Portable Swimming Pools

WHAT ARE PORTABLE SWIMMING POOLS

A portable swimming pool is a swimming pools that is:

1. intended for personal, domestic or household use: and

2. one of the following:

   1. an inflatable swimming pool, of any depth;

   2. a soft sided swimming pool, of any depth:

   3. a rigid sided swimming pool that is not deeper than 300mm

MANDATORY STANDARD

The Consumer Goods (Portable Swimming Pools) Safety Standard 2013 prescribed requirements for this mandatory standard. This mandatory standard is effective as of 30 March 2014 and covers labelling requirements for portable swimming pools as well as the associated portable swimming pool retail packaging.

CONSUMER WARNING

Consumers should ensure they ONLY purchase a complaint Portable Swimming Pool that complies with the Mandatory Standard. Consumers should contact SPASA or the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission if they have any concerns.

WARNING MESSAGE

All portable pools must display a permanent warning message.

If the depth of the portable swimming pool is LESS than 300mm, the warning message must include the following statement.

WARNING!

CHILDREN HAVE DROWNED IN PORTABLE SWIMMING POOLS.

ENSURE ACTIVE ADLT SUPERVISION AT ALL TIMES. DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN UNSUPERVISED IN OR AROUND THE POOL - KEEPY THEM WITHIN ARM'S REACH.

EMPTY AND STORE SAFETLY AFTER USE.

If the depth of the portable swimming pool is 300mm or MORE, or if the portable swimming pool is capable of being filled to a depth of 300mm or more, the warning message must include the following statement:

WARNING!

CHILDREN HAVE DROWNED IN PORTABLE SWIMMING POOLS.

ENSURE ACTIVE ADULT SUPERVISION AT ALL TIMES. DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN UNSUPERVISED IN OR AROUND THE POOL - KEEP THEM WITHIN ARM'S REACH.

POOL FENCIN LAWS APPLY TO THIS POOL. CONSULT YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY FOR FENCING REQUIREMENTS.

NOTE: The warning must be in a contrasting color and permanently printed or embossed on the portably swimming pool and able to be read when standing outside the pool and legible to a person over 18 years of age from a distance of 3 metres.

WARNING MESSAGE ON RETAIL PACKAGING FOR PORTABLE SWIMMING POOLS

The retail packaging for a portable swimming pool must also display a permanent Warning message that is conspicuous and visible to a purchaser of the portable swimming pool when the portable swimming pool is purchased.

The permanent Warning message is the same as the Warning message for the relevant portable swimming pool depths above.

NOTE: The warning must be in a contrasting colour and permanently printed or embossed on the portably swimming pool and able to be read when standing outside the pool and legible to a person over 18 years of age from a distance of 3 metres.

SAFETY SIGN ON PORTABLE SWIMMING POOLS

Under the Australian Consumer Law, a portable swimming pool must display the below safety sign.

The safety sign must be:

• not less than 40mm in diameter; and

• in blue and white colours; and

• permanently printed or embossed on the portable swimming pool, on a background that provides a distinct contract to the colour of the background of the safety sign; and

• placed next to the warning message

COMPLAINCE WITH THE MANDATORY STANDARD

The Mandatory Standard applies to anyone in the business of supplying portable swimming pools, including:

• manufacturing

• importers

• distributors

• retailers

• hirers

Significant penalties exist if a Supplier does not comply and is found guilty of an offence under the Consumer Goods (Portable Swimming Pool) Safety Standard 2013

FENCING REQUIREMENTS

Consumers are responsible or ensuring that the pools on their premises comply with the law in relation to fencing. Consumers should be aware that any pool capable of being filled with water to a depth of 300mm or more requires a child-resistant barrier.

make sure you consult with your local council.

SUPERVISION

Pool owners, parents and carers need to be aware of the potential hazards even in shallow water.

You should ALWAYD SUPERVIAW CHILDREN when they are near or in a swimming pool or spa.

WATER BALANCE

Untreated water left in portable pools for long periods of time can become contaminated and cause illness. Consumers should contact a licensed pool shop for expert advice in keeping the water in the pool properly balanced.

ELECTRICAL HAZARD

Some portable pools come with electrical pumps and filters must always be used as in accordance with the manufactures instructions.

Consumers should ensure that the pump and filter have an electrical safety approval number or Regulatory Compliance Mark on the product.

STORAGE

Consumers should empty the pool and store it safely (away from young children) when it is not in use.