How to Build Safety Fences

Key Points To Remember When Building Your High Pool Visability Fence Are As Follows

The height of the fence or gate shall not be less than I200 mm above the ground level.

The gate shall open outwards only, away from the pool area and be fitted with a self closing and latching device.

Rails on the outside surface of the fence shall not be less than 900 mm apart and the lower rail shall be at least 1100 mm below the top of the fence or gate.

The height of any opening between the bottom of the fence and ground level should not exceed 100mm

The maximum spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 100mm.

Any latch mechanism must be shielded to prevent opening by children.

Rail and Paling Fence:

The rail and paling fences are simple and economical to build. They are suitable for flat, uneven or sloping ground and can provide a variety of styles depending on your choice of paling and spacings or you may choose to trim the fence with a capping piece.

The sketch above shows the minimum acceptable dimensions for two styles of pool fence. A see through fence (high pool visibility), ideal for fences between the pool and your house and a more formal fence (low pool visibility), to give you privacy from adjacent streets or properties.

Pool Owners Responsibility

Statistical evidence shows that the majority of drownings in private swimming pools involve children up to 5 years of age, and particularly those in the 1 to 4 years age group.

Every pool owner is now charged with the responsibility to ensure that their pool complies with all current safety requirements and is surrounded by a child resistant barrier.

This sheet provides information on the design of timber pool fences several of which have been tested to the performance requirements of the Australian Standard 1926-1986, "Fences and Gates for private Swimming Pools". All comply with the construction requirements set out in the standard

Post and Footings:

Posts Inground:

Ensure from your supplier that all posts which are to be set inground are of a durability class 1 species or preservative treated to a level suitable for inground use (H5):. Alternatively, use the stirrup or bracket systems. Use 100x 100mm corner and gate posts and 100x75mm intermediate posts set in 300x300x500mm deep holes with a no fines concrete (See Note i). Post length 1800 mm.

Cast-In-Stirrups:

Use a standard galvanised "U" bracket with or without a foot anchor, set in 300 x 300 x 400 mm deep concrete and bolted to posts with 2/12 mm galvanised bolts. Post length 1200mm.

Stirrup on Concrete:

Bolt a standard galvanised "U" bracket with base plate to the slab using 12 mm galvanised masonry bolts securely fitted 75mm into the slab. Fix posts to the angles with
12 mm galvanised bolts

Post and Rails:

(A)High Pools Visability Fence

(75% pool visibility or less) — 75x38mm rails are suitable for spanning 2100 mm between posts. The upper surface of the bottom rail must be at least 1100mm or more from the top of the fence and 900 mm from the upper surface of the top rail. Both rails should be let into the post 25 mm and fixed with 2/75 x 3.1 5 mm galvanised nails (See Notes ii & iv).

(B)Low Pool Visability Fence

(33% pool visibility or less) — This fence provides privacy and style with the use of a capping rail to frame the fence and protect the end grain of the palings and posts from weathering. Fix the top rail flush with the top of the posts and bottom rail 1000mm from top rail (see Note ii). Palings are cut off flush with the top rail. A 125x38 mm capping piece, bevelled to shed moisture is nailed on top at 600mm centres with 75x3.15mm galvanised nails.

Paling Styles:

5% Pool Visability (High)

30 x 1 9 mm palings (ripped 65 mm decking) fitted as per diagram A and spaced not more than 80mm apart. (Clear grade hardwood only is recommended) 1/50 x 2.8 mm galvanised nail per junction (See Notes 3 & 4).

58% Pool Visibility

66x 19 mm palings (decking) fitted using type A or B design are spaced not more than 90 mm apart.
2/50 x 2.8 mm galvanised nails per junction. (See Note iii&iv).

48% Pool Visability

75x 15mm palings fitted using type A or B design are spaced 70mm apart. Nail as above.

33% Pool Visability (Low)

100x 15mm palings fitted as per either type A or B design are spaced 50 mm apart. Nail as above.

Gates and Latches:

Gate frame 75x38mm
(A) 2 @ 900mm (Hor)
2 @ 910mm(Vert)
(B) 2 @ 900 mm (Hor)
2 @ 1000mm (Vert)
Square up the frame on a hard flat surface and hammer "knuckle type" nail plates (I) to the four butt joins on both sides. Fix 150x20x4mm galvanised shelf brackets (2) to the two inside corners supporting the hinges using 65mm No. 14 Type 17 screws.

Fit hinges (5) according to manufacturer’s instructions, then fit palings.
Fit Gate.
Fit "D" latch (4) to inside of gate 150 mm below gate top.
Put 90° bend in latch bar (3) and screw to the inside of the latching post in line with latch. (Allow 10mm for slight settling of the gate).
Nail a 30x19mm gate stop 900mm long to the inside of the latching post, in line and below latching bar

(3). Fit a clear 4.5 mm acrylic shield to the outside of the gate and fence over palings. (See Note v). This provides child resistance to locking device. Fit hinge spring.

Finishing and Maintenance

One coat of oil primer or stain to all members prior to assembly (water based may be used on treated pine).
End-grain should be given particular attention.
Apply finish coats after assembly.
Periodically check bolts and gate springs for tension.
Hinge spring should be replaced if weak.
Regularly check self closing function of gate and adjust if necessary.

Notes:

No fines concrete: a blend of gravel and cement -no sand is used.
Using metal post brackets allow either for greater fence height or to bolt rails over metal brackets without letting in 25 mm.
Pre drill.if necessary to prevent splitting.
All nails into treated pine shall be galvanised helical thread.
Other sheet materials may also be used to shield the latch e.g. metal, hardboard, ply, fibre cement.

Materials

Posts: See Post & Footing Section.
Rails: See Post & Rail Section.
Palings: HARDWOOD, TREATED PINE or CYPRESS to suit fence style chosen.
Nail Plates: 8/Knuckle Plates 44 x 1 27 mm.
Hinges: "Goliath G2" left or right hand spring ballbearing hinges.
Latch: Standard "D" latch, bar and screws.
Brackets: 2/200 or 150x20x4 mm heavy duty galvanised shelf brackets.
Screws: 8/65mm No. 14 Type 17 screws. Hinge spring:
Latch Shield: 4.5 mm thick acrylic cut to size.