Mayor seeks to clarify pool fencing interpretations April 28, 2004
North Shore City Mayor George Wood is calling for a review of the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act (FOSP) 1987 and
wants his fellow regional elected representatives to back him.
His plea stems from what he describes as the murky interpretations and lack of clarity the legislation presents
to pool owners, designers, builders, industry groups and local authorities.
"The legislation has proved controversial and difficult to enforce since its inception. Parts of it are unclear
and its current association with the Building Act is confusing."
Mayor Wood will take his views to next month's Local Government New Zealand Zone 1 Committee meeting* where he
hopes to get backing from other local authorities to lobby the government for a review of the FOSP.
Clarification would be sought on issues such as the legitimacy of lockable spa pool covers, a clear definition
of the immediate pool area, the situation where doors from the house directly enter the pool area and the interaction
between FOSP, the building code and the Building Act.
The FOSP was introduced in 1987 as an attempt to reduce the number of pre-school drownings in home swimming
pools.
"When the Act was introduced, most councils believed its primary aim was preventing young children gaining
access to the pool from outside the property," George Wood says.
Two recent determinations from the Building Industry Authority (BIA) have had a significant impact on pool
fencing approvals and their interpretation.
The BIA determinations are binding decisions on technical matters of doubt or dispute about compliance with the
Building Code.
The new interpretations mean that lockable spa covers are no longer acceptable as an alternative to compliant
pool fencing, and that it is no longer acceptable to have doors from the house entering the immediate pool area unless
it is a confined area and access is restricted.
"Due to the new BIA interpretations, local authorities are now left to decipher the existing legislation - and
they are doing so in different ways.
"The intent of the changes is to keep young children safe, but creates confusion for people who previously
complied and now find they don't," he says.
North Shore City has an estimated 5100 homes with pools; a large proportion of these would no longer meet the
new requirement as their situations may no longer meet the interpretation of the immediate pool area as outlined in the
BIA determination.
"There are two Acts of Parliament that deal with pools: the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act and the Building Act.
This has caused confusion and frustration for the local authorities who are required to enforce the rules and pool
owners who need to follow them," George Wood says.
A regional group of council officers have been working to seek clarity on pool fencing rules and regulations
from the Government to eliminate ambiguity in the future and ensure that everyone shares a clear, common understanding
of what is required.
"The legislation needs a good towelling down or pool owners, builders, designers and inspectors will continue to
be left unsure of its changing currents.
"A review will end the confusion for everyone, and put a stop to some unclear interpretations that have been
highlighted by the media recently.
"In the meantime, we are working with pool owners to provide them with practical solutions to achieve compliance
with the new rules in a reasonable amount of time," Mayor Wood says.
North Shore City pool fencing officer, Warwick Robertson, says his council has written to all pool owners
advising them of the requirements.
"We're encouraging people who are considering installing a pool to do as much homework as possible to ensure
safety standards and pool fencing requirements are met. We are also advising our residents to make sure they are dealing
with reputable fencing contractors who know the rules.
"People are welcome to contact me or another of our Environmental Services pool fencing officers by calling
North Shore City Actionline on 486 8600."
* Sector lobby group, Local Government New Zealand represents the national interests of NZ's 86 councils. Its
Zone 1 meeting will be held in Takapuna, North Shore City on May 6.
ENDS