What are the rules when it comes to fencing swimming pools in New Zealand?

Why fence pools?

Research shows that fencing reduces drowning of young children in home pools.

Drowning's decreased dramatically after the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act was enacted in 1987. Before pool fencing legislation was enacted, on average 10 young children per year drowned in residential swimming pools. This average has reduced to two young children per year. Most of the children who have drowned were under three years of age.

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New pool safety legislation took effect on 1 January 2017.  F9 states that: “Residential pools with a maximum depth of water of 400 mm or more that are filled or partly filled with water must have means of restricting access that prevents unsupervised access by a child under 5 years of age”.

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What does this mean for you? 

All barriers must be a minimum of 1200mm high from the ground to the top rail 

A maximum of 100mm between the ground and the bottom rail 

All barriers must be non-climbable with a minimum gap between fence rails of 900mm

All gates must open outward

Be self-closing and latching

Gate latches must be positioned 1500mm from the ground