Pool fencing checklist

This checklist is a broad guide for meeting general pool fencing requirements. It does not cover every situation and further advice can be sought from the council on a pool-by-pool basis.

A full schedule of requirements under the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act and the New Zealand Building Code can be viewed at the Parliamentary Counsel Office website. 

Parliamentary Counsel Office website: Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987

These acts will soon be replaced by a New Zealand standard for swimming pool fencing. The final Standard is now available for purchase at www.standards.co.nz.

Pool fencing should prevent children up to six years old from climbing over, under or through it to gain access to a pool. 

Please check that:

• The pool has isolation fencing where possible
• No space under the bottom of the gate or fence is greater than 100mm at any point
• Horizontal rails are at least 900mm apart
• All fencing is at least 1200mm high at its lowest point
• There are no holes or gaps in the fence that may provide child access to the pool area. Nothing greater than 100mm
• Hinges, automatic closing devices and latches work properly at all times
• Gates and existing doors open away from the pool and automatically close and latch when released from a distance of 150mm from the open position
• Any windows in walls forming part of the pool fence that are less than 1200mm from the floor do not open more than 100mm
• Existing doors are fitted with a self-closer capable of latching the door shut from any position without the need for manual force and the latch is at least 1500mm above floor level
• If doors are not self-closing, additional layers of protection may be required.  Contact your local authority or see NZS 8500:2006 for details
• The immediate (fenced) pool area does not contain a vegetable garden, clothesline, child’s sandpit, slide, swing or similar object
• There are no objects close to the pool fence or otherwise accessible that could assist young children climbing the fence.

Where the property boundary fence forms part of the pool fence, check that:

• Horizontal supports on the neighbours’ side of the fence are no less than 900mm apart
• There are no objects like compost bins, firewood stacks or similar that could assist young children climbing the fence
• There are no trees that could assist young children climbing the fence.

When installing a pool fence, use a reputable fencing contractor (or similar) who knows the New Zealand pool fencing requirements. If you are unsure whether your pool fence complies, or if you want to find out the current status of a pool please contact an environmental services pool fencing officer by calling Actionline on 486 8600
	Compliant pool fencing
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Compliant pool fencing	An example of compliant isolation fencing