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Home Improver Guide 2
POOL FENCE

POOL OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY  top

Statistical evidence shows that the majority of drowning 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.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN BUILDING YOUR FENCE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. The height of the fence or gate shall not be less than 1200  mm above the ground level.
2. The gate shall open outwards only, away from the pool area  and be fitted with a self closing and latching device.
3. Rails on the outside surface of the fence shall not be less  than 900 mm apart and the lower rail shall be at least 1100mm below the top of the fence  or gate.
4. The height of any opening between the bottom of the fence  and ground level should not exceed 100mm.
5. The maximum spacing between vertical members shall not  exceed 100mm.
6. Any latch mechanism must be shielded to prevent opening by  children.

RAIL AND PALING FENCE: top

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. Further information on setting out and construction can be found in our TIMBER FACTS FENCE ERECTION DETAILS BROCHURE.

POST AND FOOTINGS:  top   back

POSTS INGROUND:  Check with Bretts 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 100  x 100mm corner and gate posts and 100   x  75mm  intermediate posts set in  300  x  300  x   500mm  deep holes with a no fines concrete (See Note i).  Post length 1800mm.

CAST - IN - STIRRUPS:  360mm  x 6mm galvanised "U"  brackets set in 300 x 300 x 400mm deep concrete and bolted to posts with 2/12mm galvanised bolts.  Post length 120mm.

BRACKET ON CONCRETE:  Bolt 2/155   x 95 x 6 mm galvanised metal angle to the slab using 12mm galvanised masonry bolts securely fitted 75mm into the slab.  Fix posts to the angles with 12mm galvanised bolts.

POST AND RAILS:  top     back

(A)  HIGH POOL VISIBILITY FENCE (75% pool visibility or less) - 75 x 38mm rails are suitable for spanning 2100mm between posts.   The upper surface of the bottom rail must be at least 1100mm or more from the top of the fence and 900mm from the upper surface of the top rail.  Both rails should be let into the post 25mm and fixed with 2/75 x 3.15mm galvanised nails (See Notes ii & iv).

(B) LOW POOL VISIBILITY 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 125 x 38mm capping piece, bevelled to shed moisture is nailed on top at 600mm centres with 75 x 3.15mm galvanised nails.

PALING STYLES:  top

75% POOL VISIBILITY (HIGH)
30  x 19mm palings (ripped 65mm decking) fitted as per diagram A and spaced not more than 80mm apart.  (Clear grade hardwood only is recommended) 1/50 x 2.8mm galvanised nail per junction (See Notes iii & iv).

58% POOL VISIBILITY
66 X 19mm palings (decking) fitted using type A or B design are spaced not more than 90mm apart.  2/50 x 2.8mm galvanised nails per junction.  (See Notes iii & iv).

48% POOL VISIBILITY
75 X 15mm palings fitted using type A or B design are spaced 70mm apart.   Nail as per diagram 3.

33% POOL VISIBILITY (LOW)
100 X 15mm palings fitted as per either type A or B design are spaced 50mm apart.  Nail as per diagram 4.

GATES AND LATCHES:  top

Gates frame 74 x 38mm (A)     2 @ 900mm (Hor)
                                             2 @ 910mm (Vert)
                                    (B)     2 @ 900mm (Hor)
                                                         2 @ 1000mm (Vert)

Square up the frame on a hard flat surface and hammer "knuckle type"   nail plates (1) to the four butt joins on both sides.  Fix 150 x 20 x 4mm 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 150mm below gate top.   Put 90º 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 30 x 19mm gate stop 900mm long to the inside of the latching post, in line and below latching bar (3). Fit a clear 4.5mm acrylic shield to the outside of the gate and fence over palings.  (See Note v).  This provides child resistance to locking device.

FINISHING AND MAINTENANCE  top

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: 

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

MATERIALS  top

Posts:              See Post & Footing Section.
Rails:               See Post & Rail Section.
Palings:            HARDWOOD, TREATED PINE or CYPRESS to suit fence style chose.
Nail Plates:       8/Knuckle Plates 44 x 127mm.
Hinges:            "Goliath G2" left or right hand spring ballbearing hinges.
Latch:               Standard "D" latch, bar and screws.
Brackets:           2/200 or 150 x 20 x 4mm heavy duty galvanised shelf brackets.
Screws:            8/65mm No.14 Type 17 screws.
Latch Shield:     4.5mm thick acrylic cut to size.

Information sourced from TRADAC Home Improvement Guide.
(Timber Research and Development Council)

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