Glass Pool Fences – What Do Australian Regulations Say about Them?

by Taylor Smith Helping Fence in Australia

In the beginning, every homeowner who has got a frameless glass pool fence installed is concerned about its robustness and the safety that it offers. The fact is that the pool fencing is immensely robust and can withstand more vigorous blows very easily. The entire game is of the glass used in these installations, and this is the topic of this article today.

Pool Fence Glass Is Safety Glass

The term' safety glass' is commonly used to denote 'tempered glass' or 'toughened glass' used in semi-frameless and frameless glass pool fencing installations. It is essential that the fencing meets the strict Australian Standards For Safety very precisely. Based on the area where the pool is located and the traffic that is expected to arrive at the poolside area in the glass pool contractor decides the correct type of glass for your swimming pool. In most cases, they use 12-millimetre toughened glass for residential pools and 18-millimetre toughened glass for commercial pools, where traffic is significantly higher and also the chances of accidents. The same glass type and width are used in shower screens, office doors, balconies and so on.

Australian Standard Mark

The current national standard for governing pool fences AUSTRALIA STANDARDS - AS 1926.1-2012. There are different regulations mentioned in this standard as far as glass pool fencing is concerned. It is expected from glass pool contractors to meet all the requirements to ensure that the fencing gets a 'no objection' certificate from relevant authorities.

A pool fence must:

• Be at least 1.2m high

• No gap at the bottom bigger than 10cm from the finished ground level

• The barrier must be 1.8m high

• Pool owners must maintain a 'non-climbable' zone around the pool

• Doors in pool barriers swing outwards

• Doors must close without the application of manual force

• Doors in pool barriers must self-latch and require manual release

• CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) sign should be displayed near the pool

• The sign must be in good condition and readable easily from 3 metres

How Thick Should Be The Glass?

Glass panels used in glass pool fencing come in a range of thicknesses from 6 to 18 millimetres. The one you choose basically depends on the traffic around the poolside area and your choice. The bigger the panel is, the thicker the glass panel will be. The thicker glass is more expensive, but it is robust and safer at the same time. Glass pool contractors never recommend or use 6 or 8-millimetre panels as the glass panes are not sufficiently strong to face sudden blows. Most contractors use 12 mm thick fences for semi-frameless and frameless glass pool fences and balustrades. The glass used in the pool gates can be thinner and lighter, like 8 mm or 10 mm glass, but again this would depend on this size and hinges. Thicker glass panels will make the gate heavier, and in that situation, stronger hinges will be required.

Is Glass Pool Fencing Safe?

In most cases, glass pool fences pose no risk or threat to the people around the swimming pool. The panels are strong enough to face any impact, and since they are made from toughened glass, they don't pose any risk, even if they crack or get damaged somehow. If the glass shatters, you will see it breaking into tiny weightless chunks rather than dangerous, jaded shards like plates of glass. These chunks are lightweight and small enough not to pose any threat of injuring anyone around the swimming pool. Hence, toughened glass can be considered safer for any poolside area. There are some reasons, however, behind toughened glass shattering, and the most common ones are listed below.

• Contaminants in the glass that create defects

• Minor chips or nicks in the edge

• Binding of the glass panel in a mount

• Inadequate thickness for the wind load

Glass pool fencing built under the regulations by reliable glass pool contractors can be considered safe, and it will surely minimise the risks of injuries. While installing, you just have to ensure that you choose a reliable and experienced contractor who uses good quality Fence installation products and accessories and most importantly, glass panels that are 12 millimetres or even thicker.