New standards for swimming pools and spas

Australian Standard AS 1926 Part 3 - 2010 Swimming Pool Safety - Water Recirculation Systems, published on 1 September 2010, changes requirements for skimmer boxes and other permanent water outlets for swimming and spa pools to reduce hazards associated with water recirculation systems.

These new requirements are expected to become mandatory on 1 May 2011 when amendments to the Building Code of Australia commence.

Work carried out to a swimming pool or spa pool under a construction certificate or a complying development certificate that is lodged on or after 1 May 2011 will need to comply with AS 1926.3-2010.

The existing 2003 version of AS 1926 Part 3 will continue to apply only to those developments that have an application for a construction certificate or a complying development certificate lodged before 1 May 2011.

Certifying authorities should make themselves aware of the new requirements to ensure all construction and complying development certificates for swimming pools and spas issued after 1 May 2011 comply with AS 1926 Part 3 - 2010.

In addition, the Board is seeking to introduce a new requirement into the EP&A Regulation that will mean the principal certifying authority must, for any development involving a swimming pool or spa, obtain certification from the principal contractor (including the owner builder) that the pool or spa water retriculation system has been built in accordance with the requirements of the BCA and relevant Australian Standards. Certification must also confirm that all components and systems have been tested and comply with these standards prior to the issue of an occupation certificate. Further information on this change will be provided when available.

For a copy of AS 1926.3-2010 visit http://www.saiglobal.com/