New category of NSW pool inspector proposed
The New South Wales Building Professionals Board (BPB) is proposing a new category of pool inspector called “E1 Swimming Pool Certification”. These inspectors will be accredited specifically to inspect child resistant barriers around swimming pools and spa pools, and to certify compliance with the Swimming Pools Act 1992, in addition to the existing council inspectors and private certifiers.
It is currently proposed to include qualified builders and swimming pool builders in the category but not at this stage pool and spa technicians.
Prior to making a decision as to the make-up of the certifier category, the BPB is seeking comments on the proposed qualifications as well as continuing professional development for swimming pool certifiers.
The new deadline for residential properties and tourist accommodation with a swimming pool or spa pool requiring a certificate of compliance for the pool barrier before the property can be leased or sold has moved to April 29, 2015.
The new category of accredited certifier will help existing category A1, A2 and A3 certifiers and council officers meet the anticipated demand for swimming pool barrier inspections and compliance certificates. Council officers who inspect and issue certificates of compliance (or notices) for swimming pool barriers on behalf of a council do not need to be accredited.
Accredited swimming pool certifiers will be able to inspect barriers around swimming pools and spa pools, and issue either a certificate of compliance under the Swimming Pools Act 1992 or a notice to the owner to comply with the requirements of Part 2 of that Act to provide a child resistant barrier and/or warning signs.
The fee is to become a certifier is proposed to be $1,500 unless you are already accredited in category A4, while A1, A2 and A3 certifiers are already authorised to inspect swimming pool barriers and don’t have to pay an additional fee on top of their regular accreditation fee.
The Swimming Pool & Spa Alliance has been lobbying for the inclusion of swimming pool and spa technicians as well as pool builders to be considered in the category.
“With the safety of young children around backyard pools and spas in sharp focus, it is important that the BPB also consider ‘licensed’ swimming pool and spa service technicians as a viable addition in undertaking initial and subsequent inspections of barriers,” says Spiros Dassakis of the Alliance.
“Swimming pool and spa service technicians service thousands of residential pools in NSW every week. The first thing a swimming pool and spa service technician does when he enters a property is open the pool gate. Also notable is that many swimming pool service technicians have historically been involved with undertaking some basic form of barrier inspections when entering a homeowner’s property as part of their duty of care regime.”
Dassakis says the inclusion of swimming pool and spa service technicians is a sensible addition to what the BPB has already recommended and would ensure that the barrier inspection program would achieve better saturation and outcomes across the state.
“We foresee significant supply, demand and compliance issues arising that will create timing difficulties for the entire property cycle if additional qualified individuals are not considered,” he says.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that private certifiers in NSW are unlikely to engage in these types of inspections for less than $500, if they are prepared to do them at all. Such costs will simply push pool owners to approach local councils to carry out the inspection, given that the legislation mandates a fee of $150 for the initial inspection. SPASA submits that councils will be bombarded by pool owners to have their inspections carried out and will be unable to cope with the demand.
Submissions close September 2, 2014.
