Swimming in Australia is a popular pastime and competitive activity, and it can be attributed to the fact that the country is surrounded by water. It is no wonder public swimming pools are increasingly dotting city spaces as more Australians take up the sport. For contractors, building swimming pools that can accommodate the increasing demand is a welcome opportunity to make a profit and bring swimming facilities closer to the people. That said, swimming pool construction and eventual commissioning and use are guaranteed if contractors get the right building approvals. This article highlights vital certificates that a swimming pool contractor must obtain.
Planning Certificate
The first and arguably most crucial certificate that you need is a planning certificate. Planning approval is necessary when building a public swimming pool, whether in a new or existing facility. The reason is that the construction of a public swimming pool affects the existing plan of the surrounding area. For instance, since a swimming pool will be connected to the local council drainage system, a contractor must satisfy that the facility will not affect the existing drainage system. Local government agencies will only issue a planning certificate if they are satisfied with an application.
Environmental Health Certificate
Public swimming pools are open to the public, and each individual's health and well-being lies with the property owner. Therefore, once a swimming pool is complete, it should be safe to swim in. Notably, an environmental health certificate is mandatory under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act. Before issuing a certificate, a local council's environmental team will visit a swimming pool during and after construction to ascertain if all safety measures have been adhered to. Additionally, the Public Health and Wellbeing Act stipulates crucial maintenance requirements that public swimming pools must adhere to. Failure to comply with the measures leads to the revocation of the environmental health certificate.
Pool Fence Certificate
Swimming pools are a safety hazard if not adequately fenced. As such, contractors must follow the laid down guideline regarding the proper fencing of a public swimming pool. For instance, all swimming pools must have fencing that is at least 1.2 meters high, with gaps no more than 10 cm wide. The requirements are supposed to make it difficult for trespassers who want to use the facility after-hours. Consequently, it protects a facility owner from liability if trespassers suffer an accident. Therefore, it is critical to get a pool fence certification even if you know that your swimming pool fence meets government agencies' requirements.
For more information, contact a local swimming pool certifier.