Pool fence legislation in QLD

[Rocker]

When selling a house in QLD, a vendor must possess a certificate of compliance (costing $250) for his pool fence. I have just obtained one of these, but was unprepared for the ludicrous strictness with which the guidelines are enforced.

For instance, the test used by the inspector for the self-closing gate is that it should close itself even if the gate is opened only by one finger's width. My gate easily closed itself if opened 5 cm, but struggled to do so when opened only a finger's width. I think the magnetic catch in my gate may have lost some of its strength; however, I was able to enable it to pass easily by attaching a 1/4" diameter rare-earth magnet to boost the strength of the magnetic catch.

In order for my fence to be certified, I had to attach a 5 m length of metal flywire to the outside of the fence in one corner, because the ground level INSIDE the fence in that part was only 1.05 m below the top of the fence rather than the mandatory 1.2 m.

Luckily I had the flywire to hand, and was able to fit it whilst the inspector waited; otherwise, I would have had to pay an extra $110 for a re-inpection.

Realistically, neither of of the 'defects' the inspector found were likely to make it feasible for a child to penetrate my pool fence, but that would not have dissuaded her from failing my fence, if I had not had the means to remedy them on the spot.

Whilst I don't object to pool fence inspections being mandatory, I would suggest to anyone who is in the position of requiring a certificate of compliance that they should assume that the inspector will fail a fence which by any reasonable assessment is childproof, if he can find the slightest infringement of the guidelines. In my view, the guidelines should be just that - guidelines, rather than inflexible rules which go far beyond reasonable measures to make pool fences childproof.

Rocker

[HOOKED.UP]

Yep.
Sounds like another area of "WANKERISM", Or Nanny State, or jobs for bureaucrats.

I strongly objected to the "compulsory seat belt " legislation. Because it is up to the individual to take responsibility for his/her actions.
I do not agree with compulsory life jackets, here in Tas. Same thinking. The choice of life is yours.
same with push bike helmets.
Skate board gear.

Etc Etc.

When did we loose our freedom to be individuals with free choice.

No one voted for this crap.

Paul.

[BRADFORD]

Sometimes these sort of rules don't make any sense at all.
I have a pool at the house and had to have the fence inspected to ensure it complied, and yet less than 100 met. away there is a farm dam, and it doesn't even require a fence of any description.

[fxst]

Sometimes these sort of rules don't make any sense at all.
I have a pool at the house and had to have the fence inspected to ensure it complied, and yet less than 100 met. away there is a farm dam, and it doesn't even require a fence of any description.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh if they hear you or see this it might change
Pete