It is no surprise that Australians love to swim. We are surrounded by world-famous beaches and many of us have access to private swimming pools. However, this beloved activity comes with significant risks, particularly for young children. The Royal Life Saving’s 2024 National Drowning Report highlights a sobering reality: between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, 323 people drowned in coastal environments, inland waterways, and in swimming pools.  

While there has been an overall decrease in drowning among children aged zero to four, young children are still at risk. According to the report, twenty-seven percent of fatal drownings in this age group occurred at home, commonly in a swimming pool and mostly due to falling into water. With summer around the corner, it is imperative that safety measures are in place to support our young Australians.

One such measure is the newly revised standard by Standards Australia, aimed at enhancing swimming pool safety and compliance.

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Across Australia, there are requirements for having swimming pool barriers, designed to enhance safety and prevent accidents. Standards Australia supports these efforts through its revised standard AS 1926.1:2024, Swimming pool safety Part 1: Safety barriers for swimming pools. The standard specifies the design, construction, component, and testing requirements intended to restrict children’s access to swimming pools and spas.

AS 1926.1 has been comprehensively revised to eliminate ambiguity and offer enhanced clarity and conformity for industry stakeholders and Australian homeowners. It aims to improve the safety landscape by simplifying previously complex requirements and aligning them with current industry practices. Some of the changes to the standard include:  

• Introduction of new definitions;

• Clarification and simplification of clauses;

• New and improved diagrams;

• New section for plants located within an NCZ (non-climbable zone);

• Marking of gate latches and hinges; and

• Increased cycles and frequency of testing gate components.
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Better clarity, enhanced safety

Several organisations passionate about enhancing safety and compliance were represented on Standards Australia’s technical committee CS-034 – the group that revised the standard.  

The Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Australia (SPASA) and Master Builders Australia (MBA) were two of the organisations that contributed to the revision.

Lindsay McGrath, SPASA CEO, said the revision is designed to enhance safety while providing clarity.  

“This new version of AS 1926.1 aims to simplify the complex requirements and integrates modern practices, to foster a safer environment for pool owners while promoting compliance across the industry,” Mr McGrath said.  

Denita Wawn, MBA CEO, said “Master Builders has worked closely with Standards Australia to bring this new edition to life and congratulates all stakeholders involved.  

“AS 1926.1, a crucial tool, is set to enhance the quality and, consequently, the safety of Australian pool fences. We look forward to working with Standards Australia to continue the improvement of Australian pool safety.”
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Barriers form part of broader strategy
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While the standard is a crucial step in enhancing pool safety, barriers form part of a broader strategy to protect young children from drowning. The standard emphasises the need for the following measures:  

• Supervision;

• Safety barrier conformance inspections;

• Swimming lessons;

• First aid; and

• Public education.

“As we approach the summer season, it is crucial for all pool owners to review and enhance their safety measures. Pool barriers play a part in this, but it is also important to enrol your children in swimming lessons, undergo first aid training, and stay vigilant when children are near water, said Standards Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Kareen Riley-Takos.

“Together, we can help create a safer environment and prevent drowning incidents,”  

While swimming is a cherished activity in Australia, it is crucial to prioritise safety, especially for our youngest swimmers. AS 1926.1:2024 plays a significant part in furthering the efforts of creating safer swimming environments. By combining robust safety barriers with other proactive measures such as supervision, swimming lessons, and public education, we can help create a safer future for all Australian swimmers.

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AS 1926.1:2024 is available via the Standards Australia Store and our distribution partners.