If you're building or renovating a pool, then you know there are certain specific pool fence requirements to comply with the Australian Standards. The purpose is to prevent children from gaining unsupervised access to the water. But it's not as simple as just putting up a fence and calling it a day. One of the most essential requirements is that pools have something called Non-Climbable Zones (NCZ) built around them. They prevent children from climbing over or through the fence, and they're mandatory in NSW.
The following guidelines should be followed to maintain a safe and compliant Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ) around the pool.
Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ)
The Australian Standards require a fence to be a 900-millimetre non-climbable zone around the entire pool fence. The non-climbable zone extends both upwards and downwards.
It is essential to be aware there are five zones when dealing with a non-climbable zone around the pool.
Non-Climbable Zone 1 - is a 900 mm vertical plane on the outside face of a barrier.
This Non-Climbable Zone may be located anywhere on the perpendicular height of a barrier or, where present, between horizontal components or handholds and footholds. The 900 mm Non-Climbable Zone must be kept clear of trees, shrubs, and other objects such as a barbecue, pot plants, toys, ladders, and chairs. This is to prevent children from using these items to climb over the fence.
Non-Climbable Zone 2 - is a quadrant on the outside of a barrier created by a 900 mm radius down from the top of NCZ 1 above.
The Non-climbable zone is measured in an arc shape. It should begin from the top of the pool fence, arching toward the ground.
Moreover, the boundary fence and pool fence within the 900mm Non-Climbable Zone must not have any horizontal bars because children can climb on them.
Non-Climbable Zone 3 - is a quadrant on the outside of a barrier created by a 900 mm radius up from the top of the barrier.
Non-Climbable Zone 4 - is required on all barriers with vertical openings 10–100 mm in width and is a 900 mm high by 300 mm deep rectangular space on the inside of the barrier and shall align with NCZ 1
Non-Climbable Zone 5 - Boundary Fence used as part of the Pool Fence
Australian Standard 1926.1 - 2012 stipulates that when a Boundary Fence (min 1.8m) is used as part of the pool fence, then the Non-Climbable Zone (NCZ) of 900mm will be measured from the inside (pool side) of the fence.
Solutions for dealing with climbable objects can range from simply relocating the climbable object away from the pool fence, like outdoor furniture, pot plants and pool covers. In other cases, a custom raked panel is required to eliminate the stepping point of the retaining wall within the NCZ.
Climbable items like outdoor power points and taps can be shielded from being used for climbing by adding a cover over the top with a minimum angle of 60 degrees to prevent climbing.
Final Consideration
Children can be very active and intelligent enough to do anything and have access to the pool. It can be extremely dangerous, especially when they are not supervised.
Meeting all the swimming pool compliance requirements seems like a complex and difficult process. Many pool owners tell us their pool is compliant, but they have failed to recognise the changes they have made over the years, such as building in BBQ’s, and garden beds, adding a deck or making other significant changes.
By having a non-climbable zone, you are preventing children from getting into the pool area unseen by supervising adults.
Explore the possibilities with Glazed Co. today. Please get in touch with us to discuss your project with our team.
Common questions
What is a non-climbable zone?
The clear space around a pool barrier, required by AS 1926.1, that keeps anything a child could climb on away from the fence. It is 900mm, measured from the top of the barrier on the outside, and it applies to the whole pool fence.
How big is the non-climbable zone?
900mm. Zone 1 is a 900mm vertical plane on the outside face of the barrier; zones 2 and 3 are 900mm quadrants swung down and up from the top of the barrier; zone 4 is a 900mm high by 300mm deep space on the inside of a barrier with vertical openings of 10mm to 100mm; and where a boundary fence of at least 1.8m forms part of the pool fence, the 900mm is measured on the pool side.
What counts as climbable?
Anything that gives a foothold or handhold within the zone: trees and shrubs, barbecues, pot plants, outdoor furniture, pool covers, toys, ladders, taps, power points, retaining walls and horizontal rails on the fence itself.
How do you fix a climbable object inside the zone?
Move it where you can, such as furniture, planters and pool covers. Where the object is fixed, like a retaining wall or step, a custom raked glass panel removes the stepping point. Taps and power points can be shielded with a cover angled at a minimum of 60 degrees.
Does a deck or garden bed added later affect compliance?
Often, yes. A fence that passed inspection can fall out of compliance when a deck, garden bed, built-in barbecue or seating is added inside the 900mm zone. Check the zone again after any change near the pool fence.
