of a pool barrier needs a building approval, usually through a private building certifier.

Getting one built

See pool fencing, or call 0489 982 376 to have a licensed fencer look at the pool area.