Compliance of swimming pool barriers is assessed against Australian Standard 1926.1 Swimming pool safety - Safety barriers for swimming pools.
There are three versions of this Standard adopted in NSW. The version applicable to a particular pool depends on when it was built and whether the pool barrier has been substantially altered or rebuilt.
To determine which Standard to apply, certifiers should ask:
| 1. Has the pool barrier been modified since the pool was built? | Yes – go to question 3 | No – go to question 2 |
| 2. Is there evidence that the pool never complied with the Standard, even when it was first built? | Yes – apply the current Standard | No – apply the Standard in force when the pool was built |
3. Are the modifications 'minor works' i.e. associated with ordinary maintenance? Examples include fixing a loose fence paling, a defective post, a locking mechanism out of line and not latching, or weakened springs. | Yes – apply the Standard in force when the pool was built | No – go to question 4 |
4. Is there evidence that the pool complied with the Standard in force when the major works were completed? 'Major works' are alterations, reconfigurations or replacements because of e.g. rotted/ rusted fence posts or rails or collapsed fence panels, or other works affecting the structure or alignment of the barrier. | Yes – apply the Standard in force when the major works were completed | No – apply the current Standard (since the pool has never complied with the Standard) |